davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

You member bout last Commun-
lon Sunday" went on the little girl.
when they hand roun' the little en-
vellups and telled all the folks what
was willing to give five dollars more
on the pastors sally just to write his
name; so Alfred he SO frisky cause
he know how to write; so he tooken
one OF the little envellups and worten
Alfred Gage on It; SO when his papa
find out bout 1t he say that kid got
to work and pay that FIVE dollars
hfsef. cause he done sign his name
to it."
"And II he amt bout the sickest
KID they Is" declared Jimmy; 'Tu
betcher he won't get fresh no more
soon. He telled me the other day he
amt had drink Of soda water this
summer, Gauss every nickel he gets
got to 90 to Mr.. Pastors sarry: he
says he plumb tired supporting Bro
ther Johnson and all his family: and.
ne say, every time he go UP town he
sees Johnny Johnson a-setting on q
stool In Baltzer's drug store just n
swigging milk-shakes; he says he
going to knock him on some day
cause It's his nickels that kid q q
spending"
There was a short silence. broken
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

she q gone. she q going to gimme a
baseball mask. You got a ball what
you bringed from the plantation, and
II have a bat and mitt and mask
and we can play ball some. Come on
over just little while; you aint earn
Ing you nothing like what I'm do
ing"
Nav; promis' her not to an
amt ever goin' to break my promise" !"
We'll, then, Mr.. Promiser," said
Jimmy. "go get your ball and we'll
th'ow cross the fence. / can't find
nine"
Billy kept his few toys and play.
things In closet, which was full of
old plunder. As he reached for his
ball something fell at his feet from a
shelf above. He picked 1t up, and ran
excitedly into the yard.
Look. Jimmy" he yelled, here g a
baseball mask found In the closet"
Jimmy. forgetful of the fact that he
was to be paid for staying at home,
Immediately rolled over the fence and
ran eagerly toward his friend. They
examined the article in question with
great care.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

and toreckly she II say. Yes, go on
and lemme read in peace.'"
Aunt Minerva won't give in much"
said Billy. when she say No, Will.
liam,' t amt no use t all to beg her;
you jest wastin' yo' breath. When she
put her foot down it got to go just like
she say; she sho' do like to have her
own way better n any 'oman / ever
see"
"She bout the mannishest woman
they is" agreed Jimmy. "She got
you under Ter thumb, Billy. l don
see What woTans re made TO- if you
can't beg 'eLl into things. I would MT
let no old spunky Miss Minerva get
the best Of me inat way. Come on,
anyhow"
Nav, can't come" was the
gloomy reply; III she d jest toll me
not to, couldn'er went, but she made
me promise, an I amt never goin'
back on my word. You come over to
see me-"
VI can't" came the answer across
the fence; II M earning me baseball
mask. done already earnt me mitt.
My mama don't never make me prom
ise her nothing, she just pays ne 70
be good. That g huccome / m bout
to get 1igion and go to the mourner's
bench. She s gone up town now ana
II don't 60 outside the yard while
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

L wisht We knowed how to read
an write when we 3 born" said Bill.
fy. IF was God I d make all nv
Pabies so g they is already dedicated
when they gifts born Reckon II we
d pray ev'y night an ask God, he'd
learn them babies what he g maxim
on now how to read an writer"
L don care nothing at all bout
them babies," rxt in Jimmy, 1T amt
going to do us no good II all the new
babies what Doctor Sanford finds can
read and write; 1t d jes' make 'em
the sassiest things ever was. sides,
l got plenty things to ask God for
'thout fooling long other folks brats,
and / ain't going to meddle with
Gods business nohow."
Did you all hear what Miss Larri.
more, who teaches the little children
at school. said about us?" asked Lima
Importantly.
Nav" they chorused. what was
it,"
"She told the surer'ntendent." was
the reply OF Liza, pleased with her
self and with that big word, that
she would have to have more money
next year, for she heard that Lima
Hamilton, Frances Black, William
Hill and Jimmy Garner were all COM
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

