davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Respect for The Flos

F the celebration of Flag Day. each H year. accomplishes nothing else of
 a practical nature, 1t at least re-
 wives in the breast of every true American respect for his flag. Not every one, you know. even though he might be eager to fight for the flag should Secession arise. feels a venera- ton for the Stars and Stripes, for the flag itself, at all times. All too often, many of us are inclined to look upon 1t as simply a piece of bunting.
 But there was one little fellow, in a moving picture show the other even ing. who quite evidently considers the flag always the sacred emblem of his country and. therefore. to be re- spected.
 This little lad. with his mother. was intensely interested in a thrilling "bat- tie picture" being shown on the screen. A desperate charge was be- ing made by the Union soldiers upoo the entrenched enemy. Suddenly on the screen the color bearer was seen to stop, throw up his hands and fall to earth, presumably dead. And as he fell, the flag fell with him.
 "Heyi Catch iti" shouted the little boy, jumping to his feet. Don't let the flag touch the groundi"
 "Hushl Hushl" commanded his mother, seizing him by the arm. 'It
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

larger birds come flying by. And your coat is now suited to all climes. Rough and ugly though it is. it will protect you from the cold and the rain and the snow. Though you do not know 1t as yet, you will soon discover that you are very hardy and that you can successfully fight many birds twice and even three times your size. But-you must accept the bad along with the good. l really"
 This Is what I wish, Good Fairy" interrupted Peacock most eagerly and rudely 'I wish to wear the most beautiful plumage in the world! I wish strange, wonderful colors to glis- ten on my back so that everyone who sees me shall exclaim oh, what a lovely b'rdl' I wish to sit always on the kings wall ana to dwell In the Gardens of the we-l<hr. I wish my plumage to dazzle and to b. so won derful that no one cal psss me by. I must be known as tAe queen of birdsl"
 Good Fairy hesitased mo.rent and then cast her spell; and presently Pea cock blinked few times and gazed down at his reflection in the shim- mering pool close by.
 "Oh" he exclaimed, and then "Ah!" and then "Oh!" again, so de- lighted was he with his fan-like, vari- colored tail and his neck and breast of an iridescent, greenish blue and his delicate crest. So proud was he that he lifted up his voice to cry out "Oh, I anl so beautiful"
 But at the first note he stopped, amazed, stunned, for his voice was a thin, high screech that gave all the other birds the shivers. Indeed. they quickly clapped their wings over their ears to shut out the dreadful sound.
 You said nothing about your voice, remember said the Good Fairy, gazing sadly at the astounded Pea cock. nor your feet either--look at them."
 Peacock looked down. Instantly his proud tail dropped until it touched the ground and the tears began to flow, for his feet were large and scaly and hideous. He slunk back in the crowd, crestfallen. And to this day, the pea cock has but to hear his own voice and look down at his feet when his feathers fall and his vain-glory de- parts.
 What is your wish? ?" asked Good Fairy, singling out a tiny little bird that stood modestly on the edge of the crowd.
 TT wish," was the faltering re- ply, "to make some one happy. to have all men love me for-for something. I care not what--and to bring them 1oy.'
 Feather Your-Nest paused a mo- ment in thought and then again cast her magic spell. Instantly the little
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
A STAR FOR
 A STATE

AF course you know that each white star on our Flag represents " State of the Union. And a very pretty and effective idea it is, too; but do you know how the plan origi- mated?
 When General Washington raised his flag at Cambridge. on January End. 1776, it consisted of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, with blue canton, or field, upon which was emblazoned the English crosses of St. George and St. Andrew. But one year later Congress decided that the field be changed to thirteen white stars upon a blue background. And in 1794, when Kentucky and Vermont were admitted to the Union as States, the number of stripes were increased to fifteen and two more stars were ad- ded to the thirteen already there.
 Twenty-four years elapsed before any further change was made in the design of "Old Glory" and then Con gress, at the suggestion of Samuel c. Reid, reduced the number of stripes to the original thirteen. but decided to add a new star to the Flag on the Fourth of July immediately succeed ing the admission of each new State to the Union. And from then on, this plan has been followed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

