davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

and put 1t In her mouth Then she
looked longingly at the cake, wishing
that she might cut a big slice from
it. But even though she was in the
midst of an "off day." she dared not
go so far as that. So she got down
from the ladder and let her blue eyes
feast upon the sandwiches. How she
did want just one. Her little hand
went out to get a nut sandwich which
lay right on top all the others. But
just as she was closing her fingers
over it she heard her mothers voice
calling to her. Come. Patty dear.
It's time for your bath, darling!'
Patty unlocked the pantry door and
quietly stole out. Then she ran up
stairs, answering to her mothers call.
I'm coming. Mother"
After five minutes bath In sooth-
ing warm water. Patty was put into
bed to have a twenty-minute nap.
She lay very STILL her eyes closed,
and in imagination. looking at the
huge birth day cake down in the pam
try. Her mother had kissed her and
gone from the room, telling her to
go fast asleep, and promising to come
and wake her in time to dress for the
party.
But Patty's eyes kept blinking and
blinking, and she was about to jump
up and go to her mother to tell her
she could not sleep when the door
opened and in walked the great cake.
Its seven candles were flaming when
1t first entered the door. but as soon
as it had walked up to Patty they all
turned into hideous soldiers, each
carrying long. sharp sword. These
soldiers left the cake and hoped
upon the bed where Patty was now
sitting up. startled. They began to
prick her with their swords and when
Patty cried out. "Oh, you are cruel!
Your swords hurt mel" they replied:
mo, 1T is not our swords which hurt
you, 1t is Master Conscience pricking
you. He is Furnishing you for having
followed his enemy. Old Temptation"
Before Patty could say a word in
reply. a huge, black raisin came
bouncing from the cake. 1t danced
nimbly toward Patty on long. frisky
legs you will steal and devour my
brother. will you?" 1t shrieked in
Patty's ear. What will your guests
say when they find my. brother and
me gone from the cakes side? Aren't
you ashamed to have been so naughty?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
The Boyhood of John Ruskin

- Ohm RUSKIN'S early life was a
sombre one in that he was closely
associated with very Puritani-
~ cal and pious mother, who kept
his toys locked away from him, fear
ing to allow him to play much. for in
and too fond of pleasure. She was a
woman of fine. strong character of the
old Scotch school OF motherhood. She
believed that to spare the rod would
spoil the child. so many good fog
ging did the little John receive at his
mothers hands when he acted in op-
position to her wishes. But little can
be said in condemnation of his moth
ers severity, for her love, pure and
unselfish, shone out through every
thing else, and though she might re-
prove her beloved son in a severe way
her heart ached over having been
obliged to do so. John was the big
gest thing In his mothers life. as well
as in his fathers. The following Is
quoted from biographer:
''The first account of John Ruskin
mother when he was six years old
She chronicles-not without touch
of superstition the breaking of a
looking glass, and continues: John
grows finely; he is just now sleeping
on my knees and looking sweetly.
hope l shall not grow proud of him.
when once little John could read
henceforward his mother gave him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
The Big Ants of Africa

1t is their habit to march through the
forests in a long, regular line--a line
about two inches wide, and often sew
eral miles in length. All along this
line are the largest ants, who act as
officers, standing outside the ranks to
keep the singular army in order. If
they come to a place where there
are no trees to shelter them from the
sun, whose heat they cannot bear.
they Immediately build underground
tunnels. through which the whole
army passes in columns to the forest
beyond These tunnels are four or
five feet underground. and are used
only in the heat of the day or dur
ing a storm. When they grow hungry.
the whole file spreads itself through
the forest in a front line. and attacks
and deyours all that it overtakes
Even the elephant and the gorilla
fly before this attack. The black men
run for their lives. Every animal
which lives in their line of march is
chased. In an incredibly short time
the moose, the leopard or deer is
overwhelmed. killed and eaten. and
the bare skeleton only remains. They
seem to travel night and day.
Their manner of attack is an Inn
petuous leap. Instantly the strong
pincers are fastened. and they only
let go when the piece of flesh they
hold gives way. At such times this
little animal seems animated by a
kind of fury, which causes it 10 dis
regard entirely It's own safety. and
to seek only the conquest of its prey.
Their bite is very painful. The native
negroes relate that in former times
criminals were exposed in the path of
these ants, as the most cruel manner
of putting them to DEATH"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

