davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

he rattled the bushes he was behind and instantly the man came to the spot, leading the willing ground hog. Who's there?'' asked the man, peer ing into the bushes.
 I'm William Travers Baker, sir And out came Billy. his face a flame from the cold and the excitement What you going to do with THE ground hog?" he asked, pointing a cold, soiled finger towards the big black animal.
 Ground hog?" The man roared with laughter. Then he said, when he could quit laughing. This ain't no ground hog. This is a trained bear-from the winter quarters in the city. Don't you know a bear when you sees one? What kind O kid be you, any way?"
 "A B-E-A-Rl" Billy drawled the word in an emphatic way. He then stood glaring at the animal which was standing on its hind legs. going through a well-known, and evidently a well-loved trick.
 Sure, that's what I said, kid He got out of the quarters somehow, an I've been railin' him through the snow since early mo1. = But we must git back. There's . place round these diggins fmeaning the town in which Billy lived) where a man can get a room for bear over night. I'll have to git him to the railroad station an git him inter the baggage car an take him honle. He's dandy. he is, to give me all this he 1oI t.z away, turning to laugh and sAy. ground hog, eh! Gosh, that's a good unl" and then he was gone.
 And Billy, wondering how he could have been so stupid, ran homeward as fast as ever he could. and to his joy. found his grandfather and grand ] mother had come to pay them a visit, and in the excitement of the surprise his mother had not noticed that he had over-stayed his time. And Billy. feeling that he would not receive the| chastisement he knew he deserved led his mother to the pantry, anal there told her all about the ground| hog, which turned out to be a circus| trained bear.
 Well sonny, you must learn a few| things in your Natural History "| laughed his mother. Had you been| as we'll informed on ground hogs as you should be, youd d never have takep| a bear for one. By the way. the ground hog did see his shadow. for| the sun shone half an hour brightly.
 Where did he see 1t. mamma p, asked Billy.
 Everywhere that he happened to| be out of his hole." replied mamma. leaving Billy as much in wondermen1 as ever.
 And so passed the first ground-hoe| day which marked itself an event in| Billy's history.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

ticed that 1t resembled in every detail huge black bear he had seen at the circus the summer before. And the pictures of bears in his Natural His tory also resembled this beast. Surely, this was THE ground hog.
 The animal sniffed the air and moved slowly as though cautious and afraid. He made his way to the ling ering spot of sunshine, and there lifted his long nose. Yes, he was try ing to make his shadow, but did not succeed, for the sun had gone away from the spot the instant he had stepped into it. 35A
 Billy was so intently watching the ground hog that he did not hear the approach of another creature. But over the tracks the ground hog had made a man came. He plunged into the clearings and cried out. causing Billy to jump almost out of his clothes. which would have resulted seriously. for themweather was very coldi sf DIT
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

asked in a hoarse voice.
 Phil smiled and replied: I'm a modern Robinson Crusoe, sir. And I guess you're my man-lets see, what day of the week Is this?'
 Monday, I think" observed the man. T haint kept very clost count O the days lately. Got lost up the mounting a piece been stayin' in an old mine tunnel. But what is youngster like you dcin' here?"
 I'm a modern Robinson Crusoe." replied Phil. And you are my man ing that you're that color from the cold"
 Yep, an blue from hard luck, too" said the man, removing his wrappings. "So you're Robinson Crusoe and I'm yer Man Friday--I mean Monday" he corrected himself. "Well. Robin. got any grub?"
 "A slice, sir" and Phil drew forth what food he had and set 1t before the man. Then the two chatted for an hour after which they went to sleep. The man proved to be trap per who had gone too far from home on a bad day. and had been "held up" by the storm.
 The next day Robinson Crusoe" and his man Monday" made their way to the station, where they had a good meal at Phil's expense. and where they parted company after ward. Phil went home by the after noon train and the trapper-after promising to pay his young friend d visit-went to his own home a mile farther down the valley.
 When Phil reached home, none the worse for his hardships of the few days, he found the house locked and deserted. Just as. he was about to| make inquiry at a neighbor's up cam0 Nan, a travelling bag in her hand. #1
 Lord, Master Phil,l l. never mean8 to stop away at my sisters so longj but the storm cut us off from the] railroad. So I just had to stay. Il hope you didn't git hungry-with all them doughnuts and cold ham anal bread and butter and
 Phil put up warning hand. Stop. Nan, don't mention any more of those| good things. And to, think of all that grub being here and me almost starv- ing in my camp! But-never mind, Nan. I haven't been at home since| Saturday afternoon. When did you| go away?"
 Saturday afternoon, expectin' tol return that night" explained Nan. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Master Phil-if you| had to eat cold victuals."
 "Oh, cold grub goes all right some-| times, Man, And Phil laughed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
! OurpIIZZle Corner ,
HIDDEN INVENTOR PUZZLE.

