davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

- ACk Never-Thlnk was nine years
old his chum Billy Capable, was
six months younger. They were
in the same class at school. But
Lllly led the class while Jack dragged
behind. Billy was always getting
class prizes. while Jack was always
getting dement's. But Billy liked
Jack. because he was a good hearted
fellow, and he tried to help him all
that he could and was forever beggIns
him to study and to remember the
things ne learned from his books.
One day Teacher set task for the
class to perform. She asked each TO
write an essay on the beauties Of
nature. describing the things about
them. Billy was all cnthused. and ran
home that evening eagerly, telling his
mother all about what fine subject
they had for their next Fridays essay
or composition. as Teacher called 1t.
Il shall Just sit beside the window
and look about me and write OF the
things l see out of DOORS" said Billy.
And he got a pencil and scratch pad
and went to work. His mother smiled
as she watched him. saying to herself.
BILLY will have a fine composition.
I'm sure, for he's so Interested"
When Jack NeverThink went home
that evening. he had forgotten all
about the composition for Friday. He
r.ayed out In the freshly fallen snow.
rolling snow balls and tossing them
against the side of vacant house.
Then. his mother calling him into sup
per. he dropped his play and went
indoors
well, darling, isn't 1t a beautiful
cnou asked Jacks mother "And
old you make a big snow ball for the
front yard?'
mo. Mamma. only made little
balls to toss against the old vacant
house" informed Jack. Then he ate
his supper, sitting beside his father.
After supper his mother asked him
70 sit beside her and tell her Of what
he had learned at school that day.
lack hung his head. He could not
remember what he had indifferently
tried to learn. He did recall, though,
something about composition about
nature So he looked up and said:
"oh Mamma, I'm to write a compost
tion about Nature. Who Is Nature ?"
Then his mother explained that all
tina Great big out of doors was nature.
and that nature was not person.
Che described tho mountains-which
Joc,, had never seen, and the sea.
which Jack had crossed only the sum-
mar before And she told him of the
forests. the lakes rivers, hills. valleys,
nrairies. and all about the wonders
aI,od nature. Now" she added, az
,sr telling Jack all these things. "can'.
vou write something nice on the sub
iect. dear?"
Jsok shoub his head. "rd h>ve ia
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

sec he was a thinking boy, attending
strictly to his studies and enjoying
them. So the beginning Of his COM
position was very fine. his mother said
on looking it over before he went to
bed. When he met Jack at SCHOOL
the next morning. he cried out: I've
got a whole page of my composition
done. How much have you written
on yours?"
"Oh. I'm going this evening TO see
Nature" replied Jack with some show
IF wisdom. Then I'll write about it.
That evening Jack went with his
mother to the bay. and on their way
home. they stopped in the city park.
which contained rich, varied scenery.
Jacks good mother described every
thing to Jack and pointed out the
beauties about him. Then they went
home and she left him in his room.
alone. to write. But when she called
him to supper he had not written
word He had been mending an old
pair Of roller skates, and had entirety
forgotten his visit TO the bay and TO
the park.
Well. you can imagine how dread
fully disappointed his mother was
when she asked him for his compost
ton and he looked ashamed and con-
fessed he had not touched 1t.
But when Friday came, Billyt
mother went over what he had writ.
ten and was happy, for she saw that
her boy had been doing lot of think
ing. His composition was declared tc
be the best written by any in the class,
and so proud Of it was Teacher. that
She read it aloud To the entire school.
AS Billy and Jack went home
wards that afternoon. Jack said:
"Bily, I'm going TO turn over II new
leaf. I'm tired of being thought
stupid boy-one who never thinks.
want TO be smart like YOU. Tomor-
row III"
But Billy interrupted him. Don't
talk about tomorrow" he said. Talk
about today Get to work this very
evening. 1t isn't too late for you to
write composition yet. Are you
willing to make a try at it?"
you bet ann" declared Jack. AM
an hour later his mother was sur
prised to find her usually Idle little
son doubled up before his desk, writ
/ ing away AS though his life depended
! on the work he was doing. IT'S that
composition on nature. Mamma" he
explained. looking up for moment.
I'm going to try to beat Billy. I've
/ been behind in my class long enough
Now I'm going to be first for
chan6,s.'
A1N his glad mother softly closed
the door and left him undisturbed, for
she brow he meant what he said. At
Lao Nsmething had made him think.
Axxds yom that hour Jack was neve
esaWsSa known as Jack Never-Think.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26
THE MOON FAIRY

