davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
0EM TIE AE5 IF 81 TUXENlLE CIRcLE: NSaN
CAUGHT IN THE TRAP
BY MARY GILBERT

any sheep at large in this pasture.
This IL the only place I have to
keep them in VIII responded. 1--WE
Just got to make 1t safe Why not
leave the dead lamb here and set a
steel trap near it?'
"A good idean Mr.. Watson ex-
claimed. 81 was wondering what
that dog was likely to cost the town.
We don't want him feasting at pub
lie expense. so be sure that your trap
| is a strong one"
VIII took his stoutest trap and set
II near the slaughtered lamb with
the hope that 1T would find a victim
After supper. nuzzle and chain in
hand, he went to the woodlot. mean
ing to conceal himself and keep vigil
near the trap.
What was his surprise as he drew
near to hear whine Of distress and
find a dog held fast by the strong
steel jaws 1T was a handsome set
ter, whom Will would never have
picked as the SLAYER of a helpless
lamb.
you don't look it, he said as he
slipped the muZzle on, hut you're
caught with the goods and you'n have
to come"
No sooner was the setter released
itpAii ti3t tidP tiAdit 1iC A4adC a Al dAINiC
| funge to get away The sharp tug
of chain made him realize that he
was still a prisoner,
All the way to the barn he strove to
make his stern captor reient and let
him go the other way, His paw,
wounded by the trap, received no
notice from him, except as it COM
PEELED him to limp.
You don't look like a 1amb-killer,"
VIII repeated. as he chained him in
the barn, .'but you We're caught in a
trap set for one, so here you've got TO
stay until called for Just to see If
you had a partner, I'm going to go
back and set that trap again"
II hardly seemed worth while to
watch the trap, now that 1t had al
ready been sprung. VIII did not visit
It again until morning. when he found
another captive awaiting him. This
was a surly black dog. who scrat ched
and bit when Win started to muzzle
him.
You look the part" the boy de-
clared. as he led his second captive
toward the barn. mo one looking at
you would doubt for a minute that You
/ were in the deal"
+ News Of the double capture spread
/ rapidly through the neighborhood and
many people came to see the prison
ers But despite the number Of yisi-
tors. neither of the dogs was identi-
| fed
That isn't strange" Mr.. Watson
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

said. They know the owner'd have to
pay for the lamb and either shoot
his dog or keep it shut UP mighty
close. | don't think it's of much use
to hold these dogs. You'd better give
them bullet apiece If they aren't
ciaime. ~ a day or two"
WIN ~ I'd the sentence without re-
greet as far as the black OK was con-
cerned. He looked the thief and muir
could not persuade himself that the
setter was really guilty.
I'm going to give YOU a chance to
clear yourself" he declared, however
much appearances are against you
Here's the chain and muzzle. Now
Wen find out where 1t is you're SO
anxious to GO"
of they started in the direction
whence they had come to sthe barn.
But then viii has led reluctant dog.
Now he was guided by an eager one.
Straight up the mountain they went,
through the woodloL on to the sum
nit and down bit on the other side.
You're leading me a chase, all
right" viii commented. but III see
It through now I've started"
Soon they came In sight of a tent
on the mountainside, whereat the dog
wagged his tail and hurried on more
eagerly IMAM before. Suddenly VIII
recollected rumors that he had heard
of an artist camping in the noun
tains. Could it be
As he was asking himself the oues-
ton, they reached the tent, into which
the dog made his eager way.
SO there you are at last" cried a
voice that stopped in surprise at sight
of the boy following the dog.
As soon as the excited setter could
be quieted, both sides of the story
were told
The man had sprained his ankle a
few days before Fearing that the
provisions would he exhausted, he had
sent the dog out to forage for himself
the day that VIII had set his trap.
Finding the dead lamb. the setter had
started TO help himself and been
caught in the trap set for the sheep
killer His anxiety had been for his
helpless master, to whom he was
eager to return
Ais well that ends we'll" said the
happy artist fondlng his recovered
pet. But YOU may thank your lucky
stars, sir, that YOU were caught by a
boy with patience enough to investi-
gate and not judge wholly by APP
pearanees l hope he'll be rewarded
by having no more trouble with dogs"
And that was exactly what hap
pened. When. years later VIII
simpson went to college. he declared
that his education was all wool be-
cause his flock of sheep paid for IT,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

