davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

occasion to visit Mrs. Sumner In her
f1at?"
Mrs. Rogers looked up from the
magazine she was reading. mo,
Milly, have never gone to Mrs. Sum-
ner's house. She usually comes here
for my sewing, or sends neighbor
boy for it. And. as you know. she
always delivers the finished work her
self. But why do you ask. dear?"
"I was just there-at her fiat"
explained Milly, land it's a terribly
wretched place. She has two little
children, a boy of four and a girl of
three. They're just babies. Shouldn't
babies-little tots, you know-have
plenty of fresh air and sunshine" ?"
why yes, when their parents can
afford it for them.' replied Mrs.
Rogers, somewhat surprised at her
fifteen-year- daughters serious
manner and unusual question. But
how did you happen to go to Mrs.
Summers. dearH
"First let me speak my mind about
fresh air and sunshine" replied Milly.
"There shouldn't be any such thing as
.affording' air and sunshine. They are
Gods gifts to all-or should be. So
no one should be obliged to pay for
them-least of all poor widow who
earns only enough to pay for rent,
food and fuel"
Mrs. Rogers put aside her magazine
and arose and came to where her
daughter sat, In front Of the glowing
CRATE. "Come, darling. you're quite
npset about something. What is It?
And what were you doing at Mrs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

to pass-and with honors, too."
We'll. of course, it's different with
fellow of your appearance" smiled
Harry sarcastically. casting a know
ing glance at Brick-top's head. But
fine-looking fellow will always get
on all right. you know. I hate school
and hate work. They're all right
for those who like them. but not
for
The sentence was not finished, for
at that very moment Maine Turner
had turned to cross the street and
at the same moment a taxicab came
seemed dazed and started to turn first
dashing full upon her. The child
this way and then that, wild-eyed and
speechless. her arms limp at her sides.
AS the street was full of hurrying
vehicles, the chauffeur In the taxicab
had no place to turn, and was forced
to keep straight ahead. He turned
on the breaks. calling out wildly to
Maine to get out of the way, little
fooli"
Brick-top and Harry saw the
threatened accident at the same mo-
ment and larry threw up his hands
girl" But from his tracks he never
moved. But Bricl-top had dashed
like flash of lightning into the street
and had caught Maine round the
waist and dragged her out of harms
way before one could count two. And
just by hairs breadth he escaped
being run down by the dashing, swerv-
4 ing taxicab, whose driver seemed to
n nSt hi
the management of his cab
An excited crowd gathered and be-
gan asking questions. to which Harry
replied glibly thrustirg himself for
ward to be admired. But Brick-t top
withdrew. leading the still frightened
Maine out of the throng and refus-
ing to give his name, or hers, to a
newspaper reporter who had just hap
pened along at the moment. ITS of
no consequence" he said in a deter
mined way as the reporter grasped
him by the arm and insisted on be-
ing told the particulars. Just call
me any. old thing-but let me take
this little girl home"
And SO Brick-top went down the
street. this time carrying Maime's
book satchel as well as his own, and
was now crying softly over the ex-
citement and fear of the last few mo-
ments.
Now, Maine. don't cry" said
Brick-top gently. and wishing at the
moment that Maine was his sister
so that he might take her hand and
reassure her. Come, you're all right,
for not a hair of your head got hurt.
So don't cry any more. please. I'll
walk all the way with YOU"
"Why don't you say that you're all
right too?" replied Maine in a low
voice, for you were in more danger
than l was. You were almost under
the machine when you whirled about
to throw me out of danger. You al
most got run over. Mister Brick top.
And it was all for me--a very un-
grateful. mean grill 1 didn't speak
to you decently this morning. but
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

his good looks. And I've put away
three dollars every month out of my
five which Dad allows me. and the
books and school things. Ties-!".
And Brick-top frowned. I'D hate to
give up my time and money for
bright-colored strings to tie abor: my
neck. A plain dark tie, like this one"
and he put his finger ON his neck
tie-"looks neat and clean and will
last me a long, long time. Heigh-ho!
There's Harry Martin now"
Just as Brick-top said this. a tall,
handsome. fashionably dressed boy
came round the corner and called out:
Hello, Brick-topl On your way
home? Say. come with me to the
pond, won't you? I'm off for an hour
on the ice.'
Bricktop shook his head Cant
r this evening, Harry" he replied. ="I've
got my lessons to do. You know our
monthly exam begins pext week. Are
you ready for it?"
Am not. and dol't intend to try"
returned Harry. "I'll get through
mind me. Never got left yet, did ~"
And he laughed sly laugh.
mo, you never got left" replied
Brick-top with scorn In his voice
"But I'm wondering how much good
your passing will do--since you pass
as you do. You know, Harry, you'll
not be able to pass through life like
you're passing through school, You'll
have to deliver the goods. or you'll
not get on in business I'm working
for myself. not for Teacher. I've got
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