moonl the moon!" cried Mabel. Isn't
It beautiful"
And see the face in it--smiling at
u.s." cried Percy. "Oh, It's no longer
the face of the Man in the moon. but
the face of-of-"
Percy did not finish the sentence.
for Mabel Interrupted; IT'S u fairy.
Brother. a fairy"
AS the two children stood watching
the moon, enraptured. 1t grew larger
and larger till at last 1t almost filled
the sky. And In 1t they could see
many fairy forms. flying hither and
thither. and at last one of them sepa-
rated itself from the others and flew
towards the earth. So astonished were
Percy and Mabel that they could ne'
speak, but stood watching the most
miraculous performance.
The snow was falling softly. and
the light from the moon shining
through It gave a strange and beauti-
full appearance TO things on the noun
tainside. Rocks looked like huge
crystals. and the trees. covered with
snow, shone like diamonds. A frozen
brook glistened in the soft white light
like silver thread.
The fairy descended to the earth.
alighting close to where the two or
phans waited. AS she stood upon the
ground she looked like form made
Of snow flakes and moonbeams. She
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

~ ERCY and Mabel had walked a
long. long way and both were
footsore and weary. Percy was
eleven and Mabel was nine.
They were brother and sister and were
making a very long Journey on foot.
They had just lost their father and
were going to find their aged grand
parents who lived many leagues from
their former home. Their mother had
been dead for five years, and they
had been their fathers constant com
panlons, he being both mother and
father to them. But after his death
the little orphans found themselves
penniless and alone in a very cold.
selfish world. SO they had talked the
matter over between themselves and
had agreed to go In search Of their
mothers parents whom they knew to
be living a long. long way to the
south Of their old home. A great
range OF mountains had to be crossed.
and as tho winter lay over the land 1t
meant sufferings from the cold for the
little wanderers.
But they were brave and deter
mined and stood privation without a
murmur. Their fathers employer, a
cruel man. had offered to take Percy
into his shop as an apprentice. but
Percy knew that meant beating and
hard work without pay. And he loved
his sister dearly. and would not be
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

tha ground rho door aa,,. oror o,d
Percy with his bundle o,.or HE sho,,l.
dor ana Ntahal With ber b.sl,ot y,
bor orr, s+o,,,loa w., ,,,,C,, 80. e-or
nross T'hn,. ,,,r,,od 49,, a,.a. ,a,7.ads
, Whit oo.,oma 49,, ,,o,,ia hiiiei.n
vvbo-a ,bo s,,n sbo,o 80 ti.ds sa
rhe, COW, .,,ea III fo1l,s o,.r,ir|. dan'n
no na,h ,o,,.a.1. s,,.t, NTH, t,,,'
Nod IN fror1 so,,,a raol9s hasi,io 49,,
road rban paro,, .,,rraa - i(o,. -,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

and Mabel. When the two children
We're seated inside the tiny, velvet
lined room, which was something on
the order of a travelling carriage. the
fairy leaned over Mabel and touched
her head with wand, then she turn
ed to Percy and did the same thing.
Now, my little ones, your wish shall
be law for three whole days. All you
have to do is to wish for thing and
1t happens. Good bye"
Before Percy or Mabel could say
word. the fairy had disappeared.
and the airship settled quietly on the
ground. At first the children were
bitterly disappointed that the fairy
had not remained with them, and
Mabel began to cry. But suddenly
the fairy's words came to her mind
and she sat up and said to her broth
er. who was looking out of the win
dow at the fast-falling snow. Let's
wish for the thing We want most. 1t
shall be ours"
Then let us wish to go to our
grandparents, replied Percy. turning
his attention inside the airship-room.
Yes. let's wish It," agreed Mabel.
Then they both closed their eyes and
whispered softly under their breath;
1--WE wish to go to our grandparents.
away over the mountains to the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

