davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24
It Was Something Else.

>EE here. sir" he began as a caller
entered his office, 81 don't want
- to be asked if I've seen any robins
during the last week.
"All right was the reply.
II don't want to be asked if I'm
glad the winter is over"
MOP"
II don't want to be asked what I
think the weather will be in March, ?
Just as you say. sir"
And don't ask me whether the
summer is to be hot or cold"
''I won't
Nor if I've figured out who is to
be the next Presidential candidate
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24

WHAT HANNAH SAID.

"FTER the farmer had shown me
over his acres and called my at
tentfon to q new barn and various
other improvements. casually OBJ
served.
7 believe you were a member of
the last Assembly,"
Yes, sir
Not another word was said for the
next three minutes. Then he turned
to me with:
But / didn't sell out, sir. The
morning left home to go to Al
bany the old woman says to me:
:. 'Salathiel, we need a new barn
. We do, Hammer
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24
Song of High Prices.

Going up?" the Butter asked,
Of the Storage Esq;
IF your car is not o'ertask ed-''
Nay, get on, I beg.
All, here's Pork Chop close beside,
With the Beefsteak lord,
Ham, too, cannot be denied;
Now were all aboard
CHORUS.
Going up. going up! MY but amt
we high?
Going up, going up! Soon wen reach
the skyl
"Once of common folks the stay
Now We're upper crust
More exclusive day by day,
Thanks unto the trust.
Such advancement must atone
For our naughty airs;
It's so different when ones known
But to millionaires.''
CHORUS.
Going UP, going up Trusts will hold
us tight.
Going up, going up! Till we're out
of sight.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24

Certainly not"
Nor ask me my opinion about the
trusts investigation
II won't"
In fact, sir" continued the man in
the swing-chair, don't ask me a
burned thing"
II wasn't intending to, SIR
Then why in thunder are you
here?''
ITO present this butcher bill and
remark that if not paid at the end
of three days you'll get a summons
in a lawsuit! Not a question have
I asked. Good-dayi
JOE KERR.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24

Yes. yes
land you got raised
IT see.'
Then, Salathiel. you raise back
and keep a-raising till you've got the
value of the farm, the cows, the sheep
the hogs and our old speckled rooster
in the pot, or don't you never come
back here speeding me to live with
you a single day
And that's how it was" smiled
the farmer. IT got the straight-fiush
and raised and raised till she hit the
clouds, and when the hands was laid
down I'd beat even the members that
had sold out for $4,000 apiece! Great
woman, Hammer is!'
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24

r. SAW a robin 'tother day,
And tits a sign of spring;
And as he few from tree to tree
He did most sweetly sing.
mo more the snow will fall for US,
No more the winds will bite;
Go now and pawn your winter duds,
And get on something light.
Bring out that hat from Panama,
To cotton change your socks;
And plant your cabbages and things
And loose your risky f1ocks."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24

And the house wants painting
She surely do
And the fences must be fixed
:" They've got to be-
!" 'Salathiel. you are going to Al
bany to vote honest and straight
" 'Betcher life, Hammer
. No grating
Not a cent
But, Salathiel, if you should hap
pen to be playing poker, and you
should happen to hold a straight
flush
yes, Hammer"
And you didn't believe any Of the
other fellers had better'n a full
ho11sa-'
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24
THE MATING SEASON.

she turned on me with:
Josh Brown, if we acted as silly
as that when we were counting 1 won
der that somebody didn't break our
necks!'
And yet. stranger" he said after
a pause and a sigh, Il reckon we
acted even wuss, because no goose can
sit on a gander's knee and call him
her do1ly-wolly peti''
JOE KERR.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24

~ He farmer had just carried the
last bag of potatoes into the gro
Gerry. and was warming his hands
at the stove. when I said to him:
Lets see2 Isn't this the season
when the geese mate ~
Yes, sir" he answered
..The gander makes love TO one of
the flock? ?"
He does
And she gives him her heart and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24
The First Fool Robin.

So said a man in festive giee.
AS in the car he rode;
A blowing through the foot Of snow
That Nature had bestowed.
We looked him DER with careful eye.
But ne'er a word of tongue:
Twas plain to see the only spring
Was in his being sprung.
JOE KERR
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24
THE DIAGNOSIS.