hickel to make a dollar?"-
Nav; / amt got a red cent"
Il II tell you what we'll do" sug-
gested Jimmy; we'll trade you a base
ball mask for him. My mama's going
to gimme a new mask cause l all
time stay at home, 80 well trade you
our old one. Go get it, Billy"
Thus commanded Billy ran and
picked up the hustle where it lay neg
lected on the grass, and handed it to
the quasi-owner Of the puppy. The deal
was promptly closed and black little
negro went grinning down the street
with Miss Minerva's ancient hustle
tied across his face, leaving behind
him curly-haired dog.
Amt he sweet?" said Jimmy, hug
ging the fluffy white ball close to his
breast, I'VE got to name him, Billy"
Les name her Perjury Pearline,"
was the suggestion of the other joint
owner.
He amt going to be name nothing
at all l''ts that" declared Jimmy; "you
ell TIM IT 70 name our dogs the
"'r'ewa yest rsmr rhey is. He g 60
~" = "an>" SIN Lamb cause
he l. 49,. partner
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06
81 MSS MERM Z
yWWILIIAM GREEN Mll}'
eNyFRANES BOYD CALHOUN
(CopyrighI by Rally z Brftton Co

have time to use his ears at all and 50
cid not hear one word.
Leaving his camp fires burning to
deceive the enemy, he stole around by
circuitous route. fol- upon the Brit
ish and captured"
Billy held up his hands to catch q
ball which Jimmy made believe to
throw.
Miss Minerva still read on. uncon.
scious Of her nephew's inattention:
THE suffering at Valley Forge han
been Intense during the winter"
Billy made pretense behind his
aunt's upright back Of throwing q ball
while the other child held up two fat
little hands to receive 1t. Again he
laughed aloud as Jimmy spat on his
hands and ground the imaginary ball
into his hip.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

SIZE looked at him sternly over her
glasses:
What makes you 90 sillyr" she in.
quired. and without waiting for . reply
went on with her reading: she was
nearing the close now and she read
carefully and deliberately.
And he was chosen the flrst presi.
dent Of the United Gtatest"
Billy put his hands to his ears and
wriggled his fingers at Jimmy, who
promptly returned tho compliment.
He had no children OF his own. 90
he 10 called the Father OF His Coun.
try"
Miss Minerva closed the book,
turned to the little 10y at her side,
and asked:
Who was this greas and good man.
William?";
Jesus" was his ready answer, In an
appropriately solemn little voice.
why. William Green Hill" she ex-
claimed In disgust. What are you
thinking Of? don't believe you heard
one word that read"
Billy was puzzled; he was sure she
had said Born In manger." 81 didn't
hear her say nothin' bout bulrushes, "
he thought. $50 I amt Moses: she
didn't say log cabin SO t amt Aba.
ham Lincoln: she didn't say Thirty
cents look down upon you,' 90 t amt
Napolyon. sho' wish I'd paid ten
tion."
"Jesus!" his aunt was saying, born
In Virginia and first president of the
United States!"
George Washin'ton, aimed to
say" triumphantly screamed the little
boy, who had received his cue.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06
THE WATCHMAN AND sOUTHRON, JANUARY g. 1912

ent now, Jimmy?" asked Billy; "you
amt earnt it,"
Would MT your" asked Jimmy,
doubtfully.
Nav, I would mt, 'thout toll her"
well, I III tell her just coined
over q minute to see bout Miss Mi
nerva's bustle," he agreed as he again
tumbled over the fence.
A little negro boy, followed by a
tiny, white dog, was passing by Miss
Minerva's gate.
Billy promptly few to the gate and
hailed him. Jimmy, looking around to
see that Sarah Jane had gone back to
the kitchen, as promptly rolled over
the fence and joined him.
"Lemme see yo' dog" said the for
mer.
Amt he cute?" said the latter.
The little darkey picked up the dog
and passed it across the gate.
Il wish he was mine," said the
smaller child, as he took the soft, fluffy
little ball in his arms; what IL you
take for him?"
Tho negro boy had never seen the
dog before, but he Immediately accept
ed the ownership thrust upon him and
answered without hesitation, "Ill take
dollar for her."
II ain't got but nickel. Billy, amt
you got 'nough money to put with my
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

