davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
A Story For Children.

TT was the first of April, and the
 sun was doing his best to make
 the world look spring He - smiled sereney from the sky on rity, town, village and country.
 In a pretty village nestling among protecting hills there dwelt a fam lily by the name of Turner. There were Mir. and Mrs. Turner and their three little ones, Robert, Annie and Bulger. The last named little chap had another name-his sure-enough hame-which was Oliver.
 On the first day of April the three Turner children awoke to see the sun pouring into their room. Mamma was bustling about in the adjoining room, getting things tidied up before the children should come in for dress Ing The door was showed open and Rob, clothes in hands, cried cheerily; rGood morning, Mamma" Then pair of fat little feet came running In, carrying the round body of Buls ger. "Dood mownin,' Mammal" he cried, and ran into Mothers arms. A minute later in came smiling An hie, shaking her sunny curls. "oh, Mamma" she began. "see the sun shine! Is it really and truly spring? And may we go to the woods today?"
 Well, the sun is glorious today. barling." said Mother. But what hbout school. dear? You cannot re- main out of school to go to the woods"
 But we little ones get out so early" said Annie. q get out at half-past two. Then we have lots bf time to go to the woods. Please, Mamma, let's go today, for the sun s shining like summer"
 ''Yes. Mamma. p'ease les go to the woods" begged Bulger getting his stockings drawn over his fat feet.
 Well, but what about Rob?" asked smiling Mother. He cannot get lway from school till four. and then is too late to go to the woods"
 Rob stood dashing water over his sreckled face. and quickly turned round. water dripping and eyes squnting, to say between blows; wy, Mamma, l might ask Teacher 10 let me stay in during the noon hour and get my geography and bpelling and say them to her at af- !ernoon recess. Then I could get excused at half-past two-with An aie, you see, and we'd come home to- kether."
 During the forenoon recess Rob laid Sis plan before Teacher and she readily consented to it. So at half past two he and Annie left school Tor the day and ran home. There lad been lots of fun going on among he boys and girls at recess and the ioon hour, fooling each other in the customary April-fool's way. but Rob lad turned a deaf ear to their fun to as to sar his lessons and 0 ex- used at half-past two.
 When Rob and Annie reached home hey found Mother and Bulger ready ''-S +he 1aunt to the woods Bulger
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
A CONCERT TN THE WOODS

was impatient, and was running about in an excited manner. But as soon as Rob and Annie came the de- lay was ended. Mother had a little basket of things-some cookies for the children and some nuts for the squirrels. She had also put in some pieces of bread to throw to the birds.
 They went in the pony cart, Papa's S Christmas gift to the three little ones, and Mamma let Rob do the driving. But old Peggy, the driving mare, was so gentle that even Bulger might have held the lines and no harm come of it.
 After driving awhile they came to the woods. Mother turned Peggy from the road and drove her to big tree. Then she helped Bulger to get out of the cart Rob and Annie jumped out without assistance. Mother then got the basket from under the front seat and gave 1t to Bulger to carry. This made Bulger feel quite like a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

fun in it at all, and pouted second or two till Mamma said he might throw another nut This time ne went quite close to where the squirrel sat. and then pitched the nut right in front of the surprised little creature. Instantly Fuzzy-tail turned and fled, and would not come out again. They saw him run up another tree and dart into big black hole.
 Hes gone into his house." said Mother. 50 we'd best go back to the place where the concert was held. It's getting late, and we must feed the concert singers and thengo home"
 What about feeding us. too?' sirinned Rob. knowing about the cook ies in the basket.
 "Yes. give me some tookies," said Bulger.
 I'd almost forgotten my own little birdies.'' smiled Mrs. Turner. And she opened the basket and took out the sugared cookies. handing them round to Rob. Annie and Bulger. Bull ger being the smallest got two big
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

ness which prevailed before they were invented Our first. books were mere ly stone tablets bearing crude inscrip- tions which told of the life of the people of their time. Coins were used as fragments of history. and helped to lead to the more perfect style of writing and picturing. In all ages man has endeavored to leave behind him in some manner the Writ ten history of his time, be it on stone metal. papyrus. sheepskin. or paper.
 The book as we have it today has been countless centuries coming to us, for it has evolved from one form to another, making slow but sure ad- vancement towards Its perfection. History which would have covered miles of stone in the old days of his tory-telling on tablets can now be con- fined within small hand volume. and one printed page will give us the full details of the chronicled events on an Egyptian obelisll, so closely covered with itsfstrange hieroglyphios.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
N Our Puzzle Corner aS 1
TRANSPOSITfONS.