sTT was many. many hundreds OF
a years ago that the events in this
n story transpired. It was time
y when men were yet In the savage
state, and this great country of ours
was still unknown.
Far to the East. beyond the ex-
panse of unknown waters, lived a
tribe on the borders of sea. And
bounding them to the southwark ran
a low range of mountains in which
a river found its source and flowed
down to the sea. This range of noun
tains was the home for many wild
animals. among them fierce lions
which menaced the life of the savage
tribe. But there were great hunters
among these savages, and the chief
tain's son, by name, Sartis, was ablest
of them all. He was but youth, per-
haps sixteen, but he was tall. strong
and athletic, and would put to shame
the best gym" boy of the best col
1ege team of today.
One day Sartis decided to make
an excursion far into a jungle, and
alone, for he was an adventuresome
youth who loved taking great risks
with life and limb. But never in all
Ills 6lAlctu yCdlb Acht llO bCCi
or hurt IN any way by beast or
savage enemy. He carried long,
well-made wooden spear with sharp
bone head and small but powerful
club with which he was most dexter
ious; and over his shoulder hung a
splendidly-devised bow with arrows.
Thus you will see that he was well
equipped to do battle with man or
beast.
He spoke no word of his intention
to his mother or TO the other female
members of his family. To his father,
the chieftain, he merely spoke few
words. saying that he wanted lions
skin for his bed, and that he would
go in quest of one. AS words were
never spoken without occasion in
those days, the great chief only bowed
his savage head. thus signifying his
willingness for his favorite son and
heir to go hunting, and alone.
Sartis turned from the village of
rude mud huts, and tents made of
animal skins, and found his way along
the edge of the sea to the place where
the river entered 1t. There he found
a canoe of savage make, rude thing,
but safe and of swift motion in the
water. He was soon inside 1t, making
his way UP stream against heavy
current.
For several hours he pulled up
stream; then he came to a tributary
which was over-hung with a mass of
green. He was entering the heart of
a jungle, and this tributary would
lead him to 1t more quickly than
would the larger stream. So into the
tributary shot the little canoe. and
was soon lost to sight by the over
hanging vines and dropping boughs of
the lose-standing trees.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Sartis four his canoe and put the
skin inside 1t. then got in himself.
And just as the dusk was falling he
turned into a bit of cove in the
curved shore of the sea. and little
later walked into the village and to
his fathers hut. A number of big.
brave warriors stood and sat around,
and when they examined the lions
skin and knew that Sartis had got the
animal without assistance they mar
yelled much. Never had such a young
hunter performed such daring deed
before to their knowledge. And from
that moment Sartis became the hero
of the tribe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

came upon a path, beaten almost as
hard as though by human feet. This
path led away from the watering
place which was in the stream. Sar-
tbs followed the path toward the tnte-
rior o. the Jungle for his native in
stinct told him that lions were there.
He kept on in the path, creeping
stealthily, and with many pauses to
listen. He knew every sound which
came to his quick ears. and also knew
just how Mr away was the source of
1t. The jungle was swarming with
all sorts of creatures, and each species
had Its own peculiar song or vocal
sound. A boy of today would find 1t
rather scarey work, diving his way
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
HoUR-GLAss PUZZLE.

This hour-glass is. composed of six
words and one letter; the first ana
last words contain seven letters each;
the second and sixth words contain
five letters each; the third and hfth
words contain three letters each; the
middle of the glass is formed by the
letter II. on which the top words bal
ance. The words are: 1. Dark spots.
2. Sudden invaslons of the enemy In
war. 3. Something very hard ana
cold. A. The letter. 5. Something
used by ladies' when dressing their
hair. 6. Female relatives. Y. The
act of emitting sound of contempt.
BEHEf oINGS AND CURTAILINGs.
/. Behead and curtail the values
placed on articles for sale and get
grain used for food. 2. Behead and
curtail Instruments used for locating
bullets in wounds and get a dress OF
state. 8. Behead and curtail a tragic
play and set a male sheep. 4. Behead
and curtail rows Of thornbushes grow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
Patty Peters Strange Visitors

