davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09
WHY THE CRANE STANDS
ON ONE LEG

Every now and then one of the
other birds would fly down beside him
and try to engage him in conversa-
ton. But the crane would merely
look at him and blink and answer
never word. Then, along would
come an animal, the Fox, maybe
Good morning. Crane he would say
in the most agreeable of tones. Isn't
this line weather we're having now?
But the Crane would simply 90 on
blinking and staring and nesting his
DIFF down in his feathers. Actually
donald, he was too lazy to even talk,
But there was one sure way of
shaking him out of his solemn. dignt-
ned ndifference-and that was to
tickle him on his headi Just let him
itch once and he would flop over on
the ground and roll around and rub
ms mead against the twigs and fallen
leaves and. sometimes, down into the
very earth itself. You see. Donald
his neck then was short and fat. and
not long and thin as 1t Is now. So he
couldn't bend his head down without
toppling over.
At snow. 1t so happened, the other
birds and animals presently discoy-
cred this fact. And, you may be sure
they seized every opportunity to reach
out with straws and sticks and tickle
him on his lazy head. Moreover, they
took the fieas and the gnats and the
flies into their confidence and per-
suaded them to fly or crawl up on the
cranes head and tickle him and tickle
him until he just itched and itched
and itched. Then they would all peer
out through the dense foliage and
laugh at poor Crane rubbing his head
In the ground. And, silly bird that
he was. he never once understood why
he itched so!
"One day he came to me all upset.
Indeed, for once In his life. he seemed
to be thoroughly awake. oh, Mr..
Old Man of the Forest he walled, I
am so miserable! Can't you do some-
thing for me? My head--it just
itches and itches so that don't know
what to do!'
Well, then,' I replied. 'why don't
you scratch it?'
Scratch it! Scratch itv he yelled,
quite beside himself. How can I.
when I'm up so high in the air and
I've got nothing to scratch It With
"'Oh, I see, said I. I see.' And,
as I got to thinking about It. 1 began
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09
i ritAie, ON. Fritzie," sobbed Neddie

~ r.tHie, ON. F,ritzie," sobbed Neddie.
was his missing kits! With a cry of
relief, he flung himself upon the
capering Fritz, snatched them out of
his mouth and--you may be sure
had them buttoned around him in a
jiffy
Then, calling out, Papa! Papa!"
at the top Of his voice. he clambered
up the steps.
Papa was already waiting for him
at the top.
why, Neddie," he asked in a sur
prised tone, why didn't you come
home sooner? Where have you been :?
Another boy came along a while ago
and told me he was my Neddie-but
1 knew he wasn't. of course, for he
wore pants and-and = even with
them wasn't as much of a man as you
are! Where have you been?"
But Neddie didn't even try to ex-
plain. He just flung himself into
Papa's arms and wept for Joy. And,
you may be sure, he never again took
off his kits and hid them behind an
ash-can. He was content to walt un-
til he got old enough to wear regular
pants.
And Fritz? Oh, Fritz must have
nosed those kits out from behind that
ash-can and carried them home in his
mouth to Papa. Else, in what other
way do you suppose they could have
gotten there ahead Of Neddie?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09
O. K@y2EEDl-zIHE AZEcS m
TW'F0RzAEZI77ZEST OYESVF-1f~~a
NEDDIE'S LESSON

"Tum on, Fritzie," called out Ned
die presently. "Tum on-here, here!"
And off they went on the run,
straight to the corner and from there
into the park in order to avoid pass
Ing Neddie's home for fear his
Mamma might be looking out the
window and see him without his kits.
My. what a man he looked In his
bloomers, thought Neddie! Why. bless
you, you couldn't tell them from reg
ular pants at all! OF course, there
were the buttons to which the kilts
were meant to be fastened-but most
people wouldn't notice them! Ned
die was so happy; and he felt, oh, SO
big and grown-up and proud of him
self
Moreover, when he Joined his little
playmates in the park they all looked
at him enviously. Most of them, you
see. still wore kits. so Neddie felt
very much superior to them.
"Neddie's dot his pants on again
Neddies dot his pants on!" they sang
in chorus as he came bounding up
with Fritz. And Neddie acted for all
the world as though his mother had
truly put him In pants for good.
If the truth be told--as you've
probably guessed by now-Neddie had
been doing this very same thing Tor
many, many afternoons And. IL his
mother had seen him, you may be
sure she would have understood pre-
cisely why his little bloomers were
so soiled and his kills so clean every
evening when his Papa called to him
to come in and get ready for dinner.
! Well, Neddie and the little boys and
girls played all that afternoon in the
park with Fritz running along beside
them and mingling his barks with
their shrill shouts of joy. Oh, they
| had such a good time. After a while,
however, they missed Fritz. They
hunted for him behind every bush
and called and whistled to him-but
no Fritz appeared. Presently 1t be-
| gan to grow dark and, one by one.
the children left for home. Neddie
went. too, for, you see, before he
could enter the house he had first to
get his kits from behind the ash-can
and put them on.
| Accordingly. he called out a reluct-
ant goodnight" to the rest of them
and went on the run to the area-way
in which he had concealed his kits.
1t was getting fairly dark, but he
knew just where he had stuffed them
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