that fine!" she cried. Now we shall
have plenty Of money"
But / got 80 tired carrying the
gold that traded it for a horse"
That is even better" said she.
Now We will have horse to draw
our wood and to work in the field
But the horse threw me off, so I
traded it for a cow"
What mind-reader you are, A
Cow is much better. We shall have
plenty of milk"
But / happened to think that we
have nothing to feed COW. so 1 trad
ed her for a sheep"
That is just as we'll. for 1t will save
me the trouble of taking care of the
cow We can shear the sheep and
Will spin the wool and weave some
cloth to make YOU new coat Your
old one is full Of holes"
goose"'
Well, that will make feast that
rich man might envy"
But / traded the goose for a hen!''
isn't that nice! Now we can have
plenty of eggs, and perhaps raise some
chickens in the spring.
But she flew away from me. and
my old shoes tripped me so / couldn't
catch her, so l traded her for some
new shoes"
Just what you have been needing
our Old ones were all worn out"
But they were too small for me. so
l traded them for a needle
There is nothing so uncomfortable
as shoes that are too small! And ]
viii be glad to have the needle and
thank you for thinking of me-
But / lost the needle in the grass
by the roadside!"
Never mind, 1t doesn't make much
adherence. since You are home safe
and sound
We'll old man." said the lord.
coming into the room, here are yonr
thousand roubles I am not sorry 10
give them to you either. for feel that
1 nave had my moneys worth"
So the old man and his wife took
the money and lived happily ever
after.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

shut up in castle. and nobody knew
what had become Of him. But n
singer or minstrel (as singers were
called in those days) by the name
of Blondel went from castle to castle
singing. trying to find Richard. until
at last. at a castle in Germany. while
he was singing. he heard Richard s
voice take up his song. and thus IT
was Blondel found Richard When
Richards mother and wife learned
where he was, they sent a large sum
of money to the man who had shut
him UP in the castle to let him out SO
Richard, having been kept a prisoner
for a whole year and half. was now
free to go. home and see his loved
ones.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
An Old Gnanie

At family party where young peo~
pie predominated, the grandmother of
dozen lively boys and girls suggest
ed a game which had been in vogue
in her girlhood With the substitu-
ton of the name of the president for
tnat she gave, the game was played
ment
1t was called 'Toasting the Cen
erai. she said land was handed
down from my grandmother, who was
contemporary OF George Washing
ton.
The boys and girls were seated
around the table, and a glass of wa
ter was placed before each one. The
leader took up his glass, saying grave
". i drink to the health of General
George Washington Then he nodded
his head once, took one sip of water
and touched the bottom OF his glass
once to the table before setting 1t
down. He then patted the table once
with his RICH hand. and the floor once
with his right foot. This formula
went around the table.
Next the leader said, L drink for
the second time to the health of Gem
eral George Washington" AS he took
up his glass he nodded twice, took
two sips OF water, touched his glass
twice to the table. patted the table
twice with his left hand and the floor
twice with his left foot, This again
went the rounds
Then the leader raised his glass
again, saying, I drink for the third
and last time to the health of General
George Washington. nodded three
times, took three sips OF water, touch
ed his glass three times. first with his
left and then with his right hand, and
the floor first with. his left and then
his right foot.
This ended the game. save for the
forfeits, which were called in conse-
quence- OF mistakes And there was
scarcely a person in the room who
had not nodded or slipped in the wrong
order, or patted too many of too few
times or with the wrong hand or foot;
SO there was much sport
Fun, as well as history, repeats IT.
self, and the old-time game was pro-
nounced one OF the best forfeit plays
the boys and girls had ever tried.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