Doctor-'so you've been troubled
with nightmare. What did you have
for dinner last evening
Patient - Champagne cocktails,
blue points, green turtle soup, broiled
lobster. truf11ed turkey
Doctor - Heavens. mani That
nightmare must have been a thor
oughbred.a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24
MAGINATION-

rs the flavor of a ten-cent cigar
really any better than that of a nickel
oDe?''
Yes. IL you know that it cost a
Gim@.'s
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-24

The zoologist-A monkey has four
hands,
Nisitor-Yes. It's a shame to see
the animal neglect its Opportunities
It could play an entire game OF br,a,-.
all by itself.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

were no birds? Why d you wish to
XIII them? How do you expect me to
teach your children? Have you no pity
Tor the beautiful birds and their
young ones? Please let them live"
When the teacher finished speaking
the farmers nodded their yellow heads
and smiled. Wen not listen TO that
crazy fellow. but to the Judge" they
said. So they kept their word. When
they would see crow in the orchard
the bird would soon be dead.
Someties the mother bird would fly
down from her nest to get some
worms Tor her young. Then she would
get wounded. The poor thing would
lay on the ground dying while the
young birds would starve. When 4
woman would come by tree worm
would drop on her hat or gown. Then
there was a scream.
One year passed. and the farmers
were sorry that they had killed the
birds. There was no one to keep the
worms out of the orchard. One day a
wagon came through Kiningworth
with many cages in 1t and little birds
In Them. The farmers shouted, and
set free the little prisoners. From
that day the people of Killinsworth
loved birds. Composed by
REBECCA r. COOPER.
23l Halifax Street, PetersbudE Va
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Editorial And Literary Department

The other kind OF flower is located
on the car. and is called the silk"
ana bears the pestil. a field OF corn.
when "tasseled out" Is a very beau
tiiul sight. There are many varieties
or corn. The most important kinds
arc flint. dent. sweet corn and pop
corn. The Hint corn has small
stalk and small ear. on which the
grains are nard and compact Dent
corn is the most important, ans con-
tains the greatest number OF varieties.
II is grown all over tho corn belt
region. and furnishes nearly all the
crop raised In this country. Sweet
corn contains larger proportion of
sugar than other varieties Popcorn
takes Its name from the fact that the
kernel when heated bursts omen.
When heated the interior bursts
through the coating and tho kernel
turns itself inside OFT.
EDITH ALLEN.
2Z55 IL Nenable Street, Richmond
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
birds HAyP cNEN ABOUT MY
HOME.

One day I was going through our
pantry. when I heard something l.
ting against the window. looked
UP and saw cardinal flying against
the window. striking with his heaie. He
kept that up nearly all day. and did
the same way the next day. The third
day he came with his mate and stayed
around home two or three days. Then
he went away, and we have never seen
him since.
There is a robin that has been build
ing his nest in tho Same tree. IN my
front yard for two or three years. Wo
have all been very much Interested In
this bird.
On our front porch in tile Virginia
cr1cpcr there was a little house spar
rows nest. My brother wanted to see
Sc there were any eggs in the nest.
so he climbed up on the bannister a..d
put his hand IN the nest, and found
three eggs The bird never came back
again, and we all were very sorry
K.ECY ". WALKER
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
BIRDS.

Birds are one OF our most common
flying fowls. There are large and
small birds. Some live in the far
south, some in the North. and many
more In the temperate zone. The larg-
est bird is the condor of South Amer
lea The eagle is the largest bird
OF the United States. 1t lives mostly
in the mountains. The English spar
row is the most common OF birds. 1t
is very bold, and makes its nests I'M
der the ewes of houses. Some Birds
go South in the winter and stay mntil
spring, when they fly back. Some of
our birds that stay here in winter are
the snowbird. the blue and redbirds
and the cedar bird. There Is but one
bird that has learned 10 talk, and that
is the parrot
Birds have very mysterious ways of
protecting their nests and young
birds. which they guard very carefully.
MARGARET PROCTOR.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
ABRAHAM LINCoLN's KINDNESS
TO BIRD.