l. Transpose beautiful flower and get to put part of one's head into a vessel.
 ?. Transpose important physical functions of people and get a val uable metal.
 3. Transpose a narrow band of cotton or linen and get a fuel B1As used in one of the British Isles. A 4. Transpose the smallest parSt6le possible and get deep trench.
 CURTAILINGS. 1. Curtail precious gem and get luscious fruit.
 ?. Curtail social gathering of peo- pie and get to withdraw from a com panion.
 8. Curtail something worn by a ruler and get a certain kind of bird. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES. BEHEADINGS: -1. Gldd,ldd 9 Silent-Lent. 8. Tibet-oet. CURTAILINGS: Il. Fine-fn ? Pity-pit. 3. Piece-pie. WORD SQUARE:-C 0 RA
 O I E N RE- 4 D HIDDEN NAME PICTURE. .-Georoe Gin hat, ears, sleeues, hand and breast); Smith Gin foliage). ADDITIONS: l. Price. 9. S-tnr 3. Plate
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

, rang with their resounding notes. Well. it's a concert in the woods. " said Rob. And Mother said he had given it a pretty name. Now. dear ones, let's all sing some sweet, fla miliar song, and see if the birds will join in with us at the chorus" Then Mother started a song the children knew well. and all sang out as loudly as they could. Bulger did not all ways keep the key, sometimes going away up while the others were down and again going away down while the others were up. But take 1t all in all. the singing sounded very sweetly and the birds among the budding trees thought so too, for they kept perfectly quiet during the song. But as soon as the singers had ceased, the birds began caroling more lustily than before. It was indeed a con- cert in the woods.
 Mrs. Turner led the children along the path till they came to a place thickly grown with trees. In some places even Rob could scarcely push his way through. And it was here that Mother told them they would see
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

and you'll see a fuzzy-tail." And An nie did look up and did see a fuzzy tail And then she in turn whispered 1t to Mamma and Mamma in turn whispered it to Bulger who. on sec ing the squirrel, laughed out very loudly and exclaimed (even though Mamma was holding to his arm and saying Be quiet, Babyl'D: "Oh. see dat squi'el up on dat tree. Jes' lookee at his taill Looks like old Tabby's tall when a dog comes round"
 But to Mothers and Rob's and An nie's surprise the squirrel did not budge, but sat on the limb. his tail over his back like a great cloak though he did not need wrapping up on such a warm, lovely day.
 Then Mamma told Rob to throw some nuts under the tree on which Fuzzy-tail sat, and Rob did so Pretty soon the little fellow gave a quick movement and the next minute he was on the ground, eating a nut. Then Annie was allowed to throw some nuts and next Bulger was given one big nut to throw. Bulger did his best, but the nut went off in the wrong direction, and everybody laugh ed. It looked so funny to see Bulger trying so hard to threw the nut in the direction Rob and Annie had thrown theirs. and to see it go off another way Bulger did not see the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

obliged to have help in doing it, some thing very embarrassing to "Squirmy Pete" who prided himself on being able 'to break or kill any horse crit ter"
 The day of the opening of this story had been a trying one for Dan. He had had the saddle, with tight girth, placed upon his back twice and "Squirmy Pete astride it. And he had felt the misery of 1t all. and the humiliation of losing his liberty. And he had fought in self-defence in vain. "Squirmy Pete had managed not only to get the saddle upon his back, the girth jerked to the bursting point, but had jumped upon Dan and had ridden him several times about the horse lot.
 And now 1t was evening and Dan was standing in the stable next to old Dobbin. And Dobbin was think ing as he rested. After a little while he said, (speaking In his own Horse tongue, of course): Tt is this way, my friend, you are in the hands of heartless people. You have a long and a bitter fight on your hands. I know there is nothing so nice as peace and friendly relations between horse and master, but where one is unkind to the other, it results badly. This happens to be the case with you just now. If the good old farmer were at home he would never consent to his son having you broken to the saddle, for you are not old enough for that yet. But our good old mas ter is away and the young master runs things to suit himself, which is not always for the best.'
 Dear old uncle" said Dan, what would you advise me to do in the mat ter? I have tried in vain to prevent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
DOZEN AND THE COLT