HM o, Dorothy" said Mamma, as
Nshe undressed the little girl for
Ebed, you can't wear your hair
kup on your head all the time.
It's all right while you are playing
.grown-up lady in my old blue XII
mona-but 1t will be many years, my
dear, until you are a woman. Now
listen and let me tell you about lit
tie boy named Neddie who wanted to
be a big, grown-up man long before
the time he should be-and what hap
pened to him. You will then see how
very, very foolish he was and how he
learned lesson he did not forget for
many a day"
So. eager for her sleepy-tme story,
Dorothy climbed into bed. snuggled
down under the covers and forgot all
about her hair, while mother sat in
the rocker by the side of the bed and
told her the following story;
l TO begin with, Neddie wore kits.
Moreover, he felt very much ashamed
of them. He wasn't one day too old.
nor too large, either. to wear them;
hut, just the same, he thought he was.
He noticed other boys playing on the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

made an awful splash. Which didn't
like at all, for nobody likes to be
cried on. So finally l turned to him
and said, See here, Crane, lift your
leg halfway and bend your neck the
other half-then you can scratch to
your hearts delight and with lust half
the exertion.'
would you believe 1t, Donald. that
silly bird started to cry again-tears
of joy this time. Then he tried lift
ing his leg halfway and lowering his
head the other half and was simply
delightful with the result. But hadn't
finished with him yet. No, indeed,
not with that lazy thing.
For. after he had scratched the
top Of his head. he tried to lower hia
leg-but couldn't There, right II
mid-air. it remained fast and steady.
Now. you miserable fellow 1
said to him sternly, listen to me!
From this time forward you can
scratch your head in that fashion, but
whenever you are standing still, ex-
cept when you are feeding, you'll
have to stand on one leg! Remember,
on one ieg You can double the other
one up under you, where 1t will be all
nice and handy as a head-scratcher
when you want 1t. But, to punish
you for your laziness--for your d,s-
like of exerting yourself even for your
own good-you will have to bear all
the weight Of your lazy bones on that
one leg! This will remind you-for-
ever and ever-what worthless, silly.
slothful bird you are. You can think
about that when you're standing on
that leg. too! Now. out of my sight.'
And from that day to this, Donald.
the crane stands on one leg except
when he's feeding or walking. And
that is what this crane in front Of us
is thinking about right now AZ he
blinks and stares and-goodness me,
there's Nurse waking up! must
skedaddle! Good byev
The Old Man of the Woods had
vanished. And Nurse was calling.
Donald found himself rubbing his
eyes exactly as he did of a morning
after long nights sleep. But he
just knew he hadn't been dreaming.
even though Nurse insisted he had.
What do you think about itf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

and reached in confidently for them.
But-they were not there! Surprised.
he got down on his hands and knees
and peered behind the can carefully.
No. they were not there! They were
gone - someone must have taken
them!
At first he could do nothing but
stand with open mouth and wonder.
Then his mouth began to culver and
he felt that he was going to cry. But
he choked back the tears and. as a
last hope, climbed up the area-way
steps, thinking that maybe a mis-
chievous wind had come along and
blown them from behind the ash-can.
But, look though he did, he could not
find them. Meantime. 1t grew darker
and darker; and presently he heard
his father calling-and calling loudly.
too.
Poor little fellowl There was moth
ing for him to do but go. So. with
out his kits and with his little bloom
ers shining out for all the world like
regular pants. he ran to the front
waiting for him.
80, here you are, at last. are your"
Papa was saying as he ascended them.
Then. all of sudden. Papa smiled
though. you may be sure, Neddie
couldn't see him.
les. Papa, here is." replied Ned
die. Has Fritz tum home?"
Papa looked at him a moment In
silence; then he caught him almost
roughly by the arm.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09
stufred Them Behind the Big Ash Can.