ticles were very. very reasonable, no
one felt he was paying out money
without full return. So all were
entirely satisfied.
The fair was in session for two
nights, and nothing was left for sale.
The visitors had cleaned the room our.
And the money-till was heavy. a fact
which proved that Milly's fair had
been a success. When the money was
counted-and the amount of rent for
the storeroom Coductcd-it was found
that the little treasurer. Milly Rogers
had in her keeping one hundred and
three dollars. Milly's eyes shone as
she counted 1t over on q table, n
dozen of her friends standing round.
isn't 1t splendid?" she cried. More
than enough to meet the extra seven
month = including sunshine and
fresh air. and to pay for the moving.
Now. who of us feels the poorer from
this fair? And see how rich we are
going to make dear Mrs. Sumner and
her kiddies"
Mlily could say no more, for every
one wanted to clasp her hand or hug
her or kiss her, or do all at once, and
every one wanted to tell every one
else how fine Milly Rogers was. who
else would have thought of helping
one In this way?" inquired the min
lister, tears In his "A little Offer
ing from each, and the friends to buy
them, paying only what the articles
were really worth, yet enabling Milly
to carry out her charitable and noble
plan of providing a decent home for
three fellow creatures. say. give us
more like Milly Rogers. God bless
her!"
And every one echoed. "Give us
many like Milly Rogers. God bless
heri"
And two days later Mrs. Sumner
moved into the new fiat. where her
little ones could play all day long In
the sunshine which flooded the room.
and her new friends helped her to
take hope and to enlarge her bus-
ness. and to see her way clearly. And
at night she dropped on her knees.
thanking God for a friend like Mi1ly
Rogers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

"S Milly I-ogers came down the
! three narrow flights of stairs
which led from Mrs. Summers
y j meagre fiat to the street, she
shut her lips tightly and murmured
half aloud: "I'll arrange something
so I will. Those children can't be
left in such condition"
! At the foot of the last flight of
stairs she opened the door and stepped
out into gloriously bright day. The
sun shone on the remnants Of fine.
white snow, which was melting very
rapidly. up in that awful three
room fiat. not bigger than three band
boxes, it is gloomy and dark, and
there. with never a view of the sky
nor a ray of sunshine, live and play
those two dear little children. And
their poor mother well, it's stitch.
stitch. stitch. till her fingers are worn
almost to the bone to make barely
enough to pay their small rent and
have enough to keep body and soul
together. But Ill have to manage In
some way to fix things better for Mrs.
Sumner and her two delicate chill
dren."
Thus soliloquizing, Milly walked
briskly homeward. She soon arrived
at her own abode, fine, big hopsa
whose broad windows let in sunshin a
and air. and whose thick walls and
heavy plate-glass kept out cold and
held In warmth. Milly found her
mother in the library. and Joined her
there. Removing her comfortable
furs and jacket, she said:
Mamma. dear. did you ever have
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

ugly" he muttered. "Geei I'm going
to pull all my old red hair out by the
roots and skin my freckled face. I'd
rather be like an onion than to look
as / do now. All the girls make fun
of ne, and the boys-if they'd own
up, think me common"
Thus thinking miserably, and quite
down in tie dumps, Brick-top went on
his way. and Maine turner. trotting
alon3 behind him. carrying a bag full
of heavy books. was smiling to her.
self. Hes an awfully nice boy" she
said mentally. Daddy says he's one
of the finest chaps l town, and Daddy
knows. for he's terribly particular
about the boys and girls / go withs
And Brick-top's so brave. Last year
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