see all those things. Mamma" he de-
clared. I'D never be able to tell
about 'em like you do. But--can't
go to see some OF 'em?"
Yes. we can run down to the bay
tomorrow after school," replied
Mamma. And then you can write
about the big body of water. And
We'll go to the park and you may
study the trees. too, and the rocks
along the Jake. oh. We'll find many
beautiful spots round here for you to
write about. And / wish you to have
nice. long composition. You have
been rather behind in your studies.
my dear child. and l hope that you'll
take more interest in your work from
today. You shall begin your compost
ton tomorrow morning before going
to school, and l shall give what as
sistance you need. You will get q
beginning. and after school. you may
continue It,"
So on the following morning ack's
mother sat down beside the window
and called Jack TO her. you may
begin getting material for the COM
position, my dear" she said. Now
Loo. at that beautiful cloud hanging
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26
h Our puzzle Corner 4
CONUNDRUMS.

SON UNI RUMS.
Where are we sure to find a forger?
At the anil.
When Is water most liable to es
cape?
when only hdlf-tfde.
Can the sardine- box?
No, but the tomatO-cdn
How does hairdresser end his
days?
ne curlo up and dyes.
When is turkey like a new coat?
When getting bdSted.
Why are dudes like sponges?
they are great to suell
When Is a pretty girl like a ship?
When she is attached to a buoy.
When are the skies like old people?
When grey.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
PUZZLES.
SPLIT-WORDS PUZZLE: /. Pump
Kin Pumpkin). 2. Pillage (Pillage).
g. SidebOard (Sideboard).
LONG
woRD-soUARE: NANA
GL ID
BEHEADINGS: /. Scrape-crape. Q.
Scorn-corn. 3. Prootroof.
PRIMAL ACROSTIC: ~. tie.
Crossroads, /. Croun. 2. Links. 3.
Idler. 4. Mouse. s. ANIL 6. Tunes.
Y. Elder.
REBUS: Turkey time Is almost
here and little children like the drum
stick and the dressing.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

south.
Then they felt a movement. and
opening their eyes beheld the air
ship leaving the ground. Up and up
they sailed. and the strange part of
IT was that they were not being guild
ed by any visible hand. The ship
seemed to guide itself and 1t flew
along over the mountains at a petty
rapid rate.
After riding for half an hour, Percy
happened to put his hand against a
basket on the seat beside him, and
opening it he found plenty of good
food and a large bottle of sweet milk
Dishes and knives and forks and
spoons were also in the basket. wrap
ped about with napkins. Percy help
ed his sister to some cold chicken,
jellyspread bread and cake and then
helped himself. They ate and drank
their fll. Then their eyes grew heavy
with sleep. and Mabel lay down on a
soft couch and Percy stretched him
self on a fur rug in front of the
couch. Soon both slept soundly and
knew nothing Of their long ride over
the high. snow-covered mountains
When they awoke in the morning they
looked out upon sunny land where
orange blossoms grew and where nc
frost or snow was visible. They were
in a sunny southland.
Soon after eating their breakfast
from the basket. Percy said: We're
descending. Sister. We must be neal
Grandfather's place. You know Pa
pa used to tell us that it was always
warm where Grandpa and Grandma
lived"
Sure enough, the airship was de-
scending. and pretty soon 1t touched
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

smiled at Mabel and Percy, and they
smiled back. not understanding what
It all meant. Then the cold was for
gotten: the hunger was forgotten: and
even thei- lonely condition in the
world vanished from their minds.
You are in trouble" So spoke the
fairy to Percy and Mabel. Il caught
the message in the moon, and came
to help you"
Then you really and truly are a
fairy" 1t was Percy who dared to
speak to the wonderful creature who
stood before him.
Eyes, real fairy from the moon,
in fact, am a Moon Fairy. which
means that It is very hard for me to
come to earth to help little earth
children. This is my second visit
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

across the sky. Can't you describe
the way 1t looks to you? And you
know what clouds are. don't you
DEAR"
mo. Mamma, / don't know what
clouds are" affirmed Jack. And his
mother began telling him all about
the formation OF clouds. and what
they were for. But before she had
finished. Jack had seen the cat out
side on the fence and his mind went
away from the subject of clouds.
oh" he interrupted. lust see the
cat. She's walking on top the fence!"
After some trouble, his mother got
him back to the subject again. and
gave him pencil and paper and
urged him to begin his composition.
He made a very bad beginning, which
Mamma declared would never do,
Then 1t was time for him to go to
school. and the composition was put
off till the next day.
But this was not the case with Billy
Capable. AS soon as he had spent
five minutes studying the landscape
view from his window. he began to
write. and ne wrote rapidly, for so
much had come into his mind. Yr'c
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26