ing to school, and she said we were
the most notorious bad children in
town."
"She Is the spitefullest woman they
is" Jimmy's black eyes snapped !:
''she bout the meddlesomest teacher
In town."
who told you bout it, Lina?'
questioned the other little girl.
The superintendent told his wife
and you know how some ladies are
they just can't keep q secret. Now 1t
is just like burying 1t to tell mother
anything; she never tells anybody
but father, and grandmother, and
grandfather. and Uncle Ed, and Bro
ther Johnson, and she makes them
promise never to breathe It to q uv-
ing soul. But the super'rtendent's
wife Is different; she tells everything
she hears, and now everybody knows
what that teacher said about U.s."
Everybody says she is the crank
lest teacher they is,' cried Jimmy,
"she won't let you bring nothing to
school 'cepting your books; you can't
even take your slingshot, nor your
air-gun, nor"
Nor your dolls," chimed in Fran.
ces, land she won't let you bat your
eye, nor say a word, nor cross your
legs, nor blow your nose"
What do she think we 8 goin' to
her OIL school fer If we can't have
fun?" asked Billy. '"Tabernicle sho'
had fun when he went to school. He
put pin in the teachers chair an she
sat down en- It plumb up to the head,
two niger gals had they hair
wropped with, an he squeeze up a
little boys legs in front Of him with
a rooster foot tell he sQualled out
loud, an he thowed spitballs, an he
make him some watermelon teeth. an
he paint chicken light red an tuck ii
to the teacher fer dodo, an he put
cotton in his pants fore he got licked,
an he drawed the teacher on a slate
That S what you go to school fer is
to have fun, an l sho' is goin' to
have fun when | goes, an I amt goin'
to take no bulldozin' offe- her,
neither"
II bet We can squelch her." cried
Frances, vindictively.
Yes, We IL show her thing or
two'-for once Jimmy agreed with
her, "she bout the butt-in-est old wo.
man they is. and she's going to find
out we bout the squelchingest kids
ever she tackle"
Alfred Gage went to school to her
last year." said Frances, land he can
read and write"
Yes" Joined in Jimmy, "and he
bout the proudest boy they is; all
time got to write his name all over
everything"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

by Billy. who remarked, apropos OF
lothing:
Il sho' is glad / don't halter be a
oman when l puts on long pants;
mems Is heap mo- account"
Il wouldn't be woman for moth
Ing at ALL" Jimmy fully agreed with
him; they have the pokiest time
they is."
Il m glad I am going to be a young
lady when grow up" Lima declared.
L would mt be a gentleman for any
thing. I'm going to wesr pretty
clothes and be beautiful and be a
belle like mother was, and have lots
or lovers kneel at my feet on one
knee and play the guitar with the
other"
How they goin' to play the guitar
with the other knee?" asked the prac-
tical Billy.
"And sing Call Me Thine Own" -
she continued, ignoring his Interrupt
ton. Father got on his knees to
mother thirty-seven-and-a-hal times
before she'd say, I will"
Looks like he'd "a wore his
breeches out" said Billy.
81 don't want to be a lady" de.
clared Frances; they can't ever ride
straddle nor climb a tree, and they
got to squinch up their waists and
toes. / wish I could kiss my elbow
~;gnt now and turn to q boy"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

1T looks perzactly like a mask"
announced Jimmy after thorough in.
spection. "and yet it don't" He tried
1t on. ut don't seem to fit your face
right" he said.
Sarah Jane was bearing down upon
them. Come back home dis minute,
Jimmy!" she shrieked, want to ketch
some mo- contagwous 'seases, don't
yuh? What dat y all got now?" As
she drew nearer smile Of recognition
and appreciation overspread her big
good-natured face. TheI she burst
into loud, derisive laugh. What "
all gwine to do wild Miss Minerva's old
bustle?" she inquired. "Y' all sho' am
de contaritest chillens in dis here cop
peration."
"Bustle?" echoed Billy. What g a
bustle?"
"Dat-ar 8 a bustle-dat g what 8 a
hustle. Ladies' useto wear, 'em cause
dey so stylish to make they dresses
stick out In the back. Come on home,
Jimmy, fore yuh ketch de yaller jands
or de epizootics; yo' ma toll yuh to
stay right at home"
well, IN coming, amt II" scowled
the little boy. Mama need Mt to
know nothing 'thout you tell"
Would you take yo' mama's pres.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06
CHAPTER XIV.


Come on overt" invited Jimmy.
All right; ] believe WILL" respond
ed Billy, running to the fence. His
aunt's peremptory voice arrested his
footsteps.
William, come here!" she called
from the porch.
He reluctantly retraced his steps.
Il am going back to the kitchen to
bake cake and want you to prom
ise me not to leave the yard"
"Lsmme jes' go over to Jimmy's a
little WHILE" he begged.
No; you and Jimmy can not be
trusted together; you are sure to get
into mischief, and his mother and
have decided to keep the fence be-
tween you for a while. Now, promise
me that you will stay right in my
yard"
Billy sullenly gave her the promise
and she went back to her baking.
THAT s always the way now," he
said, meeting his little neighbor at the
fence, ever since Aunt Minerva got
onto this-here promisin' business. I
don have no freedom Z all. 1t g Will
liam. promise me this, an 1t 8 vii.
liam, don't ferget yo' promise now,
tell s jes' plumb sick n tired OF It..
She know l ain't goin' back on my
word an she jes' nachelly gifts the
vantage OF me; she bout the hardest
oman to manage ever seen sence
s born"
IL can nearly all time make my
mama do anything most If | JUS
Keep on trying and keep on a-begging," "
Dragged the other boy; IL just say
May |, mama" and she II all time
say, No. 20 way from mo and lemme
lone and just keep on. May
mana? May |. mama? May I, mama p
a .fYa hr
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

