davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

There's that pile of hay under the
barn window on which I might throw
him. Once I succeed, I'll call to Uncle
to come and see me do It second
time, and to bring his men to put on
the saddle"
But as Jako's enthusiasm grew,
AIS cooled. 'You might break the
colts neck" he ventured. BESIDES,
don't think Daddy wanted you to
fool with the colt. Maybe we'd best
not try it."
"Ah. let's have some fun" said
Jake. Il promised Mamma not to play
any jokes on single person on the
farm. SO I've got to play 'em on the
animals and chickens. I'll take tho
risk, AL, and the consequences, too.
Come, let's scare the pony down to
the gate yonder, and on through into
the COW lot. I'll run and unfasten the
gate. I'll also get lariat from the
harness shed. Come on. What's the
good of having the name, Mis-
chievous Jake unless 1 mako good?
AL reluctantly consented and to-
gether the boys got the colt from the
big pasture into the smaller COW lot.
and shut him In. He showed some
signs of rebellion, and his eyes shos
sly CLEANS of defiance. But nothing
daunted Mischievous Jake. The more
spirit the pony showed, the better
Jake liked it. 1t gave promise of
excitement.
Now" said Jake. 1T have decided
to perch myself we'll above the pony.
I'll climb into the loft of the barn and
sit In the window, just there-over
that pile of hay. I'll hold my lasso
all ready, and when 1 give the signal.
you chase Mr.. Pony round In front
of me and I'll have him fioundering
on his bed of hay. It'll be nice and
soft for him to fall on. Then, wen
tie him and call to Uncle to come
and bear witness to the fact that I
can lasso wild animal just the same
as n Texas ranger or a Mexican cow
boy"
Then Jake climbed to his perch, the
window ledge outside the loft of the
barn. His long legs dangled down.
He had the lasso all in readiness, the
loop held in his hand as he had seen
cowboys hold 1t when preparing to
throw an unbroken pony.
Now, scare out your ANIMAL" he
called to AL. See that he runs round
the right-hand corner as / can throw
the lasso better In that direction. I'm
ready for himl'
All right" And AL went round
tho lot after the pony that had taken
himself off as far from his enemies
as he could. He stood. head down.
in corner near the fence, good
deal of white showing in his wild
eyes. Instinctively he seemed to know
that something was going to happen
to him-something unpleasant, and he
was meditating as to what sort of
move he should make. He had not
long to think over his plans, however,
for round the corner of the COW house
came his new owner-not master as
yet.
"Whoa!" began Al. The pony
paved the ground and looked side
wise at him. Then he frished out of
the corner and kicked up his hind
hoofs. tossing some bits of loose dirt
into AIS face. AL started towards
him, waving both hands wildly.
frightening him and sending him In
the desired direction. Round the COW
house he went, just as Jake desired
him to do and when he came to the
pile of hay he paused. Jake saw
his opportunity and bent forward.
throwing the lasso. The other end of
the rope he had wound round and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

We'll. 1 don't care how wild he is,''
declared Jake, "I'll bet my hat 1 can
lasso him." Then everybody talked
about lassoing and the proper way to
do 1t. and the meal progressed pleas
antly.
The following morning AL and Jake
made a survey of the farm, loving as
they did every nook and corner of 1t.
They went to the horse pasture to see
the new Texas pony. and found 1t
looking very mild and gentle. Il could
lasso him in jiffy." Dragged Jake.
MAY 1 try him?"
Al was undecided. Say, II you'd
try 1t and he'd fool you trip the
laugh would be on YOU" he explained
to Jake. Buff only we could get
him In some close quarters and you
could get a try at him-some place
where no one but us could see
And Jake looked at his cousin ques-
tioningly.
Say. Al, you've hit on the very
thing" exclaimed Jake. Suppose we
drive him into the COW lot-round on
/ the off-side the barn from the house.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07
THE THREE GREEN BOTTLES