In the carly pioneer days. when Lin
coin was young attorney and rode
the circuit" he was ono day travel
ing on horseback from one town to
another with party or friends. The
road was rough. and led across woods
ana prairies. As they passed by a
grove where the birds were singing
sweetly they saw baby bird which
mad fallen from the nest. and lay
iluttering hy the, road. After they
had gone short distance Mr.. Lincoln
said: Wait for me a moment. / Will
soon rejoin YOU
His friends watched him They saw
Air. Lincoln return to the helpless
bird, pick IL up and tenderly lay 1t in
the nest. When he Joined his COM
panions one OF them said: why did
you bother yourself and delay us with
such a tritle as thls?"
Abraham Lincoln deserves to he re-
menbered. My friend" said he. 1T
can only say this: that feel better
for 1t. could not have slept tonight
If had Loft the helpless little
creature 10 perish on the ground.
MARY MCDANIEL
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
OUR NATIVE BIRns.

Tho people of Virginia are blessed
by having so many beautiful birds |
think the mockinEbIrd cannot be
equaled az a sonester.
The robin redbreast 4. the farmer s
friend. but the English sparrow ia
mis- enemy. The bluebird and the
cardinal bird arc among the rrettiest.
This hawk. crow and owl catch the
farmers poultry.
On summer nights we may hear the
whippoorwills cry from some neigh
boring tree The snipe is one OF the
birds that move around by night.
Among the many birds that are good
TO cat arc tho wild duck. goose and
turkey and the Partridge
Most OF the birds go South In aut-
umn and come again in the spring,
hut the faithful snowbird stays by
US.
am afraid man would find this a
dreary world without his fcathered
friends. ELIZABETH HALL
King and Queen Courthouse, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
BOY SCOUTS.


The 30" Scouts is an organization
with tho purpose of character build
ing, eligible TO boys between the ages
of twelve and eighteen. II is an eff
fort 10 get boys 10 understand and ap-
preciate the things about them and
10 train them in self-reliance. man
hood and good citizenship. The boys
live out OF doors as much as possible.
camping, hiking" and learning the Sc
crets of tho woods and fields.
The Boy Scouts were started in
England in lo0S by General Sir Robert
Baden Powell.
Tho Boy Scouts idea was first
starued in America early in the year
1910, and the growth has been re-
markable
The boys OF our country want to he
the very hest kind of citizens. and
they can he nclped in this greatly by
the Boy Scouts OF America
FRED HARRIS.
Age ten years.
IN
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Campaign for Better
Health Conditions
Ny Dear Girls and Boys:

My Dear Girls and Boys:
May has brought sunshine and lovely
weather as prelude to summer, whic :
VIII soon be here. Now | wish you
TO make this summer little different
from others. 1 should like It to mark
distinct advance for your page over
summers that have gone before
All boys and girls are interested in
questions and conditions that affect
health, Tho Importance of conditions
bearing upon health are taught in
schools to-day and impressed upon the
minds OF young people. But teaching,
10 be effective, must be like bread
cast upon the waters" Members OK
Tho Times-Dispatch Childron's CLUB
have publicly paved a way and led SEN
timent many times during the years
that have passed since their organiza-
ton Now they have an opportunity to
begin campaign for better health
conditions.
suppose You write me all you have
been taught regarding the house ny
and the trouble he spreads. the mos
quito and the malaria his bite causes.
suppose YOU tell what remedies You
think should be used in houses 10 keep
nl2s out. in markets and other places
where food is offered for sale 10 keep
wares free from the Contamination of
the house iy.
The interesting letter published to-
day regarding the Scouts dwalls upon
the necessity of boys being trained to
he good citizens Eoys and girls. too.
are Interested in whatever concerns the
good of the community in which they
live, so | hope to have. some good let
ters from YOU and some good draw
ings to illustrate your Better Health
Campai gn."
The state Board of Health needs all
the help You can give. ana If you are
in earnest. that will he a great deal!
Justify to this board and TO others
watching the confidence put in YOU by
YOUR EDITOR
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
BIRDS.

: The time of the singing OF birds
has come. ! can hear them singing
so sweetiy! i love to find their nests.
I have been looking for them already.
The quail is so shy when you begin
to hunt for Its nest, 1T runs on the
ground and pretends that It's wing Ia
broken. The wren loves to build in
old houses
My sister found birds nest in
hollow of an old apple tree the other
daN. and we have been Watching 1t
nearly every day.
Composed by
RUTH INGRAM.
Crews, Va r. F. D. No.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12


