davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21
A Skeleton That Lived.

"DOCTOR was much annoyed by Ia an incorrigible newsboy who would rush into his reception room when 1t was filled with waiting patients, crying in a lusty voice. Even papers! Even papers-penny each!" So he conceived a plan by which he might give the boy fright and keep him out. He had a fine skeleton in a closet which opened near to the re- ception room door. With a strong cord tied to the skeleton, he arranged 50 as to pull it forward to the door when it opened from the outside. Then explaining the plan to his waiting patients, the doctor sat himself to wait for the boy The youngster soon appeared, kicked open the door and began to yell, Even pa" when the skeleton jumped from the closet near at hand, grinning into the startled newsboy's face. Only for an instant did the boy look; then he made tracks" faster than the proverbial rabbit. The doctor. fearing lest his joke had been too practical, ran out Into the street in quest of the boy to explain that the skeleton could not do any harm. He found the boy hid Ing behind the corner of nearby house, and when he called out to him to come back. the boy stuck out his face, replying in startled tones; Nix, you don't git me there agin. I know you, even if you have got on skin and clothes-you're that skelington what Jumped at me a while ago."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

what lovely dolly you are" She was speaking to Lulu's new doll, Pearl.
 Lulu turned to the child and at once detected that she was both lame and delicate. Her face was pale and pinched, as is so often the case with poor little cripples. "Oh," smiled Lulu, her great, good heart responding to the little girl, isn't she a darling? I got her on Christmas. She's al- most new yet, for I've played such little bit with her. Would you like to take her in your arms while we stand here?"
 As Lulu offered the doll to the lame child, the latter's face became suf- fused with pleasure. "Oh, thank you" she said, taking Pearl in her arms and looking tenderly into the great blue eyes which would close if you placed her in lying position. "Oh, how heavy she isl' And the child showed her admiration for the huge toy. q never saw so large doll- and so beautiful a one."
 See mine." and Janey held her doll, Myrtle, over for the lame girls inspection. Isn't she quite lovely too?"
 "Oh, yes, she is beautiful" declared the child. But she turned again to the doll in her arms which was more to her taste than was Janeys, for Pearl was golden haired and blue eyed while Myrtle had raven locks, done in waves, and brown eyes.
 Do you like seeing the monkeys?" asked Lulu, continuing to converse with the little stranger.
 "Yes. l come here almost every day-when l feel strong enough. You see. am not very strong. But l do
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

homes, so to speak. And we-Why, why, just look up in these trees and see our housesl They are works of art. and represent the aristocracy of Orchardville-we, the Sparrows! The other inhabitants of the city live in holes in the trees or holes beneath old cabbage roots or corn roots. We are the upper class. if you please. and by that right we refuse to have our grounds filled up with beggars."
 While the vain, foolish, bragging Sparrow was talking, a couple of Squirrels had come up to listen to him, and they had been followed by a half dozen Field Mice. You may have an idea that these little listeners did not relish what the egotistical Spar row was saying about their living in holes in the trees and the ground. So one of the Squirrels turned and whis- pered to his fellows, and in turn to the Field Mice. saying:
 we've taken about all off that fell low that we're going to take. Sup pose we resent his and his com panions' actions toward us in a very emphatic manner? Suppose we en- gage them in combat?"
 "Agreed" cried the other Squirrels (for now half a dozen of them had been drawn to the spot through curi- osity) agreed, friend. Let's teach them a lesson-the selfish, overbear- ing things!"
 "Yes, and we'll lend our assist ance," said a quiet little Field Mouse. We've been so cruelty treated by the Sparrows. They chase us away from every morsel of food the Brown Boy and Girl so kindly bring here. And why they should be favored. l don't know"
 Now, charge themi" It was a big Squirrel who gave the command. And all followed his order. But before doing this, one of the Field Mice had slipped round close to a group of Snow Birds and had whispered to them of their intention. 'We1l put tho 5e robbers to rout." And the Snow Birds, quick to understand, said: Were with you. shoulder to shoul- der"
 And such a charge as 1t wasl Never had there been warfare in the or- chard before. But the time had come when the Sparows could no longer rule the roost." When the Squirrels made a break for the Spar rows, several of the latter were caught in the sharp claws of the for mer and began crying out for mercy. Then the Field Mice made rush
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21


