davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
Bulger's First Ice Skates = Story for Small Boys

so thoughtful Of Bulger.
"Yes. Daddy. want to go a-skating
on the Ice. And-if Mother will say
yes, I'll ride back to town with
Nunkie."
OF course his mother said yes, and
then Bulger was all wrapped up in
his top coat, his muffier, his leggings.
his cap with ear-muffs and his mittens,
and away he and "Nunkie" went,
skimming over the snow as fast as
Lady Moll and Quec1 Grace could
draw them. Lady Moll and Queen
Grace were two beautiful driving
mares belonging to Uncle George, and
were hitched up to his fine sleigh
that snappy. snowy morning in jan
uary.
After riding for about two miles
Bulger became bit sleepy, and tucked
his head down under the fur lap-robe
and lay 1t against warm Uncle George.
He was about to go fast asleep when
tiny voice, coming from down in
the sleigh beneath the fur robe, whis-
pered into his ear: Don't sleep,
Master Bulger. Come. slip out of the
sleigh and come with me. I'll. take
you to the prettiest skating pond you
ever saw. And on that pond you'll
see thousands of beautiful fairies skat-
ing like so many brilliant butterflies
fitting about in air. Will you come :?
If you just creep down into the very
bottom OF the sleigh you'll find 1t easy
enough to let yourself drop out of
your uncle's sleigh without his ever
knowing a thing about 1t. You'll
never bo sorry. mind me! for you'll
have the finest time on that fairy
pond you ever had--or ever will have
lin all your life"
Bulger did not take long to think
the proposition over. He was very
anxious TO see a big crowd of fairies
skating on a beautiful pond, and to
skate with them. He did not think of
how he would return home again, for
he was only six years old and had never
been away from his mother and
daddy in his life. except when in tho
care of '.Nunkie" Or grandmother. So
he decided quickly. and slipped low
down beneath the fur robe and then
carefully and quietly dropped out of
the sleigh.
He fell right into a soft snow drift,
and 1t took some time to get out of
It. When at last he stood on level
ground again he looked about for his
friend of the sleigh. whom he had
supposed to be fairy from the beau
tiful fairy skating pond. To his won-
der and disappointment, there was not
living creature in sight. He started
to walk down the road. in search Of
the fairy skating pond. After walk
ing a very long way he came to a very
deep river. and there was no Ice on
it, and the water flowed dark and
muddy. Little Bulger felt afraid. and
stepped back from the bank. which
was slippery and damp with mire.
AS he did SO one foot slipped from
beneath him and he felt himself glid-
ing swiftly down to the muddy water
of the river. He gave loud scream.
closed his eyes and felt that soon he
would be drowned. oh. II only he
had not obeyed that wicked voice
which came to him in good Nunkie's 3
sleighl He had been told by his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

after Mother had already given him
a big one.
"Ah, ha, and so you've been paying
for it," smiled Nunkie. And then Bull
ger got under the fur robe and felt
ashamed. Temptation had not come
in the sleigh. then. but at home
in the lntry. 1t had tempted him to
sneak" two doughnuts, and they had
made him sick. Yes, he felt rather
uncomfortable right now under his
little jacket. and this feeling had
caused the ugly dream.
Then they arrived at big store
on the main street of the town where
Uncle George lived, and Uncle George
got out of the sleigh and went into
the shop, soon returning with paper
wrapped something which he placed
in Bulger's lap. And Bulger. anxious
to know what it was, felt carefully
through the paper and discovered the
something to be ice skates!
"Oh. Nunkie, It's the skates! And
may I have them-after 1 was so
naughty and sneaked the doughnuts? ?"
yes, If you'll promise never to
sneak doughnuts again." replied Nun
kie, land fess up about 1t to Mother
Now, can you do that, youngster?"
"Yes. Nunkie, and I'll be glad to,
for I don't like being naughty, 1t
hurts sol" And Bulger rubbed his
stomach where the pain was. but
after have skated on the horse pond
down in the pasture the pain won't
stay" he added. caressing his first
pair of ice skates. And Nunkie, smil-
ing, said: You are right little man.
Well skate to your hearts content.
and then we II have a nice hot supper
and tell little Mother all about our
fun on the ice. Eth, kiddo?"
And with joy in his face and a heart
full of anticipation, Bulger squeezed
Nunkies big warm arm and said,
Eyes, Nunkie, dear"
= Then Lady Moll and Queen race
trotted along briskly, carrying Bulger
to home and happiness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
Our Puzzle Corner =
LETTER ENIGMA.