"She's a girl dog" argued Billy, "an
she can't be nam no mans name. If
she could d call her Major"
II don't care what sort o. dog he is,
girl or boy, he s going to be name
Sam Lamb Pretty Sam! Pretty
Sam!" and he fondly stroKed the little
animals soft head.
Here, Perjury! Here, Peruny!"
and Billy tried to snatch her away.
The boys heard a whistle; the dog
heard 1t, too. Springing from the little
boys arms Sam Lamb Peruny Pearline
ran under the gate and flew to meet
her master, who was looking for her.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

- funny capsrs. and making faces for
~ ether child's amusement.
Lemme 80 over 70 Jimmy's. Aunt
0msrva." pleaded her nephew. 'an'
y0u can read to me tonight. rd q
LAP ruther not hear you read right
nOw. IL II make my belly ache" 81
Miss Minerva looked at him severe
~. 80
William" she enjoined, don't you
want to be . smart man when you
orow up?"
Yes. m" he replied. without much
onthusiasm- We'll, les lsmme ask
Jimmy 70 come over here an set on
eAe other slider you willis you read. He
ant never hear bout them tales. an
! spec he a like TO come"
VERY wsll." replied his fiattered and
uutifed relative. "call him over"
Billy went 70 the fence. where he
D1gnaled Jimmy To meet him.
Aunt Minerva say you come over
a. listen to her read some Or the pref
s1ss' tales you ever hear" no said. as
'Naw, sirres bob!" was the impolits
rosponse across the fence. them bout
the nesslisst tales they IL. I'll como
n she II read my Uncle Remus book"
Please como on" begged Billy, drop
ping tho patronising manner that he
hsd assumed. In hope Of inducing his
chum to share his mar :, rdom "You
know Aunt Minerva d die In her
tracks fore she d read Uncle Remus.
You IL like these-here tales mother
aghf better anyway. III give you
my htoney II you'll come"
Nav: you amt going to get me In
no such box as that. II she ID Just
read seven or eight hours would MT
mind; but she III get you where she
wants you and read bout q million
hours. know Miss Minerva"
Billy's aunt was growing impatient.
"Come. William" she called. II am
waiting for you"
Jimmy went back to his own porch
and tho other boy Joined his kinswo-
man.
why wouldn't Jimmy conner" she
asked.
~He-he amt feeling very WELL"
vas the considerate rejoinder.
"Once there was q little boy who
vas born In virginia-" began Miss
Minerva. t
Born In a manger." repeated the
1nattentive little boy to himself, ~
Knows who that was" So, this impor.
tant question settled In his mind, he
gave himself up TO the full enjoyment
OF his chum and to the giving and re-
eeiving secret signals. tho pleasure of
which was decidedly enhanced by the
fear OF imminent detection.
Father. l cannot tell a lie. I did II
with my little hatchet--" read the
thin. monotonous voice at his elbow.
Billy laughed aloud-at that minute
Jimmy was standing on his head wav-
Ing two chubby feet In the air.
William" said his aunt reprovingly
peering at him over her spectacles, IT
don't see anything TO laugh at,"-and
she did not. but then she was In ignor.
ance Of the little conspiracy.
"He was good and dutiful son and
he studied his lessons so well that
when he was only seventeen years old
he was employed TO survey vast tracts
OF land In Virginia"
Miss Minerva emphasized every
word. hoping thus to impress her
nephew. But he was so busy keeping
one eye on her and one on the little
boy on the other porch. that he Gid not
The local board OF examiners held
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06
CHAPTER XVI,
Unconditional surrend.r