 WN ULU YOUNG had had so many
 splendid gifts on Christmas and New Year that many of A<aM her old toys had been cast aside. Some had been given to chill dren less fortunate in the matter of gifts than Lulu. But some of the old playthings had been too much broken and marred to give to any other child. Such cast-offs were lying in the attic, waiting to be thrown out during the spring house. cleaning which was yet long way off.
 One day Lulu and her little friend Janey went out for walk in the park. They carried with them their new dolls, all dressed in their Christmas clothes and looking as spick and span as the day they came off the Christ mas tree.
 Don't you love your new dolly lots better than your old one?" asked Janey of Lulu, hugging her own new dolly tenderly.
 well. it's this way said Lulu. "I never could love another doll better than I have always loved-since got her, you know - dear, sweet Helen Ann. She was always such a dear. Her eyes are just as pretty now as when I got her three years ago last Christmas. But one hand is gone and crack spells the lower part or her face. still, I love her-even though she is now a cast-of.
 "Yes, I know how you feel about her" replied Janey. Il nave tne same feeling for my old Gertrude And the other day Mamma sad she meant to give Gertrude to our washer woman's little girl, and 1t made me cry-almost. I just couldn't pear ,o think of some other girl loving anu owning Gertie. But of course, Nam mas right. l shouldn't wish to Keep doll I no longer play with"
 Shall we go over to the monkey house and see the monkeys play?'' a.,xed Lulu, covering her new dolls face against the cold wind.
 "Oh. yes, it's such fun. And our new dollies-Pearl and Myrtle-have never seen the monkeys. So well take them over there today"
 And away the two little girls went, carrying their new dollies with them as though they were sure-enough children. At the monkey-house they found good places to stand where they might watch dozen of the funny little creatures playing pranks on each other in the enormous cages. As they became absorbed in the an { tics of the monkeys. Lulu and Janey did not observe little lame girl who had come to stand quite close to them. The first they knew of her presence was her little voice. saying: "Oh,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

RA ACk or the 6roWn mousse fhh HkA acres and acres of fine orchard. M There were apple trees, cherry eA% trees, plum trees. peach trees. and other kinds of trees, too. But those I have named were in abund- ance and were responsible for the Browns cellar being full of jelly, jam, butter, preserves. cider and spiced- pickles. My-oh, but Jimmy and Katie Brown did love that fine Drchardl During the summer they played there in the shade of it's trees; in the autumn. they went there to gather the splendid fruit, along with the hands employed on the farm. But during the winter Jimmy and Katie rarely went into the orch ard at all, for the snow drffted there, pretty deep, and there was no place in which to play of cold days, like down at the stables and hay stacks and in the warm, southern front porch. So the orchard was turned over to other creatures. And they--several kinds of creatures ralled the place Orchardville.
 First of importance were the Squir- tels. They lived inside the big forest trees which bordered the orchard on the North. You see, the double row pf forest trees" as the non-fruit- bearing trees were called - were planted there just to serve as wind break to the fruit bearers. And they served well their purpose, for their trunks were thick and their branches many. and a hedge grew near by which lifted its top to the lower branches. This wall of trunk, bough and twig, caught the snow and formed a still better wind break for the orch ard trees. And it also protected the homes of the creatures living in the orchard.
 Well. next to the Squirrels that lived in the forest trees there were the Field Mice who were sort of ramblers. But during the winter they had quarters in which they dwelt till the spring came to warm the earth and call them forth to fields anew. Their houses were neat, cozy little dens dug beneath the surface of the earth's crust. and when the snow came, it made them securely warm.
 And now I have named the Squir- rels and the Field Mice. Third in importance were the Sparrows, a great number of them. They loved the orchard during all the year round never going far away at any time They had the most delightful homes too, for Jimmy and Katie, with theiI fathers assistance, of course, had built very pretty cottages for them and mt them in the trees in very secure places where the great branches would hold them against all sorts of weather.
 Now, these same dear little spar rows got very selfish, and tried to lord 1t over" the rest of creature kind in Orchardville. They thought because their houses were handmade that they, the residents of such ar tistic quarters, were superior. But the Squirrels thought differently. Sc
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