"Oh, we'll not have 1t right away"
explained Mamma. "You shall wait
till two o'clock. Then comes your
bath, after which. twenty minutes
nap; and then you shall be dressed
for your party. So come upstairs
with me-
but, Mamma, please, I'd rather re-
main down stairs and play with my
dolls in the living room," begged
Patty. And her mother consented.
saying that she would cal, to her when
it was bathing time. So Patty ran to
the living room and began playing
party with her two biggest dolls.
But the birthday cake kept coming
before her eyes, and after a few min
utes she crept quietly through the
dining room to the pantry where she
softly closed the door behind her.
Listening at the keyhole to make
sure Cook was not coming to the
sacred place where she was hiding,
Patty gently turned the key and made
herself safe from outsiders. Then
she got upon the little step-ladder.
which was always there, and reached
up to the great birthday cake on the
third shelf from the bottom. On top
of the step-ladder, Patty could easily
inspect the cake-could even lay
hands on it. This she did. and as she
drew the white-crusted mountain of
sweet towards her. one of the seven
candles fell off. AS Patty replaced
the candle she got some of the icing,
which had been loosened blythe candle,
on her fingers. She ate 1t. oh, how
good it wasl Then she pinched off a
bit more, and bit more, and present.
ly a fine juicy raisin came in sight,
lust below the heavy icing. Deity.
Patty extricated the round. fat raisin
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
Our puzzle Corner x

ing about fields and get the cutting
side of a blade.
ZIG-ZAG PUZZLE.
This zig-zag contains seven words
of equal length. If they are rightly
guessed and written one below an
other their zig-zag letters, beginning
with the upper left-hand letter and
ending with the lower left-hand let
ter, will spell a great number. The
cross-words are: /. A place from
which ore is taken. 2. Part of a
chain. 3. To stop in ones progress.
4. A prison. g. Menial labor. s. A
feature of the face. Z. A memoran-
dunn.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
PUZZLES.
CHARADE:-Blucbeard. l. Blue. 2.
Beard.
ADDITIONS:-1. Edrl-Pedrl. 2.
Rdil-Frail. 3. Ink-Rink. 4. Hay-
Shay.
REBUs:-Boys spin tops and oirls
play Oith dolls and both hare great
fun
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Now for some quick work, or III
never return to the village and to my
father" thought Sartis. So he pre-
pared for the attack which he knew
was being planned. He knew he had
the place of vantage. for he was on
an abrupt rise of ground. bit of a
knoll ten feet higher than the spot
where he felt his enemy to be hiding.
He stationed himself behind a huge
rock. overgrown with rank grass and
weeds, and just off the watering place
path he had been following. Here
he made himself in readiness for the
spring of the lion. That was the way
with the huntsmen of his tribe-they
never made the advances. but stood
on the defensive.
One, two, three minutes elapsed,
and nothing from the hiding place of
the lion. Had the sly fellow sensed
his own danger and gone quietly off !?
But Sartis was we'll acquainted with
the behavior of the king of beasts
He might be obliged to remain there
half an hour. and again only the
briefest moment, before the attack
But that the beast would make a
charge on him he did not doubt
Presently, and with startled SEN
satton at his heart. Sartis knew the
moment had arrived. But as before,
he heard nor saw nothing. He sensed
1t. There was vibration in the air,
twig quivered. a leaf trembled, the
birds overhead ceased to sing or
scream. Sartis held his sharp, hard
wooden spear ready. 1t was made SO
- L. 1t
skinned animal than a lion. And
there was the arm of steel and the
eye of an eagle behind it, Alertness
in every inch Of the youths body was
apparent.
1t came like sudden onrush of wa
ter or an earthquake. The beast ap-
peared just an instant before the
final attack, which was instantaneous.
It's 1.-THE. swaying body leapt through
the green like flash of lightning. Its
massive paws, meant to kill, caught
at the tense body of Sarts. But the
animal had more than a dummy man
to reckon with. Sartis was even
quicker than the aggressor. His long
spear point pierced the shoulder of
the lion just above the heart. The
creature, giving vent to its horrible
cries of pain which preceded death, fell
back in a sort of spasm; then 1t be-
gan to recover its strength for another
attack. Sartis. as calm as though he
were playing with winged bird. ran
lightly to the beast and raised his
club. One blow between the lions
eyes and 1t stretched itself on the
ground, quivering for a few minutes,
when a slight convulsion of the mus
cles ended it's physical disturbance. It
lay as dead as though a modern gun
bullet had gone into its heart or brain.
Now. to get the skin home" said
Sartis to himself. and he set to work
with a skill no less remarkable than
his genius at killing the beast, and
soon he had the beautiful tawny pelt
over his back, making his way down
to the village FIVE or six miles distant
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
AN ABSENT-MINDED CLERGY
MAN