Though least In size. the glittering
mantle of the humming bird entitlo
1t to the first place in the list OF the
birds OF the New World 1T may truly
be called the Bird of Paradise, and
had 1t existed in tho Old World it
would have claimed the title instead of
the bird which has now the honor
to bear it. See II dartirG through tho
air almost as quick asthought ! Now il
is within q yard OF your face! In an
instant gone. Now 1t flutters from
flower to flower to sip the silver dew.
II Is now ruby. now "a topaz, now
an emerald, now all Furnished gold
Tho tongue Of the humminEbird is
formed much like that Of the wood
pecker, being curled round the head
under the skin. and thus capable of
being darted TO a considerable dis
tancc
Like many other little creatures, the
hummingbird is remarkable for its
assurance and impudencc. 1t Ia easily
tanned for that very reason, and has
been known to domesticatc itself in
an hour from the time of its capture,
and even when released 1t has return
ed again to partakc Of tho dainties
which it has tasted during its cap
tivity.
There are an immense number o.
species of these exquisite birds. vary
ing from the size of a swift to that OF
"A humble bee.
The nests are very neat and beau
titul. and, as may hc Imagined from
tho diminutive size OF tho little archi
tfct, exceedingly small They are com
posed Of down, cotton. etc, and are
sometimes covered on the outside with
MOSES and Ichens
ELIZABETH WINSTON.
l211 North Twcnty-ninth Street,
Richmond
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
TUE BrNDs OF kILlrNGwonrH.

Spring was coming. The trees were
swelling with buds The bluebirds
were singing in the trees. The robins
were stealing cherries from the farm
mcrs' orchards. The black crows
We're looking very hungry. Very ften
they would fly int the orchards and
steal some corn.
The farmers dctcstcd these birds
Tho reason was this. the birds stole
from their orchards Tic farmers de-
cldcG to call meeting to see what
should he douc ABOUT these birds.
FIRST came tho Judge out Of the VIII tie
house that had q red roof. He was
very proud Then tho minister came.
As he walked On he killed the daisy
underneath his feet with the head of
his cane. In summer the minister
killed the deer. Tie had no pity for
birds or beasts After the minister
nme the deacon. larEe. stout man.
He was sauntering along in a slow
manner. He wore white stiff neck
tie Last came the teacher studying
the white fleecy clouds. Occas ionaily
he looked al the birds on the trees.
A. the meeting the Judge said;
good do they do? steal the cherries
and corn ort OF tho orchards. They
are worthless. I say. We can make
law to pay any ono who brings us
dead crow" All the farmers liked
hts speech.
The teacher rose 90 make his nj "a
Hear me-" he began. you cannot
possibly know what Won arc saying
When YOU say that birds are worth
less. Why Is II because the croY
steals handful III corn and the
robin OF cherries? Who iightens your
dearkcSt hours With their music: The
birds do Who would kill the worms
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Having Delightful weather.

Dear Edltor.-we are having delightful
weather here to-day. / am sending draw
ms with swans or ducks on the water. You
told us 10 send birds, SO ! Irohcd in a ref
croucc hook ard II said THAI poultry was
sometimes called birds SO am sending
This drawing and hope II will reach Rich
mond ia time for the paper. Rtase try TO
md q space tor II; II I send my drawings
or sto,lcs IN about Monday or Tuesday be
toro sunday Will II bo IA time for the
uapcr? / remain. your loving member.
ELISE WSLLNAN.
is King street Sewborry. ,. -.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

Dear Editor,-Plcase send me another
badl,c. as ! lost mine. I am sending you a
piece ON Boy Scouts" hoping YOU will
md Il place on the y. %. =. {. page for Il.
Iear Edltor. Two had tho humps You
oubht To have seen ny faos. Please excuse
my writing. as my ink is no good would
like very much TO win prize.
MASTER FRED HARRIS.
Box -. Dunlbarton. Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

1. Last summer I took walk in
the country and came 10 pond with
with one place for big fishes and one
place for little fishes
e. On one side grew bush and on
the other side grew two tall trees.
3. walked short distance and
came to another pond with boa, on
1t and a house on one side.
4. walked all around the pond and
came back another road What did I
find? Look and tell me.
GERTRUDE EBEL
1884 West Grace, Richmond.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

pear EGitcr,-I was once a member Of the
r D. C.. but have not written for so long
that reckon YOU have forgottcn me. stili
nave my badge and wear 1t on my coat.
30 10 school and am in tho seventh 5rado.
AS summer is coming on I Will hare more
time 20 write. am sending an orisina!
story. which / hope 10 see in print. / re-
main your old member.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

THE WEEI<'S PRIZE WINNERS.
Master Fred Harris, Dumbnrton Va
Miss Edith Allen. 2235hs ycnabIe Street,
city.
Miss Jean Frances Crnig, 507 East
franklin Street. city.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Independence, Va.
IA Story About Rlrd..