birds bright red coat had changed to a rusty brown and he looked most in- significant.
 You have your wish." said the Good Fairy, with smile. From now on you shall be called Nightingale, And your sweet song rich and mellow and laden with wonderful love-notes shall fill the night and make 1t beau tiful. When the other songsters are deep in sleep, your notes shall ring forth beneath the stars and bring joy and love to the hearts of mankind
 But, alas, even with you there must be the bad with the good. Such Is all life. Your life shall be short and your body frail for your real strength is in your soul and your song. Other birds shall envy you and make cruel war upon you. But in the heart of man you shall be enshrined and, in deed, a sweet singer of the human race shall deem it truly an honor for people to call her nightingale.
 ''Pifle" spoke up a queer-looking, bad-tempered bird quite near to Nightingale. "I wish nothing so silly as that! If I'm to stay up all night, you just bet I wouldn't want to sing to people-Pd want to frighten 'em and then see 'em run Ha! Hal But since I'm not. then I wish that T."
 ''Wait!" commanded Good Fairy in a stern voice. You have already made your wish-and it Is granted! From now on you shall sleep by day and be awake by night. An, indeed shall you have your wish! And all through the night you shall cry aloud,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

evidently. has just as sincere venera- ton for old Glory as the boy in the moving picture show, though in a dif- ferent fashion. He was a wee mite of a shaver and, if the truth be told. not quite past the age where some boys are afraid tdAgo to sleep in the dark or. at least. not entirely satisfied that the huge black shape over in the corner of the room Is an armchair and not desperate. cruel burglar.
 Now, it happened. that one of the family's choicest possessions was a flag which the Grandfather had car ried through many battles of the Civil War. It was torn and tattered From shot and shell and stained and weath- er-beaten. Butt was a flag of tn, United States and. moreover, a fiaa that had been on the firing line. So you may be sure. the little fellow con sidered it a rare treat indeed to be allowed to feel il with his own hands every now and then.
 One night, not long ago, when the wind was blowing gale outside and the rain was pouring in torrents. the little chap found it most difficult to close his eyes and go to sleep; some how, they just seemed bent on staying wide open and staring into the dark ness to find out the cause of all those
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

streams and tarrying not until they alighted at the chosen spot. Indeed some had been on the wing for days and days; and they came struggling in, hungry and exhausted. But. final ly, all were assembled; and they grouped themselves on the greens ward in circle, in the center of which was an 6pen space where stood the Good Fairy Feather Y our-Nest.
 Now" said Good Fairy. speaking in the bird language which neither you nor I nor anyone could even hope to understand, i've are ready for the con- clave. It has come to my ears that many of you are dissatisfied with your personal appearance. Perhaps should be angry because you dare to Imagine that you know better than do what is suitable to each of you. But l am not. want all my little children to be happy. So shall grant your requests. as far as in my power lies.
 But warn you--each of you--tha l shall not be responsible for youl choice. nor will change 1t after 1t 1! once made. Come now. speak you minds freely - but remember m, warning. Once more. say, remember that nothing can be absolutely per feet in this world, and that you mus abide by the consequences of m! granting your wishes. An, Sparrow you are eager to be heard, see. Yer, well. what do you desire most? ?"
 Up spoke little Sparrow, a delicate 'brilliant-hued bird.
 'I want most to be hardy ant healthy andEand able to light othr
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

makes the Stars and Stripes in nine different sizes
 And the manufacture of a flag is an interesting process. This work is done almost entirely by women whose hands are very skillful in plying the needle First of course, are the great rolls of red and of blue and of white bunt- ing.
 These are cut up into the proper lengths and then the strips are sewn together on special machines that run by electric motors, along with the blus field. Then the stars, which are cut out of white bunting by machines, are placed in their proper places. The sewing completed, the flags are care. fully pressed so that not a wrinkle can be found in them.
 But when Uncle Sam has made ths American flags for his battleships. hs has not finished his task Each vesse in the Navy must carry the flags of al nations and a number of others fol special occasions. Indeed, ship i: not ready for sea until she has stored in her lockers two hundred and fifty five flags.
 When two vessels salute each other, you see, each displays the fiae of the otheE-so Uncle Sam's ships !. must have the flag of every nation, al ready to be run up to the masthead.
 Then there is the flag which is flowr in honor of the President of the United States. This is a very beautiful and expensive one. It consists of 6 dark blue field upon which is hand embroidered in the finest of silk ths coat-of-arms of the United States. The Secretary of thes Navy has a specia flag. and there are also ones for the Admirals, the Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals and Commodores. beside: any number of service and signal flags
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