The name of a modern, world following six sentences. If the right one-syllable words are guessed and written one below another. their ini- tial letters will spell the inventors s name.
 1. The voices of children merrily wake the silent forest.
 2. To possess much money does not signify that one is rich. agI 8. A little salt and lemon juice will remove an ink stain. 4 ma 1. Honesty is a more precious pos session than gold.
 5. Always heed the warning of your elders.
 6, A cup of tea at five o'clock is refreshing. W
 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES.
 ZIGzAG PUZZLE:- :-Neptune. Cross. cords, l. Nail ?. Lean. 8. Pipe, 4 Bait. 5. Noun. 6. Ends. T. Evil BEHEADINGS = 1. Shop hop. 2. Europe-ropc. 8. EDorttort.
 CURTAILINGS:-1. Buggy bug. 2 Century-cent 2. O11cers-o6ice.
 RIDDLE:-The letter P.
 ADDITIONS: - l. Lane-Pldne. 3 Old-Gold 8. TickStick.
 REBUS:
 When all the toorld icds young lad. And dlI the trees Srere Oreen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

Wonder what old Nan is doing? Won der if she'll keep her cellar and kitchen locked? Wonder whether Mother? I did not think to leave any message for her.'
 Towards nine o'clock Phil decided to turn in" which meant that he must build up a big fire with some heavy pieces of log, so that it would not go out while he slept, and then wrap himself in his heavy top-coat and settle himself on the floor be- side the stove. The bedstead had not even batch of straw to recom- mend it, and it's bare slats were not inviting to the visitor.
 Phil's sleep was fitful, and when at last the morning broke, he was thankful. Not that he could go out. for the storm was still in progress, snow hlllng the air to the exclusion of any view for even a dozen feet about the door. The window shut ter held just one pane of glass and the door another one, so that all the daylight Phil got had to filter through these small dingy squares. But he frightened up the fire and fixed some breakfast Some hot water did serv- ice instead of coffee, and he toasted his bread on top the stove and was thankful indeed for such convenience. What if I had gone another route and missed this shanty?" Phil asked himself. "I guess I'd have been an- other soul lost on the mountain in an unexpected snow storm"
 
 done, only that 1t was lonelier. for Phil had not the relief of uncon- sciousness. Blessed be he who invent ed books" quoted he towards even ing. "A good book or magazine would have made me forget my loneliness here"
 Another night of the storm, and Phil felt that his nerves were being tried sorely. He wondered how long he could endure this jail-locked in by the elements. And his food was giving out. Only two slices of bread remained, one bit of cheese, no meat and two little blocks of sugar. The sugar had been thrust into his over coat pocket on leaving home, for Phil remembered reading that little sugar or candy helped to sustain one while climbing.
 Well, this can't last forever" he said. He divided his rations as even though the storm broke, he might not be able to go down the road to the station, a mile or more distant, for another day. So he must keep some of the food to stay him over the night. On the morrow-if necessary he could fast. But fasting did not prepare one for making a Journey through a deep snow.
 Again the darkness fell, and with 1t the snow ceased, and out came the most wonderful moon. Phil's heart leaped for joy. He would get out of this place on the morrow-he'd go if he had to dig his path all the way to the station.
 Just as Phil was about to turn in" tap came on the door. Phil ran to the door and peered out through the glass pane. He could distinguish a man standing there. Instantly he opened the door and said: Come in"
 The man. wrapped to his eyes, looked at Phil. Who're your" he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
oI,se, CEOoore