Take them il you like, of course"
Mr.. Simpson said to his son. but IL
the dogs get after them, as they're
more than likely to do. don't come
to me for sympathy"
With this grudging permission, VIII
Simpson embarked in the sheep bust =
ness--Eot on "A large scale, 1t must be
admitted. His entire flock, the gift of
the upc1e for whom he was named,
numbered but four young ewes.
Al, through the winter he tended
them carefully. When spring came
his flock vas more than doubled. In
stead OF four lambs. there were six,
for two of the ewes had twins One
of these died, but even then there
were five risky lambs to reward him
Soon it would be time to turn them
out to pasture. II only they remained
undisturbed, he would have quite a
foundation for the large flock that
he hoped to one day own. For the
first few days he watched the wood
lot pasture with Jealous eyes. but
there was no sign of any intruder.
Several weeks passed without any ac-
cident and VIII had begun to feel
quite safe.
But one morning when he went to
salt the sheep he found them strange
| Iy excited. and but four Of the lambs
[
one and at last discovered 1t in a cor
ner near the fence.
There could be no doubt as to the
manner of its death. The marks of
dogs teeth were plainly visible and
part of the flesh had been torn and
eaten.
What was to be done about IL?
| Something must be done and that at
once, II he would save the remainder
/ of his flock
After a moments reflection he drove
the frightened survivors down to the
barnyard and went in search of the
first selectman of the town.
The law specified that any sheen
killed by dogs should be paid for out
of the town treasury. But it was not
of money that Will was thinking as
he fastened along the road It was
OF protecting the other helpless mem
bers of his flock and saving them
from the danger that threatened
them.
Fortunately Mr.. Watson. the Sc
lectman. was at home and he went
10 the woodlot with VIII at once II
was a clear case of killed by-dogg.
and Mr.. Watson promised to draw an
/ order for the full value of the lamb
But how about the others ?" VIII
asked. The dog'll keep coming back.
won't he?"
AS long az he is alive and free, "
Mr. Watson replied, and there are
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
THE RAINBOW FAIRIES.

Two little clouds one April day
Went flying through the sky.
They went so fast, they bumped their
heads
And both began to cry.
Old Father Sun looked out and said.
ooh. never mind, my dears,
I'll send my little fairy folk
To dry your falling tears"
One fairy came in violet.
And one In indigo,
In blue, green. yellow, orange, red
They made pretty row.
They wiped the cloud tears all away.
And then. from out the sky
Upon a line the sunbeams made,
They hung their gowns to dry.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

So the old man took the new shoes,
and the peasant caught the hen and
carried her away Then the old man
thought that he would put on his new
shoes. but he found that they were
much too small for him. Try as he
might, he could not get them onto his
feet. Just then a pedler came along,
carrying a pack on his back
What is the matter, grandfather %
! he asked.
The old man told him and he said
I Il viii give you a good needle for the
shoes. You can't use them anyway, so
you had better trade them to me"
So the old man gave up his shoes,
took the needle in his hand and start
ed on his way again. He was almost
homo when he fell and dropped the
needle out of his hand He was hunt
ing for il in the grass when q rich
lord came driving that way.
Seeing the old man on his knees by
the roadside, he ordered his coachman
to stop and asked what was the mat
ter. The old man told him the whole
story and the lord began to laugh
heartily.
What trader you are" he cried.
You should certainly Join the gipsiesl
Just wait tin you get home' why
your old woman will be ready to eat
you alive ~
mo, she WON'T declared the old
man. my wife isn't that kind She
will be glad to see me. even If l have
nothing TO bring her"
The lord did not believe him, and
he said that he would give him a
thousand roubles If his wife did not
scold him for making such foolish
trades. When they reached the old
mans hut the lord stood listening
inst n4Xtaidn "a : ~ a
man went in to his wife
MY, but l am glad to see you!''
she cried. II have been so lonely
with you away"
The Tsar gave me sack of gold
said he, taking off his cap. isn't
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