every now and then, Hoo! Hoo-o-o! Hoot! And many people shall shud- der at your cry and be afraid; and, with your big. round eyes. you shall be able to peer through the night and see them shiver and run.
 But your 'hoot' shall also serve to remind you that once you sneered at a thing of beauty, that once you jeered at 0 song and a soul. Behold weave my magic spell about-behold, hence- forth you shall be called Owl!"
 Then up spoke small bird no larger than the Sparrow. and also brown in color. q, too," he said. wish to bring joy to mankind. know l could never sing light Nishtin- gale, of course. but surely I can in some other way make man rejoice to see me?"
 "Yes," answered Good Fairy, ives, I can cast my spell and grant your wish. Behold--I cast 1t and-see what has happened to you! Your breast is now a bright orange-red. Man can see it through the trees long way off. And he shall rejoice to see it, for you shall be the hamburger of Spring. When he beholds the red Of your breast against the dark boughs he shall know that the long Winter Is past and that Spring is at hand. And the heart of him shall be glad!
 But, alas, the bitter comes with the sweet Because of your red breast you shall be an easy target for the hunter and his gun. For man shall hunt and kill you. even though he welcome you as the forerunner of the long days. the gentle rains and the warm sun shine. Such Is life"
 And so the meeting continued with all the birds, one by one. asking and receiving their respective wishes. To tell of them all would be an endless task. Perhaps. sometime soon. you may read on this page more of the strange meeting of the birds.
 But. in the meantime. see if you can think of several birds you have seen and then figure it out for yourself what their wishes must have been on this strange occasion when the birds all met together at the direction of Good Fairy Feather Your-Nest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

isn't real, William; it's only in a nov ing picture"
 "Yes, Mamma, 1 know" the little fellow quietly replied, realizing tha. he had unwittingly stirred up a lot of attention, but even then they shouldn't let it touch the ground!"
 Just then, in the picture, a soldier was seen to snatch up the fallen ban ner and wave 1t vigorously aloft as he charged forward.
 "Hurrah! That's the stuff" shout ed the youthful spectator, forgetting his mothers admonition and jumping again to his feet and clapping his hands. "Hurrah!"
 And there's another little lad who
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

"Oh-oh!' he exclaimed presently. in a squeaky voice. "I-I-don't like it. Good Fairy, don't like it! I'm too small and dirty looking and ugly!"
 Feather Your-Nest smiled sadly and shook her head, as much as to say T told you sol" But poor little Sparrow seemed so disappointed and unhappy that she felt he was entitled to an ex- planation.
 You see, Sparrow" she said, "l have made you small and dirty brown in color in order that you may .he more easily and completely hide Tn the bushes and on the ground when
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
When the Birds All Met Toacther

birds that now peck on me and scare me half to dc ath, when they don't all but kill mel" he answered. Grant me that wish. 5ood Fairy, and I shall be happy"
 Feather our-Nest thought for a moment or two and then replied
 ''Very well, Sparrow. it shall be as you say. Stand still while l cast my spell upon you and-ah = there you are, completely changed! From now on you shall indeed be able to take care of yourself"
 There was a murmur of amazement in the ranks of the assembled birds and Sparrow looked at himself as best he could, pertly cooking his head first on this side, then on the other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