- HERE were just three of them
II standing close together on a
long shelf in the rear room of
- village drug store. They had
been filled with something harmless.
perhaps turpentine and perhaps oil.
or something else just as wholesome
and useful. Just what they had con-
tanned, Lena and Larry did not know.
All they knew was that they were
three green bottles with long necks
and looked like three soldiers standing
there in a row. looking out of the
open window.
Lena and Larry were a nine-year-
old girl and seven-year-old boy; and
they were sister and brother. Their
father kept the drug store and their
home was pretty white cottage
block away from the store, where
their busy mother always found plenty
to do, and made the home comfortable
and attractive for their father and
themselves. There was lovely big
yard stretching all round their pretty
white cottage, and porches. too. but
the children preferred playing in the
room at the rear of their fathers
rug StOlt. iiio CSQC1idi iOOui WAS
long and low and full of odd things.
Their father called the things junk,
and said they were of no further use
to him. So. the three green bottles be-
longing to the Junk" fell to Lena and
Larry to play with. There were nu-
merous bottles-empty-and boxes
and what-not there. but of all the I'M
useful things. the children loved best
the three green bottles. This was be-
cause they resembled soldiers. 1t was
Larry who first discovered the resem-
blance. HC had seen some soldiers
marching once when he was in the
city visiting his grandmother. And
they had looked stiff and severe and
very. very straight, like the three
green bottles.
One morning Larry and Lena went
down to their fathers store to play in
the rear room. First. their fathers
clerk prepared some delightful choco-
late ice-cream soda for them. and af-
ter they had eaten and drunk 1t all.
they said THANK you," and ran into
the back room. But to their aston
ishment and dismay. their three green
bottles were gone! Lena said. ''Oh,
my!" Larry said. My goodness"
Both exclaimed, Somebody must
have got theml" Then Lena ran into
the store and cried out to her father.
who was busily engaged with Gus
toner: Where are the soldier bot
ties, Papa 2"
Il don't know Daughter. Now. run
along and don't bother me-"
Lena stood still, framing another
question. Then she went to the soda
fountain side Of the store and asked
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

his shoulder. after the manner of the
violinists he had seen and heard, and
sagain drew the bow across the
strings. Then a strain came to him
and he repeated it on the violin. for
getting that his playing might reach
the ears of his sleeping parents and
awaken them. And that was just what
happened AS the little boy, standing
in his white night gown, interpreting
his hearts music by means of the
beautiful red violin, played on and on.
louder and again louder, he heard a
step behind him. And next he felt
his stern fathers whip across his
shoulders. Was midnight the time
for silly boys playing with a noisy
thing like violin? Why was not he
in bed and asleep. like his brothers
and sisters?
In the excitement and hurt of the
whipping the little red violin fell to
the floor and was brokenl And at
the same moment a child's tender
heart was broken. too. Ole's tears
fell for his spoilt treasure. not over
the hurt of the whip. He crept again
into bed. sad. softly weeping, and bit
terly. The world seemed hard and
cruel to him then, and in years later,
when he had to fight as all great peo-
pie must fight 70 gain recognition. he
never suffered SO intensely as he suf-
fered that night when his little red
fiddle lay a songless thing on the
floor.
But in justification of his parents 1t
must be said that they did not inten-
tionally hurt their gifted sons feel
ings. They were stern for his own
sake, SO they thought. They loved
him dearly, which was proved in
thousand ways. But they had their
ideas about children's obedience and
proper conduct, and Saving away on
a fiddle at midnight" was not in ac-
cordance with their right way of
thinking.
Ole Bull was born in the quaint.
picturesque town of Bergen. Norway,
on Feb. s, 1910, and died at his beau
tiful home on the Island of Lyso, in
the sea, eighteen miles from Bergen,
in the year 1880.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

ing men engaged on his uncle's farm
Now, don't be mischievous. darling"
she urged as her warm-hearted but
mischievous son, gave her a bear hug
and loud, echoing kiss in farewell.
I'll be goodygood." promised
Jake. And he meant 1t, too. IT
shan't play single joke on person
on the farm--not even AL Here
upon Jake grinned at his cousin, and
together the two went swinging off to
the gate, where stood AIS fine horse
hitched to neat top-buggy. gift
from his father on his last birthday.
The boys drove off. waving farewells
to Mrs. White, who stood beside the
gate till they were out OF sight. They
had six miles to drive before supper
time, and it was almost that now. So
Al touched UP his horse with the lines,
the obedient animal started off In a
fast trot and the buggy rolled along
the highway like big black bug. The
boys enjoyed the brisk ride very much.
Reaching the faril. they hurriedly
washed. combed and made themselves
neat for the appetihlng supper AIS
| mother. with the help of a maid
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