III girl of the family Ia rapidly dis
j appearing, and in it's place we see
room which may be used as sleep
Ing room, den and library combined.
AS a matter of fact, the old fashioned
ped does not occupy conspicuous
place in the combination room OF the
modern home girl, for 1t has been
relegated to the attic or sold to q
dealer in secondhand furniture and
large, comfortable couch takes Its
place. The couch has all the COM
forts OF q bed, and may be covered
during the day with a dark spread
with cushions piled about on 1t. These
cushions are laid off at night. the Aay-
spread folded away and, presto. pass
there Is the inviting white bed. fully
as wide as the bed-steads commonly
known as Single" and moro luxu-
rious.
If dressing table or dresser re-
main in the room, 1t is good taste to
have the article of dark wood-pre-
ferably OF mission design. And the
chairs, book case, and library table,
must Of course be Of the same wood
and design as the dresser or dressing
table. 1t Is very bad taste to have
the furniture Of room Of different
woods and designs. Some girls have
a preference for the white enameed
wood. but 1t does not look harmoni-
Gus In the combination room where
bookcase. library table. chairs. couch
and draperies are of living room or
library designs and colors. An old
fashioned chest Of drawers in dark
wood is thing OF beauty and n Joy
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26
A FircSidc Game
for Girls and BOYS

- MERRY little Preside game for
II the young folks to engage In Of
long winter evenings is called
proverbs" and Is a trial OF skill be-
tween one player. who Is called the
Questioner, and all the rest; on the
questioner's side to discover secret,
on the part of the company to pre-
vent or render difficult its discovery.
one Of the company having left
the room this person is tho Cues
uoner) the others get together and
select some proverb during his alb
sence. on his returning to the room
he must ask random questions Of
those assembled, and they in their re-
plies, must emphasize slightly the
words Of the proverb. the first person
being questioned using the first word
of the proverb. the second person
using the second word. and SO on till
proverb Is begun all over again BY the
next person replying to questions. AS
this Is confusing to the Questioner-
his having no means of finding out
how many words are contained in the
proverb--his discovering the proverb
| Is made more difficult.
For instance. the proverb, Honesty
Is the best policy" Is selected. Sup
pose the first question to be, "Have
you been out today?" The reply will
be. Yes. l went for a walk In the
park. and but for tho honesty Of q
boy l would have lost my purse. He
saw me drop 1t and returned It to
me-" Then Will follow the second
question. Were you in the country
last summer" And the reply will
be. Yes. in a most lovely spot where
1t IS always cool and pleasant"
And so on till the last word OF the
proverb has been brought from the
players by the Questioner. And Il
he falls to guess the proverb he mus
pay forfeit And If any player In re
plying to the question neglects to use
the word of the proverb belonging t.
him. he must pay forfeit also at TIT
end of tn game.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

"Oh. how wonderful 1t was
Mabel now who spoke. II think you
so beautiful" she added. YOU are
more beautiful than any picture |
have ever seen OF a fairy. You're so
white. 50 thin and so graceful. The
light shines right through YOU"
That's the way with all fairies"
smiled the moon creature. I'VE are
formed so that we may disappear al
together, and not be seen. though we
may be right In your midst. But
the winds blow chill. and /. is get
ting late for two little ones to be out
In the snow. Come. follow me-" AS
she spoke. the fairy whirled about
and waved wand. Instantly beau
tiful little airship. all rugged out FOR
fast sailing, appeared in front of the
Moon Fairy. and instead OF a basket
seat, It had dear little room which
glowed warm and snug as the FAIRY
opened the door to usher In Percy
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26
New Wonders Dis
covered at pOmpeii