" HEN we celebrate Flag Day
 fl on June 14th each year. are NN all of us aware that the Star W Spangled Banner floating above us is not the same in ap- pearance as the one for which our ancestors fought in the Rev iolution? There are many points of similarity, of course, between the first American flag and the one of to- day, but the two are truly different. The red and white stripes were in the original flag and so were the white stars on blue field, but the flag itself would look strange indeed to our eyes.
 This first American flag was adopted by Congress on June IA. 17S0. And the story of how it was designed is an interesting one, even though you may have read it before. During the Rev olution there had been many different colonial flags, but at the close of the war 1t was felt that a flag for the whole country should be chosen. So a com Inittee was appointed to look into the matter and decide upon a suitable de- sign.
 This committee was composed of General George Washington, Frank HI, MoIrlS anu Colonel ROSS, the lat ter an uncle of the famous Betsy Ross , They were all agreed that the colors should be red. white and blue and that the white stars should be upon a blue field; but for quite a while the committee could not decide upon the grouping of the stars. It is said that the patriotic John Adams wanted them arranged like a harp; but the com mittee did not approve this design.
 Instead, they went to see Mrs. Betsy Ross, in Philadelphia who kept a store where furniture was upholstered. General Washington. so the story runs, displayed for her inspec- tion stars with six points. but the delft fingers of Betsy Ross seized piece of cloth, folded 1t and with a single snip of her scissors cut out a i've pointed star which was perfectly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

EN NCE upon a time--for every M make-believe story begins in
 that fashion - way, way back AH in the dim and distant past, there was great council of the birds. It was a most important gathering: for, as was announced throughout all the length and breadth of the land Good Fairy Feather-Y our-Nest would be there and grant each bird any kind of plumage, or any other detail ol personal appearance or any character istic he wished. And this gathering, mind you, was held long. long before the birds were dressed as they are today.
 From miles and miles around, they came. flying over woods and fields and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
qft TheF frssszt A &A
 AM'!IERIC CAN'T N'IlEE LAG

symmetrical. The committee was de- lighted and concluded to let her make a design for their inspection.
 And she arranged the stars sym metrically on the blue field. The de- sign pleased the committee and 1t pleased Congress which, however, was somewhat slow in formally adopting it. And for ten years after, Betsy Ross, with her own hands, made all of the official flags required by the new nation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

queer noises. Finally his imagination got the better of him and he called loudly for his mother.
 Why, Johnnyi" she exclaimed, "to think that you are afraid of a dark room Remember how brave your Grandfather was, and how he carried the flag when bullets were flying all around him. What do you suppose he would think of his grandson being afraid to go to sleep in the dark"
 Mamma" replied the little fellow, joyfully, If you'll bring Grandfath- CTS flag so I can put my head on it-- I-I know I won't be afraid--not even in a roomful of burglars!"
 And he wasn't
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

house. But do you know that the largest flag made by Uncle Sam meas ares thirty-six by nineteen feet, and
 .he smallest thirty-six by nineteen
 lnches-easy figures to remember. Also, the Government-at it's plant in the Brooklyn Navy Yard where all flags for the warships are made
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
A Few Facts About Flags

aNOU have seen "old Glory" many
 " times. of course, and ranging in ~ size from. the small flag you pin on your breast to the large one hat floats proudly over the school
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

'owboat by cutting out the black spQts of twins. a boy and q girl.
 1, Girls names were as follows- ba. ia. mar, as. bar. gin. an. guer. ra, ia, vir. ite. tas.
 2. Boys'' names were as follows bur. mil. ward, Q, le. ard. ton, tim. will. rich. on. ed, thy.
 3. Twins names-a. ben. tha, min. ga. ia.
 ANSWERS. Z NUMERICAL PUZZLE: Tore. Robe. Troy. Yes. Boys. Sob. Befsy Rosa. FAMILY PUZZLE: 1. MGr0Heritc BarDGrd, Virgifstd, AnGsfGsjG;; 2. Leon WJJbur, Edtodrd, RichGSd, Timothy Milton; 3. Agdth0. Benjdmtw.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

T11OE my little lads and lassies the Nations noble flag Il High above the aest steeples let 1t rdel AI For the stars and than just foolish painted - They are feedoml They loyalty and pidei For when few in number and scattered little band
 Holding against old England to b- Tree Then the Father of this country took Old do.- his hano
 And waved it in the of Gbe'y! You may buy it for penny but it's weight in god
 For we've carried it through every bitter fight; When look upon its beauty then the nations tale is told
 For it stands for Independence and for Right Through brotherhood and loyalty all victories won.
 So hoist your flag today with much adol And if you are patriotic and America own son
 You will sing ''I1urah. my flag will be truel"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
The 5tronoe
 Lookin9-Gloss