Sumner should be settled in her new
fiat before that date. The place of
holding the fair was an old store
building, facing upon a prominent
business street. There of evenings af-
ter school, Milly and her numerous
schoolgirl friends. their mothers and
aunts and grandmother and Sunday
school teachers and school teachers,
assembled to "get things in ship
shape" The things" to be got in
shape were numerous and varied, con-
sisting of donations from each person
who was assisting with the venture.
and from outsiders who cared to give
something. There were useful articles
of handicraft. bits of bric-a- brac.
fancy work, homemade cake and
bread drought in on the day of the
opening of the fair). and many house.
hold articles. All were well DISPLAYED.
and a large placard stood on the very
front counter--where every one might
read on entering--which told the OBJ
ject of the fair. The funds. so the
placard told one. were to go toward
helping an honest. deserving widow.
with two small children, till she was
able to be entirely self-supporting.
Well. II was gratifying to Milly to
see the crowds pouring into the fair"
on the first night of the opening.
And not only did they come, but
they bought from the many attractive
things displayed. As prices on ar
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
81 Hastenea to Her and Gave Her What Assistance Could

"Yes. what you say Is very true;
helping the poor woman will place
her In a position to help herself
But you spoke OF holding a fair
Now, exactly what do you mean,
Milly? A fair is a big undertaking
for men with money. or for a rich
church or society. but for a little
girl with only her mother to help
her"
with her mother to help her. the
little girl ought to be able to move
mountains" smiled Milly. And her
mother felt a great pride in her at
that moment, ard gloried in the fact
that her child had such confidence in
her capability and influence. "Ill do
all that l can," she said earnestly.
And now let's sit down and talk it
all over
And so Mr.. Rogers found them
when he came in an hour later, and
they were full of their "plan," telling
him all about =.
The following day, Milly called on
her Sunday school teacher after school
and took her into her confidence about
the fair" And the teacher. Miss
Mullen. was highly pleased over 1t,
and promised her warm support. 40
gether they called upon their min
lister. who was well known for his
helpfulness in such matters. He, too.
entered into the scheme with all his
heart. So Milly had set the ball roll
ing. and the longer 1t rolled the more
1t gathered unto itself. Before the
week was ended Milly had a dozen
women, and twice that many girls
of Ler own age, enlisted as her help
ers. And each member OF the now
fully organized little band made it her
business to call upon several friends,
inviting them to cooperate in the fair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Incidents in the Boy
hood Life OF George
Stephenson.
GREAT RAILWAY ENGINEEE.

TT r E are always interested-in the
childhood of men and women
a who have become great. And
W. in reading of their early life
we are sometimes surprised to find
that they were once just like other
children who grew up to be lost in OBJ
scurity. Greatness rarely makes itself
manifest in youth, and boys and
girls destined to play conspicuous
roles in the later years of their lire
seldom show signs of it during their
childhood.
or the boyhood of George Stephen
son, one of the first, as well as one OF
the greatest. of railroad engineers,
biographer has many interesting things
to tell A few incidents in his boy
life are given here:
The boy George led the ordinary
life of working peoples children. he
played about the dingy doors; went
birdnesting when he could; ran err
rands to the village. He was also an
eager listener, with the other chiidreni
to his fathers curious tales; ana ne
early imbibed from him that anection
for birds and animals, which continued
throughout his life. He carried ms
fathers dinner to him to. the collery
ana 1t was on Sucu oCeaSiohc sAS
found great delight in watching the
robins fed" (IIis father was quite
lover of birds and animals. and had |
number of tame robins which ne 1eo
from his rather empty dinner pail.)
young though he was, George soon
became able to contribute something
to the support of the family; for In
poor mans house every child Is
burcen until his little hands can be
turned to profitahle account. Thai
George was shrewd and active. and
possessed of a ready wit, will be evil
dent enough from the following Incl
dent. One day his little sister Nell
went into Newcastle to buy bonnet
and Geordie went with her for COM
pany. At a diapers shop, in Bigs
Market, Nell found a chip quite to
her mind but on pricing it, alas! IL
was found to be fifteen pence beyond
her means. She left the shop very
much disappointed. but outside the
door ceordie said to her: Never
heed, Nell; see If I Gamma win sllef
enough to buy the bonnet; stand We
here till 1 come back Away ran the
boy and disappeared amidst the
throng of market folk. leaving the
girl to wait his return. Long and
long she waited. until it grew dusk,
and the market people had nearly all
left. She had begun to despair. and
fears crossed her mind that Geordie
must have been run over and killed;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