My first is in mean, but not in good:
My second is in hat, but not in hood:
My third is in feather, but not in down.
My fourth is in king. but not in crown:
My fifth is in key. but not in lock:
My sixth is in time. but not in clock:
Jly whole Is place
Where all go to buy
Things which are cheap
And things which are high.
RIDDLE.
I'm singular creature. pray tell me
my name
partake ot my countryman's glory
and fame.
daily am old, ] daily am new.
/ am praised, / am blamed. I am
false, am true;
I'm the tal; of the nation, while I'm
in my prime,
But forgotten when once have out
lived my time;
In the morning ao Miss is more court
ed than /,
In the evening you see me thrown
carelessly by.
Take warni ye fair. like you. had
my day.
But alas. you lie me. must grow old
and decay!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
WITTY PAT.

One day as Pat was halted on the
river bank. gentleman from town
came by and stopped to exchange
few words with the Irishman.
How long have you hauled water for
the village folk. Pat?" he asked.
i've hauled 1t tin year, soir," an
swered Pat.
''Ah! And how many loads have
you hauled each day, my good fell
low?"
Pat scratched his head and thought
a bit. About tin or fifteen. soir." lie
replied.
"Ah. yes. Now have q problem for
you to solve. Pat. At the rate you
mentioned, how much water have you
hauled during the ten years?"
Pat looked back over his watering
cart towarC5 the river, 1erked his
thumb in its direction and grinned.
I've hauled all the water ye don't
see there. soir. Git up. Dobfn" And
away he drove. leaving the gentleman
problem to solve.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

or take him places. If he couldn't
wait on himself, or go alone, he
simply didn't get what he wanted and
stayed at home. Old kinfolks are
such a bother, / say"
Lgnes, who was a bit behind In
some of her studies, was inclined to
agree with Helen, since it was an
"old relation" who was forcing her
to miss one of her lessons that after
noon, and she made a secret VOW to
never put herself out again on account
of "old Aunt Kate"
At the railroad station Agnes was
obliged to wait some time, for the
train was late. When 1t did arrive
Agnes was In rather a bad temper.
and as she advanced to meet a very
aged woman who stumbled clumsily
from the train steps to the platform,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

she said mentally: "That is old Aunt
Kate. and she'll have to be lookt 1
after like baby. She's almost help
less. 1t will be very uncomfortable to
nave her around" Then she spoke
to the aghd woman, and found she
had been fight in her supposition. 1t
was "old Aunt Kate"
Agnes carried her aunts queer
travelling bag and numerous other
bundles, and assisted as best she could
the old lady across the street to the
tram car. Once they almost met with
an accident on account of Aunt Kate's
uncertain steps. She started first one
way and then another to avoid an
approaching dray. But thanks to
Agnes alertness. they were saved from
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

mother that Temptation came in the
form of small voice. which. If you
listened to 1t, would become loud and
convincing. And he had listened and
fallen into temptation, and now he
was lost-lost-l
He felt the splash of the muddy
water. then he screamed. And then a
strong arm was around him and the
fur robe was pulled off his head. He
opened his eyes and looked into his
Uncle Georges merry face. whats
the matter with the sturdy man 2"
asked "Nunkie," lifting up the crouch
ing little form of Bulger. Been tight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
ANITA CLAUS had brought to
Bulger a great many nice things
at Christmas, but there still re-