about at it's base, and Phil would go by train to the station which was the entrance to the mountain, so to speak. From this station-consisting of few miners shanties and the Com pany's Store"-a very passable road led up the mountain. But there was little travel o{r it owing to the fact that the hints it led to had been abandoned.
 At one o'clock Phil boarded the train and rode for about an hour. There would be return train at eleven o'clock that night on which he meant to ride home. That would give him plenty of time for climbing the mountain and having his supper with some of the miners who lived at the station.
 On arriving at the station Phil got a cup of coffee and a bit of lunch. He had provision bag filled with food he had brought from home, for he always supplied himself with pro- visions in case of unexpected delays. But he did not wish to take from the supply, so refreshed himself at the station eating house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
Billy Baker and the Ground-Hos

- HIS is ground-hog day" It was Mrs. Heally, who spoke.
 standing at the Bakers back - door. And my children are anxious to go to the country where they can get peep at the ground-hog If he comes out to see his shadow.
 q guess he'll see his shadow, laughed Mrs. Baker, wiping the dust from the kitchen window ledge. Wont you come in, Mrs. Heally?"
 "No, must get back, or those young ones of mine may run off to the woods-as they threatened to do. How's Billy? Oyer his cold?"
 "Yes, Billy's well again, thank you" And Mrs. Baker turned to see what had become of her nine-year- old son.
 I'm here, mother" said Billy. He was on a chair in the pantry, getting some doughnuts and cAe-ses. Pm looking for something"
 'Yes, and I know what the some thing is," said Mrs. Baker. You're eating entirely too many doughnuts, my son. You shall not have another one." And Mrs. Baker took hold of Blllys coat and dragged him from the chair.
 Say mother, where does the ground-hog stay?" Billy's cheek was full of doughnut and his pockets bulged with the same tasty sweets. Does he hide in the woods-and could the Heally kids find him by just going to the woods?"
 Now for a nine-year- boy, you show a lack of knowledge of Natural History" replied busy Mrs. Baker. Come, never mind about the ground hog, for it's only a silly superstition about his shadow. I want you to run down town for me. Get your hat and over-coat."
 But mean THE ground-hog. in sisted Billy. 'I know all about the common kind. It's THE ground-h what sees it's shadow, you know.''
 That's a silly superstition,'' re- peated Mrs. Baker. Now run along and get your things. I want you to go to Papa's store and order out some things for me. I'll write the list.'
 And, may I stay away a little while?" asked Billy eagerly. 'I haven't been down town for ever so long-to stay.
 "Yes. after giving papa the note, you may stay an hour. But you must be home by four.'
 Ten minutes later Billy was in his fathers store. and was explaining to his father that he-Billy-was to re- main away from home for an hour. "All right. sonny" said Mir. Baker. going behind the counter to wait on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

It must have been three o'clock when Phil came in sight of shanty. He looked for smoke from the old stove pipe which thrust itself out through the roof, but there was none. Not inhabited" said Phil. So he went up and looked in through the open window. The place was lonely. and almost bare of furnishing. In one corner stood a rough board bed stead. one of those rude affairs used in early mining days. In another cor ner was a cupboard, and on the shelves rusty coffee pot and some pans and plates of tin. A little sheet iron cooking stove, rusted and covered with dust, occupied a place in front of the cupboard.
 Phil went round the house and found a fine spring of water coming from beneath some heavy boulders. Well, some mineral-hunter once made this place interesting" unused Phil. ''I'll climb up over these rocks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
! HIL JAMES home was in a

&SH mountain village. Round about the village was wild country, 70 only few mountaineers living on the rugged mountainsides. and dnone at all venturing UT as far as the sum- init. The mountains were covered all most to the top with heavy timber, and great boulders and numerous rocks of smaller degreo lay thickly about, holding the timber-roots in the soil which otherwise would have been loosened and washed away by the frequent rains.
 Phil was a lad of fifteen. and loved the mountains dearly. He had not lived among them very long, for his father had only recently bought a saw mill there. The Jameses had come from a city many miles from the mountain, and their new home, so rugged, was intensely interesting to Phil. He often cpent whole days ex- ploring nearby mountainsides, making a survey of the land and also en- toying little geological studies. As he had something of the hermit's dis position-that is to say, he loved be- ing alone with beautiful nature-it was a rare thing for him to invite an other boy to accompany him on his excursions.
 With the beginning of February Phil's mother decided to make visit to her parents who lived in an ad- joining state. Phil's father accom- panied her on the way as far as the city where he had to look after some machinery for the mill. His business would keep him away for three or four days, and Phil was left in charge of things at home.
 My superintendent will look after the business, of course" explained
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
MODERN ROBINSON cRUsoE