ingly. Jack had left. 1t open that
night.
We'll. we came down here to the
river where we have been having one
long picnic. and Wen never, never
return to that room again. We mean
to go over the hills to the city where
some soldiers are stationed and there
enlist in the army. Well go tonight.
Today we shall just loaf about tho
woods and have fun"
Just at that moment Lena and
Larry heard their mothers voice call
ing them. and they ran to the top of
the high hill which lay between them
and the village, and cried out that
they would come home In a minute.
Then they ran back to say good bye
to the three green bottles. and to ask
them IL they would never again come
to see their little human friends. But
to their amazement, the bottle-sol-
diers had disappeared. In vain did
the children search in the grass and
among the rocks for them, they had as
completely gone out of sight as
though the ground had swallowed
them.
And their mothers voice again call
ing to them-for she had come way
down che road to look for them
made them hurry to meet her. They
told her about the mysterious three
green bottles and she only laughed at
them. Dinner is ready. my dears."
she said. Go by the store and fetch
Papa"
At the store the chfidren Grant RI
the back room and looked for the
green bottles They were indeed gone!
And never again did they stand In
a row on that shelf. And no more
did Lena and Larry play there.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

and Larry. ran to my comrades and
lifted them from the shelf and car
ried them to the place where the
mixed liquids from tho bottles were
flowing down in a tiny stream. / held
They each got enough to work we'll.
Then I rolled them in the liquid on
the floor and some of 1t went inside
them. Then they. too. began to
dance about like monkeys. After they
found how to use themselves, said to
them-for we had also acquired the
power of speech-'Come. let's get
away from this dull place. And we
ran out through that little window
that we used to look out of so long
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

head" And so he always played,
though a deep scholar of classical
music, and master of technique. But
his playing had more in it than that
of the finished musician-it always
had his heart, as well as his head.
Those who went to criticise his Won
derful playing went away after hear
ing him to praise 1t il highest terms.
Ole Bull was what might be called a
born musician" his musical genius
being early manifest. AS a mere child
he loved music so that he would creep
under table or chair of an evening.
when his pa ents were entertaining
musical friends who spent the hours
playing upon different instruments.
and there listen enraptured to the
concert. His parents on finding him
hidden away thus would punish him
and send him of, to bed where they
declared he should have been hours
before. They, poor souls! did not re-
alize that they were sitting that which
was greatest in their sons nature
They only thought of his physical
welfare, which depended on his being
in bed and asleep by half-past seven
instead of lying hidden away beneath
a smothering sofa or curtained table
Till ten o'clock or mayhap later.
But his fondness for music could
not be overlooked and when he was
eight years of age his father presented
him with little red violin and his
mother sensibly engaged a music
teacher for him. On the night of the
day of this wonderful gift, little Ole
could not sleep for thinking of his
red violin, and about midnight, when
all the house was in deepest slumber,
he arose and crept to the room
where the brilliantly-col treasure
reposed in it's black box. Affectionately
he took it from it's bed and lay it
on a table, his eyes feasting on it
and the graceful bow beside 1t. He
could not withstand the temptation
to touch the magic strings with the
bow. Lol a birds soft song came
forth. Then he held the violin against
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