when at lest up he came running. al
most breathless. I've gotten the
siller for the bonnet. Nell' cried he.
"'Eh. Geordie.' she cried, but hoo
hae ye gotten it?'
"'Haudin the gentlemen's horsesi
was the reply. And the bonnet was
forthwith bought. and the two re-
turned to Dewley (their home) happy
Georges first employment was of
very humble sort. A widow who oc-
cupied a neighboring farmhouse of
Dewley kept a number of cows and
had the privilege Of grazing them
along the wagon-road. She needed a
boy to herd the cows, to keep them
out of the way of wagons, and prevent
their straying on the neighbor's lib
critics. George petitioned for this
post, and to his great joy. he was
appointed at the wage of two-pence
day.
"As George grew older. he was set
to lead the horses when ploughing,
though scarce big enough to stride
across the furrows: and he said In
later years that he rode to his work
in mornings at an hour when most
other children wc-e in their beds,
asleep. He was also employed to hoe
turnips, and to do similar work, for
which he was paid the advanced wage
of foar-pence a day. But his highest
ambition was to bo taken out to the
colliery where his father worked; and
he shortly joined his elder brother
James there as 'corf- bitter to clear
the coal of stones and dross. His
wages were Then advanced to six
pence a day. and aftel ards to eight-
pence when he was set to drive the
ginhorse.
shortly afterwards. George was
sent to Black Cal1erton to drive the
gin there; and as that colliery lies
about two miles from Dewley Burn,
he walked the distance early in the
morning and returned home late in
the evening. One of the old resi-
dents at Black Callerton gave this bit
of information to the author. He was
a grit growing lad. with bare legs an
feet, full of fun and .ricks. Indeed.
there was nothing under the sun but
he did try 70 initiate
AFTER driving the gin for some
time at Dewley and Black Callerton.
he was taken on as assistant to his
father in firing the engine at Dewley.
This was a step Of promotion which
he had anxiously desired, his fear
being lest he should be found too
young for the work. He used after
ward to relate how he was wont to
hide himself when the owner Of the
colliery went round. in case he should
be thought too little . boy to earn
the wages paid him."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
|3 3OUPpUZZIE
ECOQNER

CHARADE. =.
M Y first is a color
1Vx One sees everywhere.
'Tis found in the sea.
And 1t glows through this
air.
My second is something
That many men wear.
And 1t most always Is
The color of their hair.
My two Joined together
Is sad story told
OF a horrid old monster
Who was murderous and bold.
ADDITIONS.
1. Add the letter to the title Of a
nobleman and get precious gem.
2. Add the letter Il to something
used In building car-track and get
weak and delicate.
g. Add the letter r to a black
liquid and get a place of amusement.
a. Add the letter s to cut grass and
get an old-fashioned vehicle.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
PUZZLbS.
ZIG -ZAG PUZZLE: - Butterfly.
Cross-words, l. Bleak. 2. Burnt 3.
Putty 4. Forts. g. Shore. 6. Stars.
7. Rats. 8. Block. 9. Yeast.
RIDDLE:-A Newspaper.
LETTER ENIGMA: A:-Market.
PICTURED PROVERBS:-I. A set
ting hen neuer groics fat. Q. A stitch
in time saues nine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

he jumped into {. pond and saved a
boy who'd fallen through the ice.
And he wouldn't accept the Hero
Prize offered him. He's certainly a
very fine boy. And 1 surely do like
his auburn hair. It's so rich and
curly. And his freekles don't count,
for Mamma says freckles leave ones
face after one gets grown-up. Be-
sides, freckles are sign of a soft.
thin skin"
Then the last school bell rang and
Maine had to stop talking to her.
self, and had to run with all her
might to get into line.
That same afternoon, after school,
Maine happened to see Brick-top
coming along behind her, walking
very leisurely. At first. Maine was
on the point of speaking to him, and
thought o. waiting for him to come
up so that they might walk along
together as their homes were in the
same block, only few doors apart.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

perfectly-well balanced, normal boy.
He wanted to make pleasing appear
ance to his friends. particularly to
certain friend, Maine Turner. OF
course. to Maine he never spoke a
word about this longing, for Brick-top
was bashful, and Maine was timid.
But Brick-top kept up mighty
thinking" to quote an old phrase.
One morning as Brick-top walked
toward school he overlook Maine.
who was also on her lay to school.
Good morning. Maime," said Brick
top, grinning and blushing. MAY I
carry your books, please?"
Maine blushed in turn and nodded
coolly. mo" she said, II can carry
my own books. I may be only gurl.
but I'm not as weak as a kitten"
Brick-top became terribly con-
fused, and walked on in silence. At
the next corner he hurried on in adj
vance of Maine, heavy feeling at
his heart. "She hates me because I'm
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