RETOLD FROM THE RUSSIAN
BY MARY GILBERT

Once upon time a poor old man
found jar that was go lovely that
his wife advised him TO carry it to
the Tsar.
Perhaps he will give you some
thing for it," she. said He must
surely be glad TO help people as poor
as we are
So the old man carried the jar
to the palace, and the Tsar gave him
measure Of gold pieces for it.
The old man started homeward
with the sack of gold on his back, but
, 1t WAS very heavy indeed. and he
soon grew so tired that he could
I hardly walk. As he was staggering
YEARLY along. wondering if he could
ever reach home with his burden,
he met young man riding a horse
What have you there" said the
young man. ut seems to be much
too heavy for you"
II carried a gift TO the Tsar." the
old man explained, land he gave me
this sack OF gold for IT."
You will never get home with
such load" said the young man.
Trade it TO me for my horse. and
he will take you there in no time"
So the old man traded his sack of
gold for the horse and went riding
along the road. But he was not used
10 Flu1tk& DoESeD9tk ana bo1niFu so
badly that the horse became fright
ened and threw him off. AS he lay
in the dust, wondering what had hap
pened, man came along driving a
cow.
why are you lying there - he ask
ed. You could rest much better e.l
the grass by the roadside"
Il carried a gift to the Tsar" the
old man explained. land he gave me
sack of gold. 1t was too heavy
for me TO carry, SO / traded il for a
horse. But the horse th~ew me off
his back. so here I ann
The newcomer s~'oed him up.
brushed off the dusS ON his clothes
and said: THAT horse seems to be
much too wild for you. Why not
trade 1t for my cow"
So the old man traded his horse
for the cow and went ON until he
met a peasant driving a sheep.
Good day. grandfather said the
peasant. Where did you get that
cow"
The old man told him all about t.
why not trade her for my Sheep"
said the peasant. "Just see what a
fine fat woody one 1t is. and you will
get neither wool nor meat from your
COW"
80 I1C Ola Ulhh ltddSo nAS COW itt
the sheep and went on until he met a
woman carrying a goose under her
arm.
Good day to you. grandfather"
she said. where do you come
FROM"
II carried a gift to the Tsar.' the
old man replied. "He gave me a
sack of gold for 1t, and ! traded the
gold for a horse and the horse for
cow and the COW for this sheep"
why not trade the sheep for my
goose?"
So the old man traded his sheep
for the goose and went on until he
met a girl carrying hen.
Good day to you. grandfather"
said she. where did you get that
fine goose?"
The old man told her, and she said
Don't you want to trade the goose
for my hen? 1t will be much easier
to keep her"
So the old man traded his goose
for the hen and went on his way once
more. But the hen was frightened and
beat her wings until she escaped from
him and went running away The old
man tried to catch her. but his straw
shoes were very. old and they caught
in the grass and made him fall down.
Just then a peasant came along,
carrying a pair OF new shoes. You
can never catch that hen in your old
shoes" he said. Better trade her to
me for these new ones.'
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
EanNif1a Y

Dear Aunt Nancy,--Spring fever
seems TO have struck this neighbor-
mood, and things are dragging slowly
along, Even the usually interesting
school games have lost much of their
NE and pleasure. The doctors, how
ever. have lately introduced a new
game called vaccination, and that Is
taking wonderfully we'll
The rainy weather. / suppose, has
dampened the ardor Of the most OF
US Has 1t affected you and the
cousins?
DO not frown when the rain comes
down,
For this you always knew:
That April showers bring May flowers,
And they may bring some to you"
Lovingly.
LOUIS DAHL
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

vain. Just then the other dove flew
TO her, and was grieving over the
dove. 1t was a pitiful sight to be
seen The boy felt so sorry for the
doves that he took his gun and shot
the other dove. That was the last
time he ever shot.
MYRTLE PALMORE.
Bacon-What did your boy learn
at college?
Egbert-Says he can't tell me.
why not?"
Says it's a secret"
Nonsense"
mo: you know. he learned this
football signals onkers. States
man.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
Riddles.

i. When is a fowls neck like bell
.. man rode 10 mill, but yet he
walked,
4. What is everybody doing at the
same time.
5. When does man sneeze three
times?
6. What belongs to yourself and Is
used by everybody more than your
MYRTLE PALMORE.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
little uep tlew,
BARRIE DAHL.


FetffShUFE, ' n
Dear Aunt Nancy was sorry not
to see my story in the paper Sunday.
but / suppose there was no room for
it. / know Alma Kemp and e A.
Minis will send a drawing | am
sending you few drawings, which
/ hope will escape the Old Goose.
What has become of NJ, Meryin Mel
TOM / received a nice letter from
Dallas and Louis Dahl the other day,
and / will answer il sometime this
week II my drawings and letter do
not make the envelope too bulky. /
will send a story on the fax with
which / won first prize at the fair.
Sincerely,
y z SKATER
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

Dear Aunt Nancy,-I am sending
you some drawing, and / hope ] Will
see il in the paper next Sunday. I
think that our page is growing fast
Don't you?
With lots of love TO you and the
f. V. ], c. members.
MARIAN GE0GHEGAN.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
Short Notes From Circle Members

have received several postcards from
Miss Emma r. Slater. She is very
interesting. Sorry I didn't have
drawing in last Sundays paper. Wish
you all a splendid paper. l am,
Sincerely,
E. A MINIS
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
Aunt Nancy Talks Shopto Circle
Members =
My Dear Nieces and Nephews:


My to
talk sometimes about the articles page to who are
makes must give make
the
needle people
a of
grumbng but just giving little advice So what
and stories called In newspaper shop.
/
circle members today make
a
i
Is / unusually Palmore
wit he to
you in The
ime o
his
will the privilege of choosing subject The
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

/. one Of the United States.
J. \ girls name.
). An English linguist of the six
teenth century.
1. The name Of a group of Russian
islands.
g. Air in motion.
). A conjunction.
7. A note in vocal music.
g. A vowel.
LOUIS DAHL
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
500 North Twenty fifth street.