~ manned some hing which Bull
ger had longed and longed for more
and more as the cold days went by
and the ice deepened on the horse
pond. The thing most desired by the
little chap was a pair of Ice skates.
Roller skates he had, and a very fine
pair. But ice skates he had never
yet owned, and he felt that he was
getting big and old enough to go
skating-real, sure-enough skating on
ice.
One morning Bulger's Uncle George.
for whom Bulger was named (though
few people knew he had any other
name than BulgerD, came out from
town to spend the day with Bulger's
father. mother and Bulger's self. And
hardly had Uncle George arrived when
he cried out to Bulger:
Hello little mani / see fine crust
of ice on the horse pond down in the
pasture. Want to come a-skating with
your old nunkie, chr"
Bulger looked up longingly and re-
piled: "Wisht I could go a-skating.
Nunkie, butt haven't got any skates
-'cept rollers. An they're no good
Oi eiC iSC, yOu hhOWsf W ASiht A,diteA
had brought me ice skates stead of a
drum. There's lots more fun skating
than beating a drum, isn't there?"
well, well, now that l am re-
minded of It," replied "Nunkie." shak-
ing his head wisely, Santa Claus did
leave small pair of ice skates at my
| house. and note tied to them which
said. Give these to the first little
blood-relation boy who wants to go
a-skating with YOU So, I'll just hop
into my sleigh and drive back to town
and get that pair OF skates for a kiddo
know called Bulger. Eth. my mar? ?"
Bulger laughed very joyously and
very loudly. Uncle George was SO
funny and so nice. and he was always
doing things for his favorite nephew.
MAY I ride back to town with you,
Nunkie?" asked Bulger. after he had
stopped laughing at big uncle's funny
ways.
"Well. that question will have to be
put to Mother" replied Uncle George,
winking knowingly and promisingly at
Bu1ger. Where is your mamma,
kiddo?"
Bulger ran to the dining room door
and called out: Mother. Nunkie is
here and wants to ask you a question.
1t is. May ride back to tewn with
him SO at he can get a nice pair of
ice skates for me?' May /. Mother,
dear?"
Bulger's mother patted him on the
head and went with him to the big,
warm living room where Daddy" and
"Nunkie" were talking about the farm
and all that pertained thereto: but
when Bulger came into the room,
leading his mother by the hand. the
two big men stopped talking business
and turned their attention to Bulger
and his mother. Uncle George got up
and shook the mothers hands and
kissed he. q top her pretty brown
head. and Bulgers dadd. said to Bull
ger: want to go skating. young
ster?" They we're all so happy. and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

and cheerful, but Agnes saw that her
mother had carried there two of the
softest down pillows from the parlor
and p ED on the couch for the
comfort of the visitor, whose stay was
to end only with her life. Agnes
frowned. "She sha'n't have those best
cushions she said, and took them
out of the room.
That evening at dinner Aunt Kate
had much to talk about to her nephew
whom she had not seen since his
marriage, sixteen years before, and
Agnes listened with a good deal Of
growing intere-t. After all, Aunt
Kate's mind was young and fresh, and
she had big sympathies and sweet
consideration for others. During all
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
LITTLE TRAMP
JACK
Story of a Homeless Dog.

- ACK was an old dog, that is
to say. he was old for a dog;
but hts age was just the same
~ as that of many boys who are
still in the Primary Grade. Jack
was seven years old. and he was feeling
the weight OF years. And worse than
that, Jack was a tramp-therefore.
homelessl
1t is pitiful TO see any kind of
tramp, but more especially pitiful to
see a dog turned tramp. Now, a man
who turns tramp may stop his evil
way of living II be tries, for there are
always plenty OF people who will give
employment to a man In distress, and
thereby help him into a better way
of living. But dogl Well, there
are few people (aside from small
boys) who are willing to open heart
and home to a tramp dog.
He's an old stray dogi" Then
they will pity him, perhaps. and toss
to him a scrap or q bone, and that
is the end of their interest In the un-
fortunate fellow. And 80 on and on
he goes. from back door to back
door. begging with his mournful, hun
cry eyes for a bite to eat. and thank
ing you for any consideration with a
wag of his friendly and emotional
tail. That was the way with Jack, the
tramp. He had lived a hard, meagre
life, a life fraught with worry and hard
ship. Often there would be days to-
gether when no nnorsel of food would
pass his strong jaws. OFTEN he hud-
died himself together in a vacant lot
against some old lum Der or bushes,
sleeping the fltful sleep Of one in mis-
cry from cold and hunger. Again he
would find a better place in some
cellar or open stable, but would be
chased out when the owner of the
chance lodging found him in the
morning.
And 80 the years passed On, and
Jack grew older and older. When his
tramp life first began he was just
q puppy, perhaps year old. And the
reason Of his uncertain and homeless
existence was this: One day some
movers, going rcross the country IN
"prairie schooners." camped on the
banks of a large river near to which
a small town was located. During
the night Jacks mother wander ,to
town in quest Of food, anr has faaug
son, jack, followed Close ashsud her
In an alley the n fAf same QNat p
barrel of cast-oh food Whicn had been
dumped tharo 1u ife nsar-by ilfch
ems. A. ths ~ n VITA whom sex
a-a lls mptaer Nsrs afasEing the
-ouaiV. were veey peor. and had little
fSo. f5r fhsmesiVsH. me dogs were
y es{ 81 tAe tizno hungry. so a feast
Ia thsa iEira attracted them to it,
After e4ting her fill, Jacks mother
eta "a back to camp. whining to her
5ung puppy to follow. This Jack
did: but on reaching the camp the
recollection of the abundance of food
in the alley kept co-ning to him, SO
he crept away from camp and re-
turned to town. The morning found
him still prowling about the clley
in quest of a warm place to take a
nap, for he was tired and sleepy.
In q COW shed he hid himself away
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