other child, ran to him, and as she
picked him up / recognized her to be
our seamstress. Mrs. Sumner. / hast
ened to her and gave her what as
sistance 1 could. She had been to
market for something for their sup
per. and as the day was SO fine had
taken her little tots with her for
breath OF fresh air. She had more
than her hands and arms full. so
relieved her of her basket and paper
bags and went upstairs to her fiat with
her. Oh. such a dark hallway, and
worse stairs! 1t wac her quarters
which upset me, mother. 1t doesn't
seem the square deal. that we're al
ways talking about, to let nice. clean,
honest woman, with two mere babies.
live like that. had long chat with
her and drew from her that she could
get four-room fat two rooms fac
ing south. where the sun shines in
most all day long, for only seven dol
lars month more than she's paying
where she Is. But she said the extra
seven was out of the question. for
there was the expense of moving. and
the entire first months rent to pay
in advance. So she sees no way out of
her present uncomfortable and un-
healthful condition. But I do"
Milly said the last with emphasis.
Mrs. Rogers put an arm about her
daughter and said sympathetically
"Come. confido your plan to me, and !
shall be only too happy to assist you
in carrying 1t out. dear"
well; I've decided to hold fair.
and give the proceeds of 1t to Mrs.
Sumner. or rather, to take the four
room, sunny fiat for her. paying the
extra seven per month for year. and
also to defray the expense of moving.
In . better place. she'll get more work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
HOW "BRICK-TOP" FOUND HIS MIRROR WAS FALSE

~ AIRY YO NG, known at home.
EA and at school as "Brick-top,"
certainly had no feeling of van
ity over his personal appear
ance when he lookes. in the mirror.
Red headed, freckle-face, snub-nose!"
his looks. g. glass shrieked at him of
mornings when he combed his thick,
brilliantly-tinted hair. hair which his
mother declared to be perfectly beau
tiful" But Brick-top never agreed
with his mother on matters pertaining
to himself. Dear old Mumsey!" he
would say to himself, "she thinks that
even I, her ugly duckling, is hand
some" Then Brick-top would grin
grinly.
Now, Brick-top was like every other
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

But bashfulness overcame her. and
she turned her face away from Brick
top without even speaking to him.
The boys face went a shade redder.
then turned slightly pale, and he COM
pressed his lips. Pm so ugly to look
at that she won't even walk with me
on the street." he said bitterly to HIM
self. well, there're other things
than good looks, and I'd rather have
noble characteristics than beauty any
day. Now there's Harry Martin,
handsome and-mean. He sneaks
through his exams, steals others ideas
and uses them in his essays, and
spends all his allowance on new neck
ties and scarf-pins. Bet he hasn't
dime laid up. for he's always coddling
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

And strange to say, not a single girl
or woman refused. for all knew Milly
Rogers. and would do anything to
help her in any thing she should un-
dertake.
The fair was set for two weeks from
the day Of Milly's first visit to Mrs.
Sumner, for that would be two days
before time to pay another months
rent. and Milly had decided that Mrs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

to do. and from better class of pa
irons. perhaps-patrons who'll pay
better prices, 1 mean. You know,
Mamma, mine, that you always pay
her more for her sewing than she asks
you; but others do not behave so
generously toward her. But IL she
gets into better locality she may
gradually get better customers. Don't
you agree with me?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Mi11v ROGERS Fair. Story of An Unusual Girl

Summers flat?"
Il was coming down the street from
school when l heard a child scream,
and turned about to see a dear little
boy tumbled into the gutter. His
mother. carrying bundle and an
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

n II, playing snow ball in the z,osty
air
Is the greatest and jolliest Joy
~ OF all other games that ever
were played
BY American girl and boy!
When school for the day Is just dis
missed,
And the children, glad. rush out
To snow bank near for a farewell
game,
And talk and laugh and shout.
And roll up balls of well-packed snow.
All, that is the hour of all
The well-spent day in the happy
school
The hour of the last BALL
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

TT r are always interested in the
childhood of men and women
who have become great. And
~ in reading of their early life