n oBBIN stood resting in his stall, W H eating from a manager of hay. W Next to him was tied a newly Sn~ broken colt, named Dan. Dan had fiery eyes, fine, teavy mane. a long. wavy tail, and a lovely sleek body. He was the pride of the pas lure, each horse there admiring him for his beauty and briskness.
 But woe had befallen Dan. One day before the opening of this story he had had his liberty taken from him, he had been broken" And it had been the farmers son, a youth home from college, who had put this yoke upon Dan. The youths name was Archibald. and Archibald some times forgot that creatures other than himself had any rights in the world. On his arrival home Archibald had seen the beautiful, spirited Dan, and had said to himself: That shall be my riding horse. He's a beauty"
 And wise old Dobbin, who had been born and reared on that farm, had overheard the young mans words. And Dobbin had feared for Dams fu- lure. Dobbin knew what youths fresh from college were sometimes like, and he knew they sometimes used the dumb creatures very badly. So Dob Dir was glad to have Dan tied next to him in the sta ble so soon after Archibald had taken 1t into his head to have the splendid creature broken to the saddle.
 "Squirmy Pete" a hard-handed fel- low who worked on the farm had been given the pleasure of breaking" Dan. And he had found the task no easy one. For three days he had tried putting the saddle upon the spir- ited Dan, and each time had been
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

der with fear. There is the magnifi- cent Tidal Wave. coming with the force of a destroying army. There is the Simeon of the Desert, carrying horror and desolation, but neverthe- less causing us to exclaim, How mighty and resistless are the forces of Nature!" And do we not stand in awe and wonder when the bursting of volcano shoots into the air col- umns of steam, fire and ashes? Then there are the Tornado, the Cyclone. the Flood, all striking terror to our hearts and at the same time causing us to appreciate their power over us-their great strength against which man and his works are futile. The iceberg in the sea may cause the mariner to feel alarm. but at the same time his heart will swell with a feeling of admiration for the mighty thing which menaces him. This is because we are one with the Creator and both fear and love the things which are His. The mighty snow capped mountain peaks which are inaccessible Inspire us more than do those of easy access. But on their ice-coated peaks we know that Death forever holds sway.
 A red sunset foretells dry weather, because it indicates that the air to- ward the west, from which direction rains are generally expected. contains little moisture.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

| the squirrels if they would patiently wait and keep very quiet the while. Now" she said. opening the basket and taking out some nuts, well feed them when they appear. If they see food thrown out they'll come after it."
 Then they were all very, very quiet: but the birds about in the trees kept on singing as though they would burst their pretty throats. They cer- tainly were welcoming Spring on this lovely sunshiny day. April first. But the squirrels did not mind the songs of birds. for they were used to such music. And after about ten minutes Rob whispered ever so softly to An nie: Look right up on that long limb--on the big tree to your left
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

"Squirmy Pete," who had not said what he did through sympathy for Dan. He merely wanted to prove his theory as to the ripe age for horse. It would not have mattered to him how much Dan suffered from being ridden too soon.
 And Danl He went off leisurely while in view of Archibald and "Squirmy." But once out of their sight he ran and frisked and kicked up his heels in the merriest way. And when. about ten o'clock, old Dobbin was also turned into the pasture, Dan sidled up to him in a corner under some trees and whispered: My good friend, you have saved my life, so to speak. I acted on your advice and here I am, turned out to grow and to dee-velop."
 "Ah. that is we'll for I overheard the gardener saying this morning, while driving me to that new potato field, that our good old Master, Archi- bald's father. you know, will return in a couple of months. If there lives
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

Squirmy Pete from saddling and riding me, but he is too strong and agile for me, and has-in a way subdued me-"
 Well, l shall have to advise stren- uous action on your part" said Dob bin, munching a mouthful of hay T hate to do 1t, for I am a peaceful horse, and love kindness of disposi- ton. But when one must retaliate in preservation, it is foolish to beat about the bush. You1l have to fight back my nephew"
 But, Uncle Dobbin, l have shown ire and spirit. I have kicked and nipped and reared in air all to no avail. l tell you, Squirmy Pete has me in his power" And young, spir- tied, beautiful Dan looked sad.
 'lay at being low-spirited and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