IN lS4O the city Of New ork com
 prised three hundred thousand in-
 habitants, and was then, as now,
 V the metropolis of the country. Of 1t historian has the following inter esting facts to relate:
 The great centre of trade. com merce, finance. and wealth, had now become a singular mixture of the old and the new. of buildings of all sizes and materials from the gaily-painted one-story cottage of wood to the five story edifice of brick. Broadway was still badly paved, poorly lighted by gas, and was lined along the edge of the sidewalks by the remains of a once f1ourishing row of Lombardy pop lars. The street, however, was the great promenade, the great thorough fare and the greatest centre of trade and fashion in the country. Up and down it's ill-paved roadway rumbled all day long an endless stream of omnibuses, cabs. hackney coaches, hand carts, phaetons, and private con veyances with now and then foot man in livery for with the increase in wealth had come luxury and dis play. Up and down it's sidewalks every fine morning moved gay throng of sightseers, shoppers, loiterers taking the air. From two to three o'clock was the fashionable hour, and then Broadway with it's hundred omni- buses, its horsemen, it's motley crowd of foreigners, it's little barefoot girls who swept the crossings. it's ragged boys who sold matches and cried penny newspapers, it's brightly dressed women and young beaux with Byron collars and whiskers under their chins, presented sight such as no other American city could show. Heaven save the ladies!' wrote Boz as he described the scene, how they dress! We have seen more colors in these ten minutes than we should have seen elsewhere In as many days What various parasols, what rainbow silks and satins, what pinching of thin shoes, and f1uttering of ribbons and silk tassels, and display of rich cloaks with gaudy hoods and lining!'
 All travellers who described life in New York at that time agree with Boz. One declares that the finery dis played by the women was amazing, that the show of shawls, bonnets, feathers, furs, and waists pinched all most to nothing was astonishing, and that any fine day you could see enough velvet at four dollars a yard to cover Broadway from one end to the other.
 "The poet Willis describes a day on Broadway as he saw it. By eight o'clock in the morning, he wrote. the clerks and workies have all passed down town, and by nine the sidewalks are crowded with bankers and specu- lators bound for Wall street. with old merchants and junior partners on their way to Pearl and Water streets, and lawyers bound to Nassau and Pine Streets. Walk into Niblos and stop in the greenhouse for an hour and you would find few there. Step into
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

give one of them up. As am better Pearl, I think I shall discard Pearl. Yes, the more I think about it. the more I think I shall let Pearl be the off'-Wouldn't you, Janey?"
 "Oh, by all means" agreed Janey, smiling into the eyes of the little lame girl. You do love Helen Ann so much that it would break your heart to part from her. So just give up Pearl, for you haven't yet become so much attached to her."
 Well, I believe I shall" said Lulu. Then she began saying to herself in an undertone, but so that the little lame girl might hear: Let me see who shall I give her to? I don't think of any one that l know just now. Let me see-Oh, l have 1t! I'll give it to you, little girl, for you will love her so tenderIy, and she will bring you so much happiness on the days when you can't come to the park to watch the monkeys play. That's what I'll do." And Lulu pushed Pearl deeper into the little girls arms. for the child was offering her back to Lulu.
 "Ohl" And the lame child stood speeches. for a whole minute, look- ing from doll to Lulu. Then she saio in a low voice which quivered with emotion: "I don't think l ought to take your lovely Christmas doll. May be your mother would not like you to give her away. It is so kind of you and I love you for making the offer-but, I fear I should not take your lovely Pearl"
 "Oh, please accept her." cried Lulu. now determined the child should nave Pearl. "As for Mamma-why, 1t IS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21
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Broadway again and you would be sure to meet foreigners coming out of the cafe after a late breakfast. country people shopping, closely yelled women hurrying to the dress makers, errand boys, newsboys, and at twelve o'clock mechanics going home for dinner. At one o'clock Broadway begins to brighten. Side streets pour out their streams of silk and velvet, feathers. flowers, ladies, dandies, shoppers and loungers of every description. The sidewalks are crowded, and the shops are thronged for an hour. Then the tide turns and sets upward, for three o'clock is the dinner hour.
 ''The sights that most interested strangers were the Battery; still favorite lounging place on summer days and evenings; the water front with it's score of ships lying side by side and thrusting their bowsprits across the streets and almost into the windows of the houses opposite; the fountains at Union Square; the Tombs; the pigs roofing about the streets; the oystermen blowing their horns and the ragmen pushing their carts with jingling bells; the chimney sweeps crying, Sweep! Sweepn"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