Stuffed Them Behind the Big Ash Can.
--stsnret, you see, wearing regular trou-
sers; and he longed, oh, how he
longed for the time when he would
be old enough to dress like a regu-
lar boy"
Quite often. after Mamma had
dressed him in his pretty suit and kilt
skirt-with the cunning little bloom
ers that are always worn under them.
you remember-and sent him out to
play, Neddie would cry and stamp his
foot and beg not to be made to wear
them.
Everyone thought he was little
girl, he would complain, and all the
other bo - and girls poked fun at him
and cali I'd him a "girl-boy." But
Mamma told him not to mind and to
just wait until next spring when he
would be large enough and old enough
10 appear in real pants - then they
would see what a fine boy he wasl
Presently - Mamma could not un-
derstand just why, though she was
happy Indeed that 1t was so-little
Neddie ceased to complain about hav-
Z, ing to wear his kits. Off he would
go of an afternoon. his face wreathed
In smiles, to play on the street. And,
In the evening, back he would come,
still smiling and with never a COM
plant that his playmates had teased
him about being girl because he
wore kits.
"My goodness. Neddiel" Mamma
would often exclaim when she was
undressing him for the night. II
don't see how you get your bloomers
so soiled and keep your kits SO clean.
Why. they aren't even mussed - and
just look at those bloomers."
Whereupon Neddie would smile at
her and answer never a word.
One afternoon, as usual, he went
out the front door to play around. un-
til Just before Papa came home for
dinner, spick and span in a brand
new kilt suit. Mamma kissed him
goodbye and begged him to be care
full and keep himself clean. Hopping
along at his heels was his dog Fritz
Scarcely had the door closed behind
him when Neddie ran to the area-way
of a house several doors down the
street from his own home. Quickly he
descended the steps, unbuttoned his
kits, rolled them into a neat bundle
and stuffed them behind the big ash
can that reposed there. Fritz jumped
and danced around him, barking play
fully and all eager and waiting for his
little lord and master to take him into
the park across the street where they
could run together and chase imagi-
nary cats. And as Neddie stuffed the
despised kits behind the can Fritz
would sniff at them and pretend to
believe they were a rat or some other
animal that should be attacked vio-
lently.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

ITH his face pressed close to,
the wire screen, little Donald
stood before the enclosure at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

to feel sorry for him. What do you
want me to do?' l asked presently.
Make my neck as long as my
legs! Crane answered promptly. Then
can lean down and rub my head in
the dirt without much trouble. Please,
Mr.. Old Man, please give me a long
neck
I'd rather give you a long talk
ing to about your lazinessr retorted
somewhat angrily. But there is some
merit in what you say, SO I'll do as
you request
"And with that waved my Magic
Wand and straightway his neck be-
came long and thin, Just like the necks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

Say, who are you'll" he exclaimed.
81 don't know you-pm looking for
my little boy Neddie."
Poor Neddie stopped and stared at
his Papa, with mouth open.
'I'se-Tse Neddie." he managed to
say in a weak little voice.
Papa paused and looked at him
carefully. from head to foot.
"Oh, no you're not" he insisted.
my Neddie is a little fellow who
wears kits. You're a grown-up boy
and you wear regular pants. No in
deed, you can't come In here. This
isn't your home--or your dinner
waiting on the table for you either!"
And, with that, Papa went in the
house and closed the door behind him.
Poor Neddie! For moment he
was 80 amazed he didn't know ex-
actly what to think, much less do.
Then, as 1t came over him that he
was locked out for the night-per-
haps for always-and would have nc
dinner to eat nor q nice warm bee
in which to sleep, he felt his little
knees wobble under him. He rushed
to the closed door and began pound
ing upon 1t. But there was no an
swer-his Papa. you see. didn't know
it was he!
So, finally, little Neddie realized that
he could never, never make his Papa
recognize him-unless he found his
kits! Sadly and with the tears
streaming down his face he began to
descend the steps. Perhaps, after all
he had not looked behind that ash
can carefully enough. oh. just sup
pose he wouldn't be able to find those
kits! Why, he would have to stay
out all night and-and-freeze to
death perhaps or-or - maybe some
bad men would come along and steal
him-or-or-
Just then the front door opened be-
hind him and. with bark of delight
Fritz came bounding down the steps
"Fritzie, oh. Fritzie!" sobbed Ned
die Then, suddenly, he noticed that
Fritz had something in his mouth
that dragged along behind him and
tangled itself up with his front legs
Neddie looked down, reached out
took hold of it and--lo and behold. II
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