round hfs shoulder so as to have a
firm hold on Mr.. Colt. The loop went
home, getting the unsuspecting pony
round the neck. He gave a lunge.
threw up his hoofs and went off like
flash of lightning. In vain had Jake
tried to hold himself in his seat With
the pony's first lunge he had toppled,
lost his balance and went to the bed
of hay which he had intended for the
pony's repose. He was wise and
quickly loosened the rope from about
his shoulder, otherwise, he would have
been dragged about the lot at the
pony's mercy. AL had come round
the corner just in time to see his
brave and venturesome cousin throw
the lasso and had been a witness of
the whole affair AS Jake lifted him
self from the hay and looked at Al
the latter had to scream with laughter
In spite of himself.
Say, never kick man when he's
down." said Jake, sitting uo and feel
ing of his legs and arms to see II
there were any bones broken or dis
located. Finding himself sound, but
feeling a bit shaken up, he got to his
feet. "Consarn that ponyl" he said
with some show of feeling. IF he
was mine ibid disown him. I'd
give him to a tramp"
Hes too much for you. isn't he.
Jakey?" grinned AL, having recovered
from his first rebelllous laughter. Say,
/ think he's a little crackerjack. But
we'll not try lassoing him again. Won.
der how we'll get the rope from
around his neck?"
Let some of the hired men disen-
tangle the brute" suggested Jake.
Say my hip feels as though 1t had
hit my neck. and my stomach seems
to have been dented in by my knees.
Let's go to tho house and ask Aunt
Nellie for something good to eat. l
believe that Will set me up again.
Gee! It's fun lassoing Texas ponies!"
And together the boys went towards
the house, and the pony, the rope
hanging loosely about his neck, stood
gazing after them and no one will
ever know what his feelings were re-
garding his throwing the young chap
who had tried to get" him.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07
"cN1ischievous Jake" and His Lesson

~ AXE WHITE was a town boy. He
r. was usually called "Mischievous
b Jake" by those who lived In the
= neighborhood of his home. But
his mischief. up to a certain time in
this story, had never got him into any
kind of trouble. and it is safe to say
that since the time alluded to Jake
will be careful never to let it get him
into trouble again.
Jake had relatives living In the
country, an uncle, aunt. and cousin.
It was the latter whom Jake loved
to visit during his summer vacation.
His name was Albert White, being
the son of Jakes fathers brother.
The boys were about of an age and
when together had great fun playing
jokes on each other.
Albert-or Al, as he was com
monty ealled-had spent the week of
the Glorious Fourth in town. visiting
Jake, and when the time for his home
going came, he begged his uncle and
aunt to permit Jake to accompany
him.
There's such fine fishing and hunt
ing during this hot weather. Aunt Ma
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07
Puzzlecorner
TRANsPosITIoNs.

1. Transpose a straight line and
get fish.
2. Transpose a raised platform at
one end of a room and get to have
spoken words.
3. Transpose to slide over the ice
and get that which a thief does with
other peoples valuables.
WORD SQUARE.
My first blows across the prairies.
My second is that which Is seen In
the minds eye.
My third means to be nearest to
one.
My-fourth Is the day of the month.
BEHEADINGs AND CURTAILINGs.
1. Behead and curtail substanti-
ated fact and get deep track of a
wheel.
2. Behead and curtail moral fall
ings and get very cold substance.
8. Behead and curtail feeling OF
malice or ill-will and get deep hole
in the ground.
d. Behead and curta4t to be habit
ually untidy about ones person and
get to feel deep affection for some one
RIDDLE.
Formed long ago, yet made today;
Employed while others sleep:
What few would like to give away.
And fewer still 10 keep.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

planned that neither Papa nor Jack
knew anything about their soldier bot
ties. They did not care to stay there
now, that their best friends were gone,
so started out at the back door. They
went a little way down an alley and
turned towards the river half mile
away. Lena. being the elder. usually
made their plans. and she suggested
that they go to the mill pond and
watch the water rush over the dam.
So they ran along down the dusty
road. knowing that their mother would
not care.
When they reached the bank of
the broad, rapidly flowing river, Lena
paused and pointed towards three
figures sitting on the bank. See. :"
she cried, there are our three green
bottles! They are dressed up like
soldiers. and have swords at their
Sides"
Larry looked. and sure enough.
there were the three green bottles.
sitting side by side. their arms
linked together. They glanced up.
and. seeing their old friends. arose as
one man and came bravely forward.
keeping step in a soldierly manner.
Their swords clinked as they walked
and their arms were held akimbo.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

reckon you'd like trying that little
caper. Nephey. butt takes cooler
and older head than yours, a stronger
arm and more practiced eye to lasso
a wild animal. I know you and AL
have lassoed the gentle horses-till I
put stop to it, but lassoing wild
Texas pony-thats only out of the colt
age-isn't so easy. That colt--or
pony-is caution. He's got the pas
ture to- himself" Mr.. White laughed.
Yes, and he's as trim and pretty
as he can be-" put in AL. his cheeks
bullying with good things TO eat. for
which his mother gently reproved him
by whispering to him that because he
had been away from home for a week
he should not take advantage of his
parents joy at his Homecoming to dis
play bad table manners.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