begin to oscillate backward and for wards, to you and from you. Now bring your thumb in contact with your forefinger and the oscillations will be- come transverse to their former swing. The same thing may be effected by asking a girl to take hold of your disengaged hand. When the trans verse motion has been fairly estab- lished let another boy take hold of the girls disengaged hand, and the ring will change back to it's former course. These effects are produced by the aid of animal magnetic currents given forth by the hands of the ex- perimenters. Instead of silver, you
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

into another group of Sparrows, and made them take suddenly to their wings But there were certain Spar rows that would not fly away, and they showed fight. So the war waged fiercely and feathers and fur flew. Some of. the Field Mice were badly pecked about the head by enraged Sparrows, but while they were get ting punished, they nipped the feet of the Sparrows. The little Snow Birds became quite brave, and chased on the wing several Sparrows that tried to get into their houses.
 After half an hour or more not a Sparrow was in sight, and those of them that had been fortunate enough to get inside their pretty houses in the out of window.
 Now, all ye Sparrows, great and small" cried the leader Squirrel in a loud voice, "it is not our wish to do you any injustice. All we ask in Orchardville-we who are willing to do the right thing-is that you do us no injustice. We have enough here for all, and that includes our winter visitors, the Snow Birds. Now, if you are willing to live and let live, to share with us the gifts of this orch- ard, we shall lay down our fighting spirit. and let peace reign. We give you five minutes to consider the mat ter before replying to us. We shall withdraw behind the shock of corn yonder."
 After the Squirrels and the Field Mice and the Snow Birds had gone in council and waiting behind the shock of corn, the Sparrows took council together. Several of their number had flown in fright away to the forest trees. and were afraid to return. They had a warning from their brothers however, that they might come in an6 talk matters over.
 | Well, the result was that the Spar rows were obliged to come to the terms offered by the combined forces and said, very crestfallenly that they would Live and let live' henceforth And as the winter snows continued to fall, and the Brown Boy and Cir came with pocketsful of bread, cake and other good things to eat, the crea. lures in Orchardville became happier and happier, and all declared that Peace is better than War, although il sometimes requires the latter to bring about the former-as in the case witt tho Sparrows.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21
WAR AND THE, VICTORIOUS

did the Field Mice. Then there came some visitors to Orchardville. They came with the first snow, and gave a gay appearance to the great white Orchardville. These little annual visi- tors were the Snow Birds. And the dearest, chattering, old-proof darlings that the orchard ever knew. They were not selfish, nor were they "stuck-up" like the Sparrows had be- come.
 The first trouble which broke out in Orchardville came about on a sun shiny day. Though the weather was at freezing point, Orchardville in- habitants never minded about it. They went out as people go out in sum mer time. There were the Squirrels who came out, a whole neighborhood of them. They began having a game of "Catch-as-catch-can over the hard snow. While this gayety was going on Jimmy and Katie Brown ran out Gall muffled up in their heavy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21
MESNfERISsf.

~ AXE a gold ring-the more mas
 A sive' the better-and attach it to
 " a silk thread about twelve inches long. Fasten the other end of the thread around your right forefnger at the nail il-joint, and let the ring hang about half an inch above the table on which you rest your elbow. Hold your finger horizontally, with the thumb thrown back as far as possible from the rest of the hand. If there is noth- ing on the table the ring will soon be- come stationary. Then place some silver, say three half-dollars, im- mediately below it, when the ring will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21
N OurPuZZle Corner 1s
BEHEADINGS.