Big Boy.
 Now. here we are, in the woods said Mother, leading her three treas ures along a little path. Everywhere the sun shone so gloriously and the children ran and skipped and shout ed. Just after Rob had given vent to a long, musical whistle a bird hid den somewhere among the budding branches answered him. It sang out in a high, sweet note. The children stopped in wonder. "Oh." said Bull ger. "Dess hear 'at bird sing!' And Mother said it was very sweet and friendly on the birds part to reply to Rob in that way.
 And then of sudden another bird set up singing. and pretty soon an other and another. and the woods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

am composed of seven letters. CD My l, 2. is to strike. CD My 4. 5. 6, is the name of an old polit- ical party. (3) My 3. 4, 5. 6, ' is a tale or narrative. t4) My 6, 5, 4, is to decay. (5) My l, 2, 3 is a pos sessive pronoun. (6) My 6. 5. ' is a boys name. CD My 1, 5. 4 is ex- tremely warm. (S) My 3. 1, 2. is to mix quickly with spoon. My whole is an interesting study.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
RUSSIAN PRAYER HALLS.

@ VERY country home in Russia Is
 F equipped with prayer hall" N frame shed attached to some portion of the house. The prayer hall is used solely for worship. There is no ceiling to the shed and its floor is bare. The walls are lime washed and destitute of adornments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
Majestic Destroyers.

vYnHEN we stop to think about :ie Ik grandeur of many of the de- " structive forces of life, we are
 bliged to admire even while we shud-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
Putting the Knife Into the Decanter
Parlor Trick For Boys.

E ERE Is very good trick which
 may be performed by boys after a good deal of practice. Take a water decanter and place it
The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06
WENT AWAY WITH THE BOOTY
Elderly Irish Lady Proved She Was
Quite Capable Of Rising to
the Occasion.

Lord Spencer, when viceroy OF Ire
land. used to keep open house. and all
ladies' and gentlemen who had attend
ed drawing-rooms or levees had an un-
written right to attend the st. Pat
rick's day ball. Some very queer peo-
pie used to present themselves.
Not contented with eating and drink
ing all they could, many persons used
to make predatory raids on the tables
and carry off eatables of all sorts. On
one occasion the comptroller saw
stout, elderly lady take n whole fowl
and stuff it with considerable deftness
into a somewhat capacious silk and
embroidered bag. He at once went
up to her and, pointing with his finger
at the bag, said:
Madam. won't you take some ham
with that?"
The good lady was not In the least
abashed, but replied:
"Ah, captain, sure It's joker you
are" and stuck to her booty.-From
Sir Alfred Turner's Autobiography.
The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06
THE RIGHT SOAP FOR BABY'S
SKIN

In the care Of baby's skin and hair.
Cuticura Soap is the mothers IA
vorite. Not only is it unrivaled in
purity and refreshing fragrance, but
its gentle emolient properties are
usually sufficient to allay minor irri-
tations, remove redness, roughness
and chafing. soothe sensitive condi-
tons, and promote skin and hair
health generally. Assisted by Cut-
cura Ointment, it is most valuable in
the treatment of eczemas, rashes and
other itching, burning infantile erup-
tions. Cuticura Soap wears to wafer.
often outlasting several cakes of ordi-
nary soap and making its use most
economical.
Cuticura Soap and Ointment sold
throughout the world. Sample of each
free, with 32-p. Skin Book. Address
postcard "Cuticura, Dept. L, Boston"
Adv.
The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06
Spanks Her Son In Public.

Kansas City.-Mrs. Annette Wells,
OF San Francisco. is rich and belongs
to society, but she is old-fashioned
enough to do her own spanking and
cares not who knows It.
Mrs. Wells and her son Harold,
aged seven, sat on a cushioned divan
In the Hotel Baltimore to await the
husband and the father. When the
mother temporarily left her seat Har.
old placed a bent pin with the point
sticking up on the seat his mother had
vacated Dignified and calm, Mrs.
Wells returned and resumed her seat.
There was a moments hesitation,
then she arose with look of pain.
To her son, now in convulsions, trying
to suppress laughter, she said:
Come here, SON"
The son came, ard regretted 1t. For
two minutes the diamonds ornament.
ing her hand sparkied as she spanked
her son.
The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06