You may be sure, Donald, 7 was
pretty we'll disgusted with the lazy
fellow. Well, then.' l almost shouted
at him, why don't you lift up your
foot and scratch yourself with it!'
'Oh-well-,' he replied languidly,
I had never thought of that, I'll try
it, And he stalked slowly off on his
pipe-stem legs.
THE very next afternoon, however.
he was back again. What IS the mat
ter now?' I asked angrily.
Please, Mr.. Old Man. he drawled.
don't be mad, but it's such a bother
to lift that long leg of mine way UP
to my head. It's so tiresome-aimosf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

of all cranes, have been from that
day to this. That settled. turned to
my other business for the day.
But, Donald. would you believe II,
only three mornings later he came to
me again. oh, Mr.. Old Man of the
Woods he walled, I itch more than
ever! 1 thought having long neck
would cure 1t - but it hasn't. And
now. whenever my head itches, I have
to bend my head all the way down on
that awful long neck you've given me
-and-and it's so tiresome. Besides
1t takes so long that l feel I'll go
crazy with the itching before l can
get my head to the ground to rub it!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09

as much so as stretching my neck
down to my foot to scratch it.
ITO say that l was angry. Donald,
wouldn't begin to describe 1t. ] was
both mad and disgusted and--well, l
determined to teach him lesson.
Look here l exclaimed sharply. II
you're so lazy as that why don't you
go ahead and let 1t itch without
scratching
"But no sooner had I said those
words than he began to weep and cry
all over the place. Now Cranes tears,
Donald, weren't so very big but. you
see, they had such long way to fall
that when they hit the ground they
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09
THE BEAVER

~ HE Beaver is industrious--
He works the live-long day;
- He cuts down trees to build his
home
And never stops to play.
But he is driven from his home
And slain just like the rats,
Because his hide is valuable
In making beaver hats.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09
The Broomstick Horse

~AERCYl somebody stop him.
pray
liz The broomstick horse is run
ming away;
He's off with his master around the
And something will happen if they
keep on.
Here they come at frantic pace.
The riders curls blown back from
his face:
Hat. too. gone and his clothes awry.
But desperate courage is in his
eye.
Hal he has conquered; he draws the
rein;
Broomstick horse you struggle in
vain;
France as you will and try to go.
Your master can manage you.
Whoa, there. whoa!
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23
EDITORS AND OFFICE.

Harry Sommers. who doesn { want
any sort Of an Office remarks IN his
ElizabethtoW (Ky.) Ne rs:
There have been score or more Of
prominent editors in Kentucky who
have sought federal appointment, and
outside Of one who secured the post
Office in his town we do not recall
another instance where any one Of
them has been successful. A score or
more of editors were also candidates
Tor party nominations for local offices,
and in nearly every instance they were
defeated
This induces MI. Sommers to remark
that an editor ought to hesitate long
time before seeking political prefer
ment of aLy kind. and to pay the FOL
lowing tribute TO the thought-molders
Of the rural press:
THE country editor has a crcum-
scribed field, but in It he can accom-
plish more than he could possibly hope
70 do as an official IN the same terri
tory. He is greater moral force "a a
community than any preacher IN II be
cause he reaches so many more people.
He is a greater force for education
than any teacher for the same reason.
In the material development in ITprog =
ed methods of agriculture, good roads
and many similar things he has an OPP
portunity for nestimable service.
When an editor measures properly all
the avenues Of service opened up to
him in his profession he should refuse
to join the pie brigade whether the
counter be at Washington or Frank
fort. IL shame to spoil a good
newspaper man to make a politician.
There Is an old saying that the
shoemaker should stick to the last. y
which is only another way of saying
Every man to his trade. There is
no doubt that the real. capable editor
can serve his country better by stick
ing to his paper than by reaching out
for public office. There is lot of sat
istactlun IN running, or helplng 10 run,
II good newspaper, even though the
emoluments may not be commensurate
with the magnitude of the task.
Office holding is mot all that It is
cracked up TO be. " Frequently the job
is lost Just when it IS needed most and
the man who devotes his life mainly
To office holding is not very well htted
for anything else. When he must
needs step down and out of official
position he is badly handicapped in
the struggle for existence.
The editor who is doing well in his
business ought 10 let well enough
alone There is always plenty of ma
terial TO OH offices, but there is never
any overplus of editorial talent.
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