0 KNOW the stransest lookins-slas. 1I That's sunk into the ground. ELI And little buds and blades of sras . Caress it all around. And down within, see my face.
 And all the lovely sky; And fluffy clouds that look like>lace.
 Go swiftly rolling by. It's full of everything that's queer
 Just like picture book; But oh, must not tease you dear
 It's ju,t little brook!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

~ man m rOWpOdl'
 See if you can find the man In and fitting them together.
 NUMERICAL PUZZLE. l am composed of nine letters. My s. 2. 6. 2 is word meaning of old time. F My 6. T, 1, 2 is loose dress. i. My 8. 6, z. is city of the United States
 My s, 9, is a word that affirms. Ny 1. [, 5, 4 Is the name of male children.
 My 8, z, 1 is a convulsive sigh. My whole Is the name of char acter closely associated with Flag Day.
 FAMILY PUZzLE. 4 man had family of twelve chill dren-four girls. six boys and one ret
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-19
BROKERS WATCH LEGISLATION.
Real Estate Board Approves and
DisapprOvcs of Many Measures.

At the monthly meeting Of the board
Of governors of the real estate board OF
New York. held last week. resolutions
were adopted and forwarded to Mayor
Mitchell stating the boards attitude on
IA number OF questions affecting public
improvements. upon which hearings
were held this week. The membership
Of the board was also enlarged by the
addition of thirty-three new members
taken In since the last monthly meet
ing of the hoard of governors.
One of the measures indorsed was the
bill limiting the height of buildings.
This plan has always had the support
Of the board and its attitude was re-
Elected in recent report by its heights
Of buildings committee. a resolution
Of Endorsement was forwarded to Mayor
Mitchell prior to the hearing on the bill
permitting the Board of Estimate to ac-
quire land by excess condemnation.
The Pollock bill for a market COM
mission was opposed by resolution, sent
to the Mayor. on the ground that the
public was insufticlently enlightened on
the details of the scheme and for other
reasons. This bill the Mayor has since
vetoed. A resolution was also forwarded
to the Mayor opposing the giving Of
drastic powers over fire escapes TO the
Fire Commissioner, and transferring to
him the powers Of the fire explosive
commission and a resolution opposing
the bill permitting the teachers perma-
nent pension fund to he depicted for
current needs.
Other school bills heard before the
Mayor granting salary increases 10
teachers were opposed by President
Laurence VI. d, MCGUIRE and f.. a.
Tredwell and were subsequently vetoed
by the Mayor. The board also accepted
the report of its committee on civic cen-
tire. Its report was a qualified indorse-
ment of the plan. with the suggestion
that the question of total expense be
carefully scrutinized. The report en-
phasized the necessity Of proper sound
ings before the work of constructing
the new court house is begun.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-19
OWNS 49, 900 IN REALTY.
Prudential COmpany's IIoidings In
Newark valued At This Figure.

NEWARK, n. j., April ls-Property
owned by the Prudential Insurance
Company In the vicinity Of Broad and
Market streets was valued a. sla63sl22,
or 81, 100000 more than the company
figured II on It's own books, by Henry
McAlpin. an inspector OF the State De-
partment Of Banking and Insurance.
Mr.. McAlpln gave his estimates before
the appraisal commission which Is seek
ing the value OF the company's assets
I'm the process OF naturalization. The
witness testified that the company car
ried the same property he valued at over
SIS. 900 900 on Its books at Ns,l56,-
l74O2. He valued the Prudential group
at si84S9.772 and other real estate not
occupied by the company at $3,lss,350,
Mr.. McAlpin valued the main building
at 761 tn 100 Broad street at s3,+0i,GIi,
the building at 2s Bank street at s2,-
FOG a02 the north building and north
building addition at ss,loi,462. west
building at ssi5,09s, northwest building
at S9lO,7ll. and other buildings in the I'M
mediate vicinity OF the same group, but
not occupied By tho company. at $a-
1895