the heart OF a coward. for he failed
to appear"
Did you intend to fight him?"
mo. we planned an arrest. l re-
ported to MacHugh what | had heard.
and he had Carter close at hand with
squad of the guard"
"A very pretty trick on mere suspi-
cion." commented the colonel in some
disgust But go on with your story"
Grant sucked in his breath quickly.
evidently surprised at the remark.
Claire was waiting for me upstairs
In the dining room. but after Carter
had scattered his men to the Outposts
l took turn about the Grouods IN
hope of thus running across the fellow.
Luck favored me. but. damn Fin. he
jumped into me like a fght'rs cock
struck me in the face. and iaunted
: me into meeting him there anL then"
Good boy! the right stuff. ch Sell
don?"
Il supposed 1t all bluff." went on
Grant. paying no heed to :he inter.
ruption, although his cheeks flushed
but we went at 1t, behind tke pavil-
lon. and | had pricked HIN twice.
when the guard came up and separat-
ed us. At that the fellow took to his
heels, and by Cad! got away-swam
the Delaware, while we were beating
the west shore. The next saw of him
he was in command of those r.gamuf-
fins who attacked us out yonGer. Now
he shows up here looting this house
on the trail of Red Fagin. I'd hang
pffhop5 ~ wac
Mortimer looked across at me ear
nestly. but with an expression of doubt
knew what to say or do. Grant had
no corroborative proof of his asser-
tions, unless | was returned to Phila-
delphia. | could emp. itically deny
that | was the man. insist on my right
to a fair trial. But how could | ac-
count in any reasonable way for my
presence at Elmhurst or even success
fully sustain my claim to being Con
tinental officer. | could rot tell
Colonel Mortimer that l had been TAX
en- prisoner by his daughter. masque-
rading as a lieutenant of Dragons
Apparently he knew nothing of this
escapade. and she would scarcely for
give me for exposure; besides, for all
l knew to the contrary. the girl might
have thus been attempting to serve
the colonies, and n word of betrayal
might seriously injure our cause. All
this flashed over me before Mortimer
spoke.
ITO RE CONTINITEDl
The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06
NEWLYWEDS TAKE A SKULL
Oregonlans Have Grim Companion
on Honeymoon Tour-May Pre-
vent Charivari.

Portland Ore.-Romans. who placed
a draped skeleton at their feasts, and
Egyptians, who brought sarcophagi in
to their banquet chambers. haven't
anything on Ray De Spain, recently
In the coroner's office, who left the
other night on his wedding trip on
the steamer George w. Elder. The
skull of suicide was hung above the
berth, in the stateroom De Spain and
his bride occupied. according to a
promise made by De Spain to his
friends.
Probably not one Of the 10 pas
sengers on the Elder knew that as
soon as De Spain boarded the boat he
took the whitened skull from his suit
case and hung 1t In n prominent posi-
ton in his cabin. II any knew 1t. they
were far from likely to invs de his
quarters for the purpose of giving him
a charivari
De Spain will take the skull with
him all the way on his trip, which Is
by boat to San Francisco, and from
there to Denver. with several side
trips He will later have 1t made into
tobacco jar. The skull is part of
remains found on the Barnes road
some months ago. When the body
was unclaimed the bones, with the ex-
ception of the head. went to "medicos.
The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06
blood gushing from a wound in his

blood gushing from wound in his
nose
That amt no eagle. It's n hawk
cried the wounded policeman.
That's easy" shouted Dennis
Breen. n brother patrolman. Breen
charged. but retreated with wounded
hand
Again and again some of the finest
advanced. executed flank movements
and feigned onslaughts from the front
while others ran In at the rear.
Each time the short, sharp beak
shot out; each time there was
squawk OF triumph from the bird and
Tapping Of wings. and each time one
of the attacking party was wounded.
Finally Policeman Thomas Morgan
crawled forward with his helmet in his
hand. threw 1t over the birds head
and won the battle.
The policemen had responded to
telephone call, Send the wagon in a
hurry" from 500 East Fiftieth street.
They found the bird screaming and
tapping its wings on the ground in a
back yard adjoining the residence OF
A. S. Trude at Drexel boulevard and
Fiftieth street. 1t had been injured
and could not fly.