Dear Auntie.--I have been SO busy
writing that / haven't had time to
send you any OF my work. but / am
back again with verses galore. | am
sending in q little apology of a verse
and / hope nobody will laugh. II is
entitled. Il Wonder Who'll BE Looney
Next"
Wishing you success and hoping TO
help. / remain,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
Farmyilie, Va.

FarmVlIIe, va.
Dear Aunt Nancy.--May / join the
Juvenile Circle? l am in the second
year kindergarten at the State Normal
school. but can't write well yet, so !
am letting papa write for me. Please
send me a badge. like to hear Louis
and Dallas read the letters from the
children.
Your little nephew.
BARRIE DAHL.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
The Young Hunter.


Once upon a time there was little
boy that always went around shoot
ing everything he saw. One day there
were two doves fixing to build their
nest When one of the doves went
out to find straw to build the nest
Just as she was returning home the
little boy saw her and shot her, She
fiuttered there on the ground and tried
to get to her nest But twas all in
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

0tlNaiie. ' r..
Dear Aunt Nancy read the nice
little letters from the members OF
your circle. and want 10 join in with
them in having q word with you, too
] am "A little boy five years old, and |
love to live In the country where there
are SO much green grass and SO many
pretty little birds. | love the redbird
best Of all, for he lis so gay and his
plumage is beautiful. / am fond Of
riding my uncle's horses. too. | want
to tell you about my pet hen, Jill, but
am afraid Of the Old Gray Goose this
time. so will tell you how wonderful
she Is in another letter
With best wishes,
Your nephew.
ROY BURRISS LENNON.
$40 West Broad street.
Richmond, Va.
My Dear Aunt Nancy am send
ing YOU a drawing for our circle,
which l hope / will see in print /
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
Trenholm. Wa.

Trenholm, Wa.
Dear Aunt Nancy was glad to
see my drawings in the paper in the
last few weeks, and / am sending in
some more drawings this week.
wish you would please put the one
you think is best in this week, as
am going to try real hard TO get the
prize, az / have never gotten one,
am sending in story and also some
riddles, which I hope You viii find
useful TO the page. l. was so glad to
see Sallie Claiborne's letter and
story. l always enjoy her stories so
much. l was wondering the other
day why she did not write / think
her story was splendid. Aunt Nancy,
how do you get the badge? I would
like 10 have one, but I don't know how
you get them. Please say in your
letter how / can get one / had for
gotten all about Thomas Jefferson's
birthday being last Sunday until saw
tire story that Marian Geoghegan
wrote Hoping that your Old Goose
Will be asleep when this arrives.
Sincerely. your niece,
MYRTLE PALMORE
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
URMER CORKER.

Beaver Dam, Va.
Dear Aunt Nancy.-hamy will
write short letter for me- / am not
having a very good time this wet
weather. az i have to stay indoors. /
go down on the brook and gather vio-
let's on bright, sunny days My two
little brothers went fishing on the
brook yesterday. They caught some
minnows, / want TO go fishing and
wade IN the water when IL gets warm
Good bye. Much love to you.
Your tiny niece.
ENERLYN CORKER.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
ltIAillp Va

Your nephew.
NJ. MERVIN MELTON.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

Beaver Dam Va
Dear Aunt Nancy have been
out picking violets. There has been
lots OF rain. The trees and flowers
are in bloom, and everything is pretty
and bright The meadows are green.
VIII pc glad when the summer
comes, for We can gather strawber-
ries, black berries and raspherries. We
can have q fine time eating water
melons and muskmeions When they
get ripe ! am going to invite you up
10 help TO eat them. By-hy
Your niece,
URMER CORKER.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
PUZZLES.

Riddles.
]. The nose.
.. A newspaper
3. When IL gets to the bottom.
CARRIE PACINI.