III CLERGYMAN, very much preoc-
cupied with some weighty subject
in mind, went along country
road. Soon he came to a toll-gate and
asked of the keeper: What is the fee,
sir?"
''Fee?" returned the keeper In some
surprise. why, for man, nothing"
But for my horse" replied the
clergyman.
your horse?" returned the keeper
with an amused look on his face.
why sire, you have no horsezunless
you'd call shank's mare one"
Then the minister looked down be-
tween his legs and cried out: Lord
bless me! l thought / had mounted
my old nag. l must have left her.
saddled and bridled, beside the gate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

solitary when at home, and kept
precisely. He was so little afraid
of animals that he must needs NEEDLE
with their fierce Newfoundland dog,
Lion. whish hit him in the mouth. and
spoiled his looks. He did not fear
ghosts nor thunder.
o AT seven, little John began to
Initiate the books he was reading. to
write books himself. He had found
out how to print, as all children do;
and ii was his ambition to make
real books with title pages and Illus
trations.
"A characteristic letter written to
his father. when John was about sew
en-, follows: Dear Papa, l love you.
| have got new things. Waterloo
Bridge-Aunt Bridget brought me it.
John and aunt helped TO put 1t up, but
the pillars they did not put up right,
upside down. Instead of a book bring
me whip, colored red and black. To-
morrow is Sabbath. Tuesday l go to
Croydon. 1 am going to take my ship
and my boats to Croydon. / will sail
them on the pond near the burn
which the bridge Is over. 1 will be
very glad to see my cousins. was
very happy when 1 saw Aunt come
from Croydon. l love Mrs. Gray and
[ love Mr.. Gray. / would like you
to come home, and my kiss and my
love-"
One biographer tells of little Johns
preaching" when he was but three
years old. He would climb upon a
little chair and in very solemn way,
with hands clasped and eyes cast
heavenward, say: People. be dood.
II you are dood, bod will love you.
If you are not dood. bod will not
love you. People, be dood. Amen"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

takes up the trade Of one of the works
ers present. Immediately. while the
the king or queen works. all the others
stop, except the worker whose trade
the king or queen takes up, and he or
she begins welding the scepter, and
continues doing so as long as the king
or queen works: but as soon as the
ruler ceases. and again assumes the
scepter, the workers begin plying their
trades again. Any one of the players
who does not at once begin his work
upon the kings taking up the scepter
must cease playing. and at the end of
the game must pay forfeit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

L
her a birthday party. Patty
was seven years old. and an
y only child. But In this instance,
being an only child did not mean
that she was spoilt by her parents.
Indeed, no! Patty's mamma and papa
were very sensible people, and wanted
their only child to grow up nice and
good and wise, so they taught her to
obey their wishes.
But Patty sometimes had her little
"off days." which means that Patty
was sometimes a bit naughty. And
one of these "off days happened to
come on her birthday-the very day
of her party But Patty would not
have owned to being naughty-no in
deed. She thought she was in the
right. just like lots of other little
girls-and boys, too who have their
"off day."
1t happened this way: After Patty S
mother had the table all beautifully
set for the party, she called to Patty
to come and see it. Patty came run
ming, and clapped her hands with glee
as she looked at the long, white.
sparkling table with bouquets Of pink
carnations and green ferns. and the
little pink candles all up and down
the centre. shaded with gilt shades.
Then Patty noticed something.
There was no food upon the table.
and she frowned and said: But
where is my birthday cake. and all
the goodies we are to eat-my friends
and II"
"Oh, that will be put on the table
the very last thing" exclaimed Mann
ma 1.-THE cake will hold seven
candles one for each birthday my
little daughter has had; and the
sandwiches and the chicken salad and
the fruits and nuts and candies will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