They s going to be a big niger
'scursion to Memphis at leven
o'clock" said Jimmy as he met the
other little boy at the dividing fence;
Sam Lamb s going and most all
the niggers they is. Sarah Jane
lowed she IS going, but she ain't got
nobody to tend to Bennie Dick.
Wouldn't you like to go, Billy?"
You can't go 'thout you g q mig
GER" was the reply; Sam Lamb say
they amt no white folks lowed on
this train 'ceptin' the engineer an
conductor"
Sam Lamb d take care OF us il we
could go," continued Jimmy. Let s
slip of and go down to the depot and
see the niggers get on. There IL be
bout million"
Billy's eyes sparkled with apprecia-
ton.
II sho' wish l could" he said: "but
Aunt Minerva d make me stay in bed
whole week If l went near the rail-
road"
MY mama d gimme bout a mil
lion licks, too, IL / projeckted with
a nigger 'scursion; she bout the
spankingest woman they is. My
papa put some burnt cork on his face
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06
CHAPTER XIV.


Education and Its PerIIs.
1t was warm day in early August
and the four children were sitting con-
most every afternoon now. but were
generally kept under strict surveil.
lance by Miss Minerva.
IT won't be long fore we III all
hafto 80 to school" remarked Frances
and | ii be mighty sorry; | wish we
ala Mt ever hafto go to any old
school,"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

The Infant Mind Shoots.
Miss Minerva had bought book for
H1Ily entitled "Stories Of Great ans
Good Men," which she frequently reaa
- him for his education and improve
nsnt These stories related the prin-
'c1pa1 events IN ths lives OF the heroes
bat never mentioned any names. al
ways asking at the end. ''Can you tell
- who this man wssr
Her nephew heard the stories 20
o0sn that hs had some expression or
me1dsnt By which he could identity
each. without paying much attention
While she was reading.
he and his aunt had Just settled
themselves on the porch for q reading.
Jimmy was on his own porch cutting
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

The examination was held I'm the
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

a civil service examination for thu
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

The local board OF examiners held
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

position of clerk-carrier Wednesday
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-06

applicants to stand the examination.
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1912-08-27

who strung up 10 hits. Doolan,
Killifer and Paskert each got two
of them.
Miller Higgins, besides han
ding eight chances in the field,
soaked three, OF. Cards, eight hits,
Pittsburgh split with Boston,
King Cole pitching and losing
the second game for Pirates.
First was a tight fight, Hendrix
having better of Hess, who was
stung for several extra base hits.
Wilson, Pirate right fielder,
collected three triples, a double
and a single in the two games.
Artie Holman was in center,
getting two hits in six tries.
Campbell of Boston was high
clubber of the afternoon with six
hits.
With chance to gain game
and half on Boston, Washing
ton pulled up but7half a contest,
splitting a double engagement
with St. Louis.
Groome was good in first game,
outpitching Allison.
In second Walter Johnson had
his string of 10 straight wins
busted. Johnson relieved Hughes.
in seventh with two men on base
and score tied. Before he retired
the side both runs had counted
and St. Louis won.
During his stay on mound he
whitfield five men and allowed
two hits. He will probably be
CHARGED with defeat in the rec-
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1912-08-27

team on field yesterday, Murphy
and Walsh, the new outhelders
secured from Baltimore, playing
their first game.
Murphy started well, scoring
three runs, whaling one hit.
stealing a base and handling
everything that came his way in
the field.
Detroit scored twice in first in
ming, but after that Carl Brown
mastered them.
Oldring, Collins and Brown
each got two of the nine hits
made off Dubuc.
Yankees and Maps slugged
each other to a standstill, game
being called with the score a tie
in the ninth. Rain butted in.
New York grabbed II hits off
combined twists of Banding,
Mitchell and Baskette.
Caldwell and Warhop were
smacked for IS bingles.
Birmingham made four hits,
Chase, Sterrett and Sweeney of
the Yanks and Johnson of the
Maps hung up three each, and
players. with two. each were too
numerous to mention.
Lefty Cooper of Columbus has
joined Pittsburgh
Pitcher Cliff Healy of Denver
has been sold to Detroit. He will
join them next spring.
Akron has been dropped from
the Central League. Poor attend
ance lost Akron its chance to see
league baseball.
Grover Hayes, Columbus light
IL r. 49, t.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-07-05

We will place an enor-
nous quantity of Rem
nants on sale at less than
wholesale prices.
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1912-12-16

"Do you meant to stay thatsuch
a physical wreck as he gave you
that black eyer" asked counsel.
"Ah, sure, your honor, he wasn't
such physical wreck until after
he gave me the black eyeF' re-
Piled the complaining wife,