what might have been very serious
accident.
I'm not quite so young on my feet.
honey. as you are," smiled Aunt Kate
sweetly as the two sat In the street
car. Agnes face flushed on account
of the smiles of the young people who
sat opposite her aunt and who were
noting the queer travelling bag, the
many bundles. tied up in scraps Of
oilcloth and silk, and the funnier-
looking clothes of the aged lady her.
self. But I used to be just like you
sixty odd years ago. 1t Is Gods
greatest gift is youth. But 1t is feet
ing-heeting."
On reaching home Agnes turned
Aunt Kate over to her mother and
then ran upstairs to look after the
new arrivals room 1t was in order,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

to hold window panes in place. 4.
Strongholds. s. The banks of body
Of water s. Heavenly bodies. z.
Floats made of rough logs. s. A
square piece of wood. 9. Something
used in the mixing Of bread.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
PUZZLES.
ARADE:-Pd0e0nt l. Page. q.
Ant.
ADDITIONS:-1. Ldsh-T1Gsh. 2.
Ape-Nape. 8. Ore-Gore. I. Eel
Heel.
HIDDEN POET PUZZLE:-Brydnt.
Solution TO Picture Puszle: Master
In left front pa,o, upside doUn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

near the school house of mornings,
and when he saw the first boys COM
Ing, would run to meet them and
wag his tail in a hearty goodmorn-
ing. And all day long he would linger
round the school house. just to walk
home beside some friendly boy.
Thus has Jacks life passed up to
the present time. and II any of you
who read this see a stray old dog, you
may be sure he Is Jack. the tramp,
and 1t is to be hoped tat you will
take pity on him and give him a kind
word and an occasional bit of food,
for he is a deserving fellow whose
life has never been the happiest.
Dogs. like children, depend upon those
with whom they come in daily contact,
and their lives may be made good and
useful or wretched and useless.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

At noon recess Agnes explained to
her teacher about the arrival OF old
Aunt Kase. and asked to be excused
from the last lesson of the afternoon
that she might go to the station to
meet the coming visitor. Helen Dandy
was standing near, and overheard
what passed between Agnes and the
teacher. Afterwards she said to
Agnes:
Let me give you a hint, Aggie.
about old relatives. Don't humor
them nor put yourself out for them.
They are the greatest nuisance l. the
world. We had mammals great uncle
living with US for ever and ever SO
long, and I Just simply wouldn't put
myself out to run errands for him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

cur, and boys parents arc not apt to
permit such a mongrel to be brought
into their household. So homeless
and alone went Jack, a tramp dog.
And the years went by, and he be-
came less and less attractive to peo-
pie, though 1t must be confessed that
small boys did not object to him. On
the other hand, they all liked him.
and Jack soon got to know where to
find his friends. He would watch
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

and slept for very- long time. Then,
filled and rested, he returned to the
spot where his mother and master
had been on the previous night They
were gone-people, wagons mother,
all! Dead ashes of their camp fire
was all that remained. Jack was alone
in the world, and just a puppy
And so it was that Jack was forced
into being a tramp. He went first
into this alley and then into that,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
to the Muddy Water of the River.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF MONEY.

- HERE are ten different kinds of
money In circulation in the
- United States. and the govern1
ment is making preparations to dis1
tribute the new bills which are to b
smaller and neater than the old ones
BY q special enactment, no foreig
coin Is legal tender anywhere in thu
United States-hence the number
Canadian coins found near the bordd
cannot be used by Americans In lega
payment OF = debt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
ZIG -ZAG PUZZLE.

This zig-zag contains nine words of
five letters each. If the words are
rightly guessed and written one below
another their zig-zag letters. beginning
with the upper left-hand letter and
ending with the lower left hand letter.
will spell a beautiful. short lived in
sect. The cross-words are: /. To be
cold and dreary. Q. To have been
consumed by fire. 8. Something used
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

procuring his food. Occasionally
some boy would see him and take
him as companion for a day. but Jack
was not what is commonly called
"blooded" dog, but was a common
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12
He : elt Ei.-sclf Gliding swiftly Down

asleep, and I'll bet red apple against
a core that you've had a nightmare.
Been eating doughnuts. eh? Bet an
other red apple you sneaked extra
doughnuts from the pantry when little
Mother wasn't looking! Fess up.
youngster."
With his uncle's eyes upon him. Bull
ger had to "fess up" and he said
that the doughnuts tasted SO good
while hot and fresh that he had
climbed upon chair in the pantry
and helped himself to two extra ones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

z3 e are two lovely dollies,
IL And we're very sad, you
see;
:" And II you'll listen we will tell
What has caused our misery.
Our little mistress, Sadie.
Has taken in our place
A pesky, mewing kitten
With a black spot on Its face.
She saw this kitten in the park
And straightway cried. "Oh. me!
That Is the dearest darling
That ever I a. see."
So home she brought Hiss Kitty;
And she plcys all day with 1t.
While we, her lovely dollies.
So sad and lonely sit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-12