Dear Editor.--.I am sending the story about
birds to-day hope it will reach your
ofricc before You have planned out your
auge. Wishlns YOU and Your members much
success, am your true member
RUTH INGRAM.
r. +. u. 80. >. Crcwc. Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

MEDtLISTS FOR TIE MONTH.
Miss Edith Anderson, Louisa. Va.
Muster Andrew Iettinger, 2226 Barry
Avenue, Chicago, Ill.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Name. of nird. in riuyre,.

NHHcH OF Hiruh In Figures.
l. :, IL. Fl, 5. 10. l. >, 5.
?. II, Q. i2, /. 6. o. IS
3. 20, Is. Is. {, Is. 5. ). IL. is.
!. 10. Is. 3. IL. 2. IA. :.
o. 3, !. Is. 1. Q. IA. !. IL
9. ?. -. II. 5. 2. 8. is. 4.
Z. Is. Is. 3. 10. IL, 5.
{. S, .. ~, /. Is. rs.
?. .. l. II. /. is, rs.
10. 2. Is. .. %. S. .. 20, 3.
Composed by
REBECCA COOPER.
23l Halifax street. Petersburg. Va
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Girls Names In Figures.

/. 10. /. IL, 12, Q. 3.
2 10. 81, go. s.
3. s. :, H. 3. IA.
4. 2. 5. 10. IL. Q. s.
5. II, Fl, =. IL. ..
STUART BEAIA
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

Ny hrst Is In rays, and also in pays.
My second is in snack, but NOT in
rack.
My third is in pick. and also in lick.
MY fourth is in pipe, but not in
type.
My NTH is in rcd and also In bed.
My whole is in "A birds name.
ELIZABETH HALL.
King and Queen Courthouse. Va,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Went with Jim Ted to Fries.

Dear Editor.-Ycstcrday my father haa 70
20 TO Roanoke and Sim Ted and myself
wanted to tnkc him 10 Fries. Charlie was
going TO drive the colts and take dada IN
the buggy. bu, beEscd him to let Charlie
take the surrey. and he told Charie 10
hitch up and could so with him We
started and stopped To get my consn. Si'lle
Rose. When got 20 Fries almost ever! :
body had gone TO church. We ate dinner
and in little while the train came up ana
dada left. Then started home. Wo went
around by the Island Ford. Chaotic lost one
OF his gloves and had to go about TWO mics
sack before lie found II. Sallle Rose. anu
myself S,,nburncd awfully bad. Our faces
and arms were blletcred. We stopped a
good many times to gather flowers We had
lots of fun telling Jokes and gathering
flowers. There many violots along
tic river banks and little streams We
drove up the river for about TWO or three
miles Tho road runs along right by tho
side OF tho river. The reason they call tho
place Island Ford is because where you
ford the river right In the middle OF II
is large island. about hah mile !ons. |
don, know how wide 1t Is 1t was covered
,vtsh oats and as Erecn willow trees
grow all around tho edge. II is beau
tlful place. I Will close TITS time Thanh.
50 much for my prize. was 30 proud OF
MARY FULTON RHUDY.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
Cores po,sde,sce Column
Frying for Prize at County School rair.

Trying Tor PriHe mt County school tntr.
Dear Editor.:I certainly was delighted TO
End my name on The prize list this week.
and was furthermore de,lyhtcd WHOM my
prize came. Thank you ever 40 much for It.
1t was ,xactly what wanted. and you SEQ
what needed. for / certainly am beginning
using 1t carly, don, you think 40? l am
going to try for the prize at ;hc County
school Fair. and have written sreni many
ORIGINAL stories, but haven't decided on any
one yet, Inc;osed YOU will fnd compaso-
ton. which would like very much to see
in print. | certainly Would like to get
medal and going TO Try hard for one
Before go, a prize ] said would give
anything Just to win prize. but now that
/ have won a prize | say would give any
lhinE for medal. and hope i shall get my
second wish. Thanking YOU again for ms
Prize. ! am your Ir6nioer.
Mathews, Va. GENENlENE c. BURKE.