MT. James to Phil. But I want you to keep an eye on the place as much as you can while not in school And Mother wants you to look after the house during her absence, for Nan often forgets to lock her cellar and kitchen at night. She's the most for getful servant we ever had"
 "All right, daddy" promised Phil. 'Ill try to keep things in shape dur ing the time that I am in charge"
 The day following his parents de- parture was Saturday, and the mill hands had their half-holiday as was the custom on Saturday. Phil de- cided to put in the afternoon wan dering about one of the mountains which helped to form the great range that loomed above the smaller range on which the village held a tiny spot. He had heard of the beauties of the canyons of that particular mountain, which was very high and rugged. A little narrow-gauge railroad wound
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

where I find a house and cooking utensils and plenty of spring water within few feet of the door. I guess I'm in luck"
 The storm increased, and when Phil looked out of the door all he could see was a white curtain about him. Every foot of ground was hidden from view. But he was a brave fellow and kept his courage up by whistling and singing. A cheerful fire also gave a home-like appearance to the other wise uninviting interior. Phil always carried matches in his pocket, which fact stood him in good stead on this occasion.
 From the bag of provisions Phil took some bread, cold meat and cheese. How he did wish for a cup of tea or coffee to make the meal more palatable. Still, I'm better off than was old Robinson Crusoe," he said musingly. "Wonder how long I'll be snowlocked in this place? Hope I'll get back for Monday. Daddy will re- turn on Tuesday or Wednesday. must be home before that time or he'd be worried to death about me.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
Preside Laughs

M AT was suffering from acute indi-
 gestion, so he paid visit to the doctor and told him all about his internal trouble.
 You should go on a diet of purely animal food for a week." prescribed the doctor. After that, come to see me again.
 Pat started home in a quandary. Gy chance he met his fellow workman O'Toole. on the street. "OToole," asked Pat, what is animal food?"
 Animal food?" and O'Toole scratched his head meditatively.
 -och, hev it! It's the sort of stuff the animals eat, to be shure."
 A week later Pat again called upon the doctor. looking much the worse from his week of special diet. How goes it?" asked the doctor. Did you conf1ne your diet to animal food, as I ordered?'
 "Yes. Doctor, ate the corn and the oats, but when 1t come to the bale O hay-well it went against me. Be- sides. the ole woman said hay made too much O a mess about the house, an wanted to send me to the stable. But I made up fer the hay by eatin' more O the oats, Doctor"
 COURAGEOUS JOHN. ~ OHN was visiting a friend who
 lived in a country where lions U abounded. One day John de- cided to go out and bring in "big game" He took gun and set forth. Some time later his host heard the gums report. and going to the. door looked out To his astonishment he saw John hot-footing 1t towards the house. bareheaded and hair on end. A lion was coming close behind him, and gaining on him at every leap. On reaching the gate John yelled out to his host: "Open the door for the love of life! Pm bringing the crea- ture home alive"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