M<AA RS Price looked at Agnes and
BV Agnes looked back at her.
q b n We'll, she's to live here, for
D D h all time" said Mrs. Price, as
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-22
TAXES, 1s12.

Notice is hereby given to the tax payers of the City of Bridgeport, that the taxes on the grand list of 1912, are now due and payable at the Tax Collectors Office, Room 6, City Hall. The undersigned will be at the Col Iector's Office, as above, on May 1, 1913, and daily thereafter, Sunday ex- cepted, from a. m. to 4 p. m- and Saturdays from a. m. to 12 m. for the purpose of collecting said taxes. After, June 1, as required by law. in- terest at the rate of three quarters of one per cent. will be added to all un- paid taxes, and the same on the first of each succeeding month.
 B. F. COONEY,
 U15." t2. Collector.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-22
PAINTING WITHIN
 FORBIDDEN PORTALS.

The ancient Mosque of Eyoub at ConEtant1nople, for centuries jealously guarded by the Turk is no longer closed to unbelievers. Wearing a fez, one may pass eunheeded in the court. It was not without some dread. how ever, that entered one day, set up my easel and began to paint The bIack specters paused in an1azement. then passed on- The children ceased their play, and gathered in silent groups to regard the sacrilege of the tnfideI- A crowd of men and boys gathered and spoke in low tones. Of- ten heard the dreaded 'sYasak' pass ed among them Priests passed about and looked with a puzzled air, surely believing that I had some powerful protection to dare this thing, and fear ing to interfere.
 Absorbed in the painting of marble against a sky of delicate blue, the sense of danger had been 1u11ed to sleep in me by the somnoIent chant of Ihe holy man repeating his Koran near the grille. Suddenly his chant ceased I heard hurrying feet and looked up to see a police captain and two men, followed by a number of priests a noisy mob at their heels, making toward me I kept my seat and regarded the captain quietly. With unmistakable gesture, but in a 1an- guage that I did not understand, he ordered me out of the place But l remained seated, and indicated that I did not comprehend either his word or his meaning and painted a Stroke or two to show my unconcern. My coolness affected him. He seemed t0seonc1ude that must have permfs- sion- After some further barley he put guard of two police over me, and went off to consult know not whom I called him back, then led him to the shop of Abraham Effendi, who champ1oned my cause nobIy, and returned with me to the crowd. the deserted easel, and the two policemen in the court The captain had gone of to report A fanatic promptly shouted defiance at Abraham and he, no longer peaceful, shouted a reply. Then we witnessed an Oriental duel, in which the human hand and face per- formed the most vehement gestures and violent contortions, and the sacred court rang with a noise that frighten- ed away the pigeons and brought the holy man hobbling on his stick.
 Abraham Enendi and his black bearded adversary were still shouttne at each other when third policeman arrived smiling, to say that I might Btay and paint freely" as a naval of- ncer interpreted. He and his com panfons saIuted pleasantly, and went to pray at the shrine The crowd melted to normal proportfons.-Sy nev Adamson, in Harper's Magazine for June
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-22
Storage Warehouses

STORAGE OF FURNITURE-S -Sepa- rate rooms, securely locked, furni- ture and china packing. Furniture and pianos removed, large vans, careful handling. Bridgeport Stor- age Warehouse Co.,, 1885 Main St., Cor. Congress St. Tel. 10S4-2.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-22
NOTICE.

Do not fail to attend the Grand Masquerade and Dance to be given by the Motormen and Conductors, Division No. 45s, at Germania Hall, Saturday evening, May 24th, 1913. Three cash prizes will be distributed. Tickets 25 cents. R 20 r~p
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-22
Help W anted

hundred laborers to
 work on the construction of Morris Dam. $2.00 per day. Good board ing accommodation. No labor trou- ble. The Ryan -Unmack Co.,, Thom- aston, Conn. R 21 as*
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-22
AS WELL AND AS MUCH

No merchant ever failed if he advertised as WELL; and as MUCH as he could.