BEHEADINGS.
 1. Behead place where goods are sold and leave that which young child will do when playing. 2. Doubly behead large country and leave a large, strong cord. 3. Doubly behead to make an at tempt and get stronghold
 CURTAILINGS.
 1. Doubly curtail small vehicle in which people ride and leave an in-. sect. 2. Triply curtail a hundred years and get small coin.
 3. Doubly curtail city officials and get place where business is trans acted.
 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES.
 DIAGONAL: L:-Winter. Cross pords, l. Whdler. 2. Hinges. 3. SonSet. 4. Skater. 5. Smoker 6. Driuer. ZIGZAG PUZZLE:-Pldteou. Cross. tcords, l. Pear. g.. Gloao. 3. Sldy. {. Plot. 5. Heel. 6. Barn. z. Urdl ALPHABET PUZZLE:--Ko ILLUSTRATED PRIMAL ACROE. TIC: Spdin. Words pictured = l. Shocks. 2. Pattcrn. 3. Arch. [. Idle. IS. Navse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

MT. Sparrow, Mrs. Snow Bird had withdrawn. Still, MT. Sparrow was bold and impudent. "Get out, you tramps!" he called a second time.
 Now, although the Snow Birds were as demure and kind as could be, and had no desire to intrude where they had no right, they felt that they were being badly used by usurper, so one of them, a great fine fellow. stepped up to the insulting and grasping Spar row and said.
 By what right do you control this orchard? We - the Snow Birds = have as much right to live here as you have, sir!"
 "You are pack of tramps," cried Mir. Sparrow, ruling his feathers. You have no fixed place of abode = no
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

wraps) and threw some bits of cake,
 bread, nuts and other nice things to eat, on the snow. Forth came the Field Mice, as soon as ever the young Browns had gone into the house again. And everywhere about flew the visiting Snow Birds, getting their share and nothing more, mind you of the good things to eat. Now, the Squirrels made no objection to this. They were willing, yes, anxious, to Tive and let live" But the Spar rows, those naughty, stuck-up little things, made an objection. They thought that Orchardville belonged, by right, to them. They had always tolerated the Squirrels and the Field
 Mice because they could not we'll help doing so. But other winged creatures
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

Mamma who always teaches me to give to others. She says 1t is sweeter to give than to receive, especially if one gives where it is deserved. And know you deserve Pearl-and many other things besides"
 And there, in the park zoo. the pretty Pearl changed hands, and two perfectly happy little girls said good bye to each other, going their re- spective ways. The one went along with her chum, Janey, towards her own lovely home, while the other went alone, carrying a huge doll in her arms, and keeping her eyes low ingly upon it. And when she went into the little cheap apartment, where she lived with her widowed mother, she cried in a voice of eager ness: I've a surprise. Mamma dear. Just look at itl" And she held out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

the "cast-off" Pearl, looking lovelier than ever it seemed.
 And then the lame child told the story of the gift. and wound up with: And the two little girls are coming to play with me on Saturday after- noon and they're going to fetch along their dolls, Helen Ann. and Myrtle. And they said they meant to fetch me a basket of fruit, and some sand wiches for us to have tea. on, isn't 1t lovely, Mamma, that l found two such friendly little girls in the park today?"
 And her mother. kissing her, said: "Yes, my poor darling. And you look so much better since your nice little visit with them. and the gift of the new doll. Maybe you will grow strong and well again. with happiness and friends about you"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

should not intrude their presence there, and share in the good things to eat which the little Browns brought out daily.
 "Get out, you tramps" It was MT. Long bill Sparrow who yelled this at Dear Mrs. Snow Bird, most demure little lady. The two had started to- wards bit of sweet cake which had looked so appetizing. But on seeing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-21

IOI CIIH5SII WltIl SIIlIIIaI It5uIlS.
 DOLLAR TRICK
 ~ AXE a medium-sized bowl, fill 1t
 to within an inch of the top with - water. Then place in the water dollar coin. Then you propose to the company that the one who can re- move the coin without wetting the hand may have it. None will try it. thinking it impossible to do 80. You have in your hand little licopodium, which can be got at the druggists, and throw it on the water, and you can draw out the coin without wetting your hand,