all come with the cake. Mother will
the little guests have arrived. The
food must be kept nice and fresh till
the last minute, you know, darling"
Yes, Mamma" replied Patty, the
frown leaving her face. But may l
see the goodies and the birthday cake.
please?"
"Yes they are all In the pantry.
Come with me, dear" And Mamma
led the way to the pantry where
Patty was shown a great. white, can
died cake. quite as large as herself.
she thought. And seven beautiful
pink candles stood about over the top
of this cake like so many little sold
iers. And then Mamma opened the ice
box and showed Patty large platter
filled, ain-shaped. with chicken
salad, and lovely long basket. nap
lined. filled with tiny sandwiches
of many kinds. Patty could smell
sardine sandwiches among them. and
how she did love sardines! She
smacked her lips and asked for one.
but Mamma shook her head and said:
mo, dear, not now. You have just
finished your luncheon. and must not
have another bite. 1t will be only a
short time now till your party comes
off, and then you'll have a real feast.
So come away. and be a good, patient
little Patty"
How long till the party?" asked
Patty, reluctantly following her moth
er out of the pantry.
Mamma glanced at the clock In the
hall. Its now one o'clock, and our
party is. set for three. Now come.
dear: you must have your bath soon
and lie down and have nap. For a
bit of rest will make you more fit for
your party. little l--dy."
But you never allow me to have
a bath right after eating my lunch. >
declared Patty. holding back at the
foot OF the stairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Does yos- kind mother know of your
sly visit to the pantry?'
Then a big flake of icing. came off
the cake and jumped right through
the air just as Patty was opening her
mouth to speak. 1t struck right be-
tween her lips and lodged against her
teeth, locking them shut. Patty tried
in vain to dislodge the great, hard.
bitter thing, for now instead Of be-
ing sweet the icin. was bitter.
We're strange birthday visitors.
aren't you?" grinned the cake, up
setting himself and treaking into frag-
ments. Patty's heart sank. Her love-
ly cake gone to bits! And now she
could have no partyi Tears came
into her eyes and she struggled to cry
out. but the bitter icing kept her
silent by closing her mouth and seal
ing her teeth together.
AS Patty was on the point of get
ting out of bed and running to her
mother, the one to whom she always
went in all kinds of trouble, she felt
hand shaking her shoulder and a
dear voice saying: Come, wake up
daughter! 1t is time for you to dress
for your party"
Patty opened her eyes and sat up.
She looked about for the broken cake
and the jumping, cavorting raisin:
but neither was there. She put her
hand to her teeth, but no flake of
icing held them together. She had
been asleep and dreaming
"Oh, Mamma, dear" ;,e broke out
with, throwing herself into her moth
er's arms, i've been SO naughty.
And I'll tell you all about it, and I'll
never, never do so again. indeed, l shall
not And to her mothers surprise.
Patty confessed what she had done
in the pantry. and then told about
her horrid dream.
.'It was Master Conscience sure
enough, pricking you.' replied Mann
ma with a very serious voice and
hurt look in her kind eyes. But I
do believe my little daughter will
keep her promise to never. never be
naughty again. See how it hurts one
to be wicked!
Eyes, Mamma, It does hurt. Why,
thought that piece of icing would
strangle me to death. and l couldn't
cry out. That was my wickedness
smothering me, wasn't it?''
And Patty's mother folded her In
her arms and talked ever SO kindly
to her, and told her many. many
things she had never told her before.
for now that Patty was seven years
old she could understand. And she
made a sacred vow to be good girl
in future. Then Mamma helped her
to dress in her best whito frock and
white shoes, and when she was ready
to receive her guests, she and Mamma
went, hand in hand. down to the pan
try and Mamma pointed to the fine
big cake and said: you see. 1t is
all right, for it's seven little pink
soldiers have protected 1t from Cid
Temptation"
And then the guests began to ar
rive and Patty ran off to receive them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

through the thicket, weapon in hand,
and keeping a sharp lookout. Now
I must find the watering place, for
there are no signs of one being here
abouts."
So began his search for a watering
place, which could easily be told by a
path beaten among the leaves and
grass, and slight clearing away of
vines and thicket. Many animals
coming daily to drink. soon leave their
track, and we'll did Sartis know this.
After hunting about in a sly man
ner, much as our North American
Indian hunted, Sartis found an open
ing in the dense thicket: then he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

into a thronged Jungle; but Sartis was
accustomed to such adventure and en-
joyed 1t immensely. Besides. he had
a big object in view-a fine lions
skin for his bed.
Suddenly he felt rather than heard
a moving body near to him. He estopped
and crouched low to the earth
and looked sharply through the jungle.
as well as listening alertly. He neith-
er saw nor heard thing save the
still green about him. But he knew
full well that the beast he sought
was within fifty feet of him. and
also knew that the animal had scented
his presence.