servant, was placing on the table. She
greeted the boys affectionately, well
coming Jake, as was always her cor
dial way. Jake's uncle camo swinging
up from the cattle sheds, crying OUT:
Hello, kidsi Back to the land, Ell,
All" Then he had a loving scuffle
with his nephew, who was named in
his honor. and all hands went into
supper.
Say, has Al told you of our new
colt?" asked Mr.. White at supper.
Hes yet unbroken. though several
of the hands have tried putting a
bride and saddle on him. He's to be
AIS, II he's ever conquered. I got him
from a greaser who went past here
tother day-got him for song, and
sang 1t myself as the old saying
goes"
mo. AL hasn't told me about his
new possession said Jake. I'll lasso
him for you, Uncle-if you want me
to. I'll throw him and then one of
the men can bride and saddle him
while he's down"
Mr.. White shook his head. 81
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

Larry began to laugh, and ran to
meet the three green bottles, and Lena
stood bowling and smiling to them.
They came up the bank and held out
their stiff arms towards the children,
wishing to shake hands with them. 1t
was happy meeting and Lena and
Larry asked in one breath how they
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

had managed to turn into soldiers.
Well" replied the one who
seemed to have become the leader
of the three, ''it is this way. We
sat on cop that dusty, lonely shelf
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07
A Fantastic Story For Wee Ones.

in low voice of Jack, the soda
clerk: "Did you get the three green
bottles? They were mine and Larrys. .
Jack shook his head. Never saw
Them he said. Run along and
don't bother me. I'm making some
syrups."
Lena returned to Larry and ex-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07
Barefoot TiWe

~ N the farm in summer time.
When days are warm and sweet,
The children love barefoot to go.
To them it is a treat.
They kick the long grass blades about:
They climb the rough barked trees;
In brook or meadow-pond they wade
In water to their knees.
Or down the dusty road they run.
APPLYING Hound-and-H Hare
Or in the cornfield, Hide-and-Seek
Their laughter everywhere!
For summer time is barefoot time
For girls and boys you know;
:. hen sun is bright and days are long.
And gentle breezes blow.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

ANSWEKD TO last WEEK. 3 FUZ-
ZLES.
NUMERICAL PUZzLE:-Il1ustrat-
ed. Words spelled from ii, I. Tale. 2.
Star. 3. III. 4. Idle. 5. Lead. 6.
Late. 7. Rats. 8. Artist. 9. Stride.
10. Dali
LETTER ENIGMA: Fourth July.
RIDDLE.--A Mask.
ILLUSTRATED PUZZLE: - Fire
crackers make great fvM on the
Fourth. @h
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07

- HERE were just three of them
4 standing close together on a
long shelf In the rear room of
- a village drug store. They had
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

hope that he was ashamed. To this was added immense applause at his Dreyfu- sard activity from the rigidly Dreyfu- sard English press. The result was that the average Englshman was transfixed by the firm conviction that zola was the greatest of French authors, because he was the only one whom he had ever heard talked about This diea firmly fixed, the Englishman went on to say, In sort of rapture, And this greatest of Frenchmen, this philosopher and follower of truth, he is for Dreyfus, and so am l." Zola was glorified for the sake of Dreyfus; and then Dreyfus was regilded with the glory of zola. It was so with all the other literary figures as far as they were mentioned at all.
 We~should think it rather unconvincing If Navalier, just after the restoration, had argued that all the great ministers of state, by a curious coincidence. were cavaliers. We should not be wholly satisfied with the argument of a Catnu- lie if he said, See how Catholics suc- ceed! The position of the Pope is the highest in Christendom. and every man who ever got 1t was a Catholic" We should think it inconelusive if an Angli- can remarked shrewdly on the fact that each of the two English arehbishops is an Anglican, and neither of them Wes- leyan Methodist Yet it is every inch as foolish to argue that all great writers are rationalists merely because rational istic people generally read rationalistic' books. It is equally foolish to argue that everything that is happening is socialistic merely because, when you are In socialist circles you generally hear the socialist news. It is quite as inept to imagine that there are no other Russian saints or sages than Tolstoi, merely because TolstOi