customer. 'I'll send those things out to mother right away"
 Billy ran to the street Then he paused on the sidewalk and looked around. He was wishing with all his might that he might see Tom Heally. He had secret plan in his head. It was to go to the woods to see if he might get a peep at THE ground hog. He thought that Tom Heally might know where to look for the curious animal.
 But no Tom was in sight, so off went Billy towards the woods which bordered a creek some distance from town.
 So Billy had hurried along as fast as ever his two legs could carry him, and he soon reached the woods. He sought out lonely place, for he knew THE ground-hog would never prowl about in the road, or near to it.; neither would he seek the bridge, for wagoners and horsemen were contin- ually passing there. THE ground hog was, of course very smart fellow. He knew where to come for safety. And he must find a clearing in the woods where the sun would cause his shadow to show!
 Billy knew where there was an open space in the heart of patch of heavy timber. It had been made there by some early settler" but the early settlers" log hut had long ago been torn down. The spot was lonely enough, to be sure, for any ground hog, and THE hog would doubtless go right there as soon as ever the sun came out.
 Billy looked up at the sky. Yes, the clouds were breaking away and a gleam of pale yellow light lay along the lines between them. Billy sought out the clearing which was well pro tected from outside by heavy timber growing round 1t like a hedge. Billy ran into the clearing which covered only very small spot. and looked round. Of course. THE ground hog had not yet made his appearance, and would not so long as an intruder stood staring there. He must find secure hiding place. So he looked about in the thick underbrush and found a sheltered little nook where even in winter. with twigs and branches bare, ones eye could scarcely penetrate. Billy crawled inside the bushes and fixed peep-hole through which he might look.
 Then he waited.
 And then out came the sun brightly! It shone down into the clearing. casting long shadows from the trees. Billy blinked. but kept his weather eye open for the ground hog
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

THE ground hog, for he empha- sized the"
 Well, l don't believe he's coming" said Billy after a. long wait. His hands and feet were getting numb from cold, and he felt hungry and lonely. He wished now that he had not come so far from home. Of sudden he remembered that his mother had told him he must be at home by four o'clock. It must be that hour already, for the sun was setting over the woods, and it's rays could no longer be seen in the clear ing save at one spot, about ten feet square. And pretty soon that would be shadowy like the rest. An, Billy had been so excited. so anxious. that he had allowed himself to forget the passing of time. It would require
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

cut off ones view of it.
 'I'll get some wood" said Phil. And he hastily gathered as much wood into the shanty as he thought he might need.
 Now for water" and he took the old coffee pot and pan to the spring and washed them thoroughly. then filled them with water.
 "Geel I'm glad daddy and mother are away from home tonight, for otherwise they would be worried al- most to death over my non-appear- ance. Well. such things cannot be helped if one goes off exploring noun tains in February.
 Well, I'm much luckier than poor old Robinson Crusoe was He was shipwrecked on an isolated island and I am snow-bound on a mountainside
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

some twenty or thirty minutes for him to reach home, and his mother was doubtless expecting him at that minute. perhaps was telephoning to his father. asking if he was there. 'I must be off homewards as fast as can fly, so I-' but Billy's ear caught sudden crunching of snow close at hand, and the sound of heavy body moving through the bushes. He bent forward and peeped out of his hidden nook, and there not thirty feet away from him-was the largest ground hog he had ever heard of. It was a monster. That the animal was a ground hog Billy had not the slightest doubt. He mo-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

Billy peeped out and saw sturdy man approaching the ground hog. You naughty fellow," the man was saying, approaching the beast. 'So you thought you'd give me the slip, eh? Well, come along, you rascal. Come" And the man went right up to the beast and hooked a leather strap about its neck. You've led me a nice race--you have!"
 Billy was indignant. What right had any man to come and take into captivity THE ground hog? How would people in future know whether or not they were to have long or a short winter-with no ground hog to make It's shadow? In his excitement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28

k1 S Across the great wide sky; outh beneat the Cam the nd he ked 7 ~ - a tn O
  old
   snu part And he cried keep out so drear. must the door,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
LABYRINTH PUZZLE.

A lives in the house at the top. B lives in the house at the bottom. On stormy night A started to B's home. At the same time B started to As home Both got lost and wandered about a long time before reaching their des- tination. A Is marked at his own door by the dagger point and B at his door the dor of the other by their marks Can you trace their windings through the storm?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-28
ADDITIONS.

l. Add G to a part of a watermelon and get to put grain through mill. 2. Add B to building site and get dark spot.
 B. Add P to the title of nobleman and get a raro gem.
 4. Add B to an apartment and get a household implement.
 CONUNDRUMS.
 What would contain all the snuff In the world?
 No one nose (knoWs).
 Who were the first astronomers? The stars, because they hdpe studded (studied) the heQUens eUer since the creation.
 If all the women went to China, where would all the men go? To Pekfn (peek in).
 When is a blow from a pretty girl welcome? When she strikes you dgreeably.