A complaint has come TO this office
that there is no half holiday given the
public school children on Peggy Stewart
Day and on Old Defeners Day. There
are so many school holidays and bank
holidays. no one can scarcely keep
track Of them, but II does seem that
some special notice Of both these days
should be taken to foster local pride.
However. il the half day be given over
in the schools to teaching this part of
Maryland history, q great deaI can be
accomplished
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23
NOTICE TO CREDITORS

AIorICE rs HEREBY GIVEN. tH
~ Subscriber Of Anne Ar...
hRs obtained from Tia lEl
Anne Arundel county in aaIt
Of Administration on the pen
KATIE PLAEDEH
Ia4g Of Anne Arundel county 40.
psrsous having claims against
are hereby warned 81 6Zl.e.- ..-
the v1ucheF thereof lo the sa.a.z
before fue
10Th DAY or JANIaEI. ..
Tbav may o4beryrsrs. cg lsa p.
from al benefit on EalC aaEal. AZ.
Indebted 80 said estate arc req 1es.se
I'm n ediate payment.
GEORGE r plAEHH
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

Az Subscriber bRs obtain f..w
phans COURT OF Anne hra..al .-..
Maryland Letters OF Admla.alr.. uat
personal estate %
JOSEPH MACALEy.
late OF Anne Arundel County d-...s.1
All persons having claims hGu.HE
ceased. are hereby warned 90 #EHI... So.
same with tie vouchers thereof. q" t..t
scriber, on or before the
nth DAY OF JANUAEt.
They may otherwise by law
from all benefit Of said estate a
Indebted 20 said estate are E.#H ..... 81
make Immediate payment
Given under my hand tbE i' .at
ANTONINO Mhr#.l
al ..wU
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

So Sherwood Spencer the former
MILDLY and poet has stopped writing for
the Smart Set and is trying to raise
the Philadelphia, and bring part of the
old ship TO Annapolis. When Annapo-
lis gets part of Philly, there'n be
something doing Slowly slowly we
never did believe in going the pace
that kills even by bringing the Phila-
delphia from ,Algiers.
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23
homo - CEEnLT...

~ subscribar has o.Irnr. truW
Orphans Court ul Anne Arundel .H.r..
Maryland. Letters .tstHu,uIH-.
porsCual estate G..
THOMAS NDNgs
late OF A nnC aruE1.. County. dos.
persons haViuE C|aiuE lea.r.. So.
are hereby wsgued % tTG b. EH. a.#.
the vouchers thcIgof 60 th- subscribers
or belova the
25lb DAY OF DISC HUIH.
They may otherwise hg Jaw. p. excluded
from ali benefit OF sEld estate AL ..rs
indebted tC salA cstGt. gfc requested .n w...
Immediate payment.
Given under Our hand. l. g.h daE
june. 1913.
GFoRCE W.TUs
iI8 AdmIutstratur G.. a.U. H. & A.
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

NOTICE is HEREBY GWEN
FEubRcriber has obtained Ia'.
Court Of Anne Arundel County
letter. OF Admtui6trstiQn 9H
estate Of
FREDERICK a. s1IlH
IEtc Of anne AElucC. -.E~t
persons hEyiuF claims against ta- -
are hereby warned % EXHIBIT
before the
aeTH DAY OF NOV EHh1t. l..
They uav ofncrv1sa. - law, ~ aA
from all beneht Of said estate, ~.
dexter 10 ssld estate arc rae-at
immediate payment.
Given under nay har1 t21 '-
May, 1913.
MARIE @, sMlTH Aa..
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

More miners are entombed. This
time it Is go in the mines at Dawson,
New Mexico. When will these hor-
ribIe mining tragedies cease.
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

stumofeS that General Huerta would
resign if he could make his exit with
deeency Making an exit with de-
cency in Mexico seems to mean sus-
pending the fugitive law so disastrous
10 the Maoeros and in addition. as a
mere matter Of precaution. wearing a
breastplate on the back
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

Wanted-99 men to each give SO. to
retain the'services Of a District Nurse
here next year. Gentlemen don't be
backward in coming forward.
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

This is oyster week aud yesterday
was apple day. Too many good things
ali huddled together -as usual.
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

oh Virgie Virgie our patience
is almost exhausted waiting TO see that
little Tin Bullet once again. and renew
old acquaintance.
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-23

Yesterday was Apple Day and we
nave some mighty fine pippins in An
nspclis. But let's not forget the
peaches. too