T IS with strange sensatio that
one walks through the streets of
the ruined city of Pompeii look
ing upon the remnants of a city which
stood many centuries before Christ.
and which today is the same as on the
day 1t was destroyed by Mount Nesu-
vius. commonplace enough noun
tain in appearance, but one of the
greatest destroying forces Of ancient
and modern times.
A large force of workmen are con-
tinually employed in excavating new
quarters Of the city and more inter
esting bits Of history of the beauti-
full Pompeii are brought to light every
little while. One Of the latest discov-
cries Is Of wine shop. a sort OF
place which in this country today
would be called a saloon. A writer
in describing it says: This shop may
be regarded as an early Roman sa-
loon. The Jars, mad Of bronze and
glass. are in perfect preservation and
contain many liquids. while a caul-
dron is stu half-filled with water,
which probably was boiling at the
time of the destruction Of the city.
The cashtill of the saloon. or wine
shop, is of ivory and was found just
dS leIl ny tHe panic btTlchen owner.
1t contains n quantity Of silver coins.
"A terrible souvenir of the errupt-
ion," continues the writer. was dis
covered in superb palace, the owner
Of which has been identified as Obell-
ius Firmus, very wealthy citizen OF
Pompeii. Before one of the gates
were lying six bodies-those of Obell'
ius. his wife. two little children. and
two other persons with signs about
them Of being slaves. The children
were lying in each others arms, a!
II embracing in their agony of fear
while the parents had evidently crep
close together and were clasping eaci
others hands. The authorities n
charge Of the excavation have de
cided not to remove these bodies t
the museum at Naples. but to leav,
them where they were found as evi
dence OF the catastrophe.
ION the walls bordering the roa'
are many political notices OF cleo
tons"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26
The YOUNG kiUMrERs

larry cried out, "a bear, beari'
Then dropped his gun in snow.
Ben screamed out, "a wolf! A wolff"
Then away the two did 20.
Nor did they stop till home was
reached,
And there a story. bold,
OF bears and wolves they'd tracked
to lair
Was to their comrades told.
md in the woods n yearling calf
Had strayed from home away.
and as 1t wandered round about
It saw the hunters gay.
And watched them from a thicket
dark
With eyes so soft and brown:
And It laughed a little calfy laugh
When the boys took off towards
town.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

parted from her. So at night the
two children crept from the miserable
house they had called home. and start
ed southwark. journeying forth to find
the aged grandfather and grandmother.
Percy carried bundle over his
shoulder and Mabel carried basket
in her hand. The bundle contained
what clothing the children owned and
the basket few things made dear to
them by their departed parents. All
day long they had walked. and only once
had they stopped at waysde inn to
buy a penny's worth Of bread and to
beg for a few minutes rest beside
the fireplace. And now as the even
ing fell. they began to look about
them for some place where they
might beg for shelter during the
night. But on the mountains few
people lived. and In vain did the
orphan wanderers look along the
steep, rough roadside for a light
which would tell them of shep-
herds hut.
I'm very weary. Brother" said 1T
tie Mabel after some time spent In
silence. only the sound Of the foot
steps being company. l fear l cannot
80 any farther tonight. And / am
also very hungry"
You stay here and wait for me-
said Percy. putting down his bundle
beside the road for his sister to 81,
upon, and III run on up the noun.
tain and see II there Is not some sor'
OF habitation eabouts."
mo. do not leave me alone" cried
| Mabel, catching hold Of her brother!
shoulder. Il should be afraid in thu
dark. alone. Let US rest here to
gether for bit. then III be able tt
push on with you. dear"
But just rs Mabel spoke the moor
came peeping over the ridge OF tn
mountain. and both children CRIED
out with delight as the brilliant lumi
nary smiled down upon them. 9TH
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

There were rabbit tracks in the early
snow:
Harry and Ben found these.
And stealthily followed them. one by
one.
Throug.. the bare and forbidden
trees.
They crossed a creek on a fallen log
A creek which was still and dark!
on the bank they thought they heard
noise.
And Ben said to Harry. "Hark!"
They listened hard with four red ears;
And four eyes bulged out round;
For from the bushes near at hand
There had come an awful sound.
The loaded guns were both forgot:
The boys shook at their knees,
Lo! two bright eyes did look at them
From n thicket Of stunted trees.