davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

That really this show is very fine one"
So Fred quickly said, Thank you much, we will
And I'm sure we'll enjoy all this musical show
So Dora soon brought big Chariot nice,
That pulled right along by hundred white MICE
And she drove all the mice with the sound Of her WHIP
Which she snapped in the air with flippity flip
Then they through the city and out of the gate
Just dashing away at very fast rate
Till they came to forest all bushy and green
Where there wasn't road or street to be seen. .
So Dora now tied the white mice to tree y
For they now had to walk as you clearly can sec M
So Dora and Fred walked along right ahead "a
And short way behind them came Alice and Ned
Then they walked through the woods till they to
And way up in the branches town they could see;
So they climbed up ladder all made out of vines
That were all tied together in very straight lines
And high up in the tops Of the trees was the town.
Where the Squirrels all lived in their houses of brown
And these Squirrels were dressed In bright yellow and
green
And their hats the best that you have
Now, both Dora and Alice knew all of them here
And they brought them nuts which certainly
For these nuts tasted fine and were big as your hand!
Well of course. there streets there in the
trees
And the boys and the girls walked around with great
But they came very soon to a house very long
Where they heard some one singing very loud song
And they knew that the concert at the start
And they'd better fast If they'd hear the first part
So they up the steps there with very fast feet
And they went in the and they took front seat
And there on the stage was a big Kangaroo
Who was singing song that was funny and new
And I'll now give the words Of this right to
THE SONG OF THE CLEAN KANGAROO.
Oh. Kangaroo you all plainly
And say that 1t is true I'm as smart as can be,
For keep my teeth all clean in very clever way
For little bird that's green comes to three times
day.
And his bin will fail then to clean my teeth all
And he his long tail just to polish them up bright
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22
! aas,&9Z[ : IzS lbs
Ole Musical Animals

Oh, am Kangaroo you all plainly
And I'll tell you 1t is true I'm smart as can be-
my home is full of dust and want It to be clean
To the Elephant trust and it clearly can be seen
When he his trunk around and he strongly
blows
Then the dust found very quickly goes!
Oh, a Kangaroo as you all can plainly
And I'll tell you 1t is true I'm smart as can be-
For do washing fine and have the ceanest Clothes
For take long clothesline and fasten all of those
To the tail of whale and he swims around the sea
And he brings my clothes all back just clean they
be!
Fred and Ned the girls liked this Kangaroo's song
And they capped loud and they capped very long
Then right after the song of the Clean Kangaroo,
There out the stage something funny and new
Which was simply a lot Of the biggest Balloons,
Who had cocoanut shells that would make funny tunes
pound;
Some shells were like whistles that queer sound
So you see these Balloons had very queer band
there In the Of this queer Squirrel land
Then Elephants strong with their trunks big and
long
Played horns which they blew with such force that
the sound
Could be heard through the forest for all around
Then, Ostrich. an Eagle Swan and Hawk
Sang song that mostly squeak and a sQuawk!
Then Squirrel out with nuts that were there
And he tossed them around very fast in the air.
So fast that you hardly could see them at all,
Though these nuts were as big great big baseball
When the show all the boys capped
And then with the girls they walked out of the door
And they climbed down the ladder and to the
ground
And they walked through the they very
found
Where their chariot and their hundred white MICE
For of course. they tied to that tree very nice
Then they rode very fast and they darted away
And they came to the palace again that same day;
And they stayed there hour in this beautiful palace
Where they played with the toys Of young Dora and
But after a while Neddy said to his brother,
II am going back home for want to see mother
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

Mamma wren and the Papa wren flew
about gathering bits of food for their
babies to eat. And as they returned
to the nest. the little feathered guests
would open wide their mouths to take
the food from their parents.
For many days the children found
much pleasure in watching the birds;
and they were particularly interested
in seeing the old birds teaching the
little ones to fly.
And then, one morning, to their
dismay, they found the house empty!
All the birds had gone-and they
came back no more.
Papa explained that they had flown
many miles away to a warmer cline.
but that next year they, or other
birds would come back and be pleased
to occupy the house again. So he
took it down out of the tree.
A while later Helen picked up the
little house and gazed at it sadly.
Jamie. too felt very sad, and he
reached out his tiny hand and patted
1t lovingly.
! Just to think, jamie" said Helen,
they didn't even say Goodbye or
tell US they enjoyed our hospitality.
They were very rude guests. don't you
think? But-but I loved them-and
l wish they'd come back-don't you.
Jamie?"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

even a "nibble.' Perhaps something
was the matter with the bait; so he
pulled in his line and put on a fresh
worm.
The sun was hot and, 1t seemed.
,the longer he sat there the hotter 1t
became. He felt drowsy and present.
ily his eyes closed and he began to
,nod-nod-nod.
Suddenly he sat bolt upright-some-
thing was nibbling at his hook! He
could feel the slight jerky pulls on
his line plainly. His impulse was to
yanlS his line out of the water with
a sudden mighty pull; but he forced
himself to remember his Papa's in
structions
Then, presently, came the long,
steady pull--meaning that the fish had
taken the bait and was trying to run
with it," And then Bobbie gave a
quick upward jerk on his pole-to
hook Mr. Fish-and lifted 1t steadily.
The waters parted and--Bobbie all
but dropped his pole overheard.
For, dangling from the other end
of the line wasn't fish at all-but
wriggling, squirming-snake,
"Gee--ee-ee!" gasped Bobbie.
But he chung to his fishing pole
and. feeling mighty anxious and al
most scared, he started back to camp
on the run, holding the pole well out
in front Of him so that IL Mr.. Snake
should happen to wriggle off the hook
and drop to the ground Bobbie would
have chance to dodge him.
Look! Look what caught-a
snakel" he shouted, rushing into the
camp where Papa was lying in a ham,
mock reading. TITS a snake! A
snake!"
But Papa wasn't in the least fright
:ened. On the contrary he laughed
"Why, Bobbie, he said, that isn't q
isnake-it's an eel.'
And then he explained the difference
and showed Bobbie how to take an
eel off hook, yet keep him from
'tangling the line-a difficult task. But
Bobbie hoped he would catch no more
eels-they looked too much like
snakes to suit him!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22
A Soldiers Death and Funeral
Life is mostly froth and bubble;
Two things stand like stone
Kindness in another's trouble

Life Is mostly froth and bubble;
Two things stand like stone
Kindness in another's trouble
Courage in your own"
"YOUNG South African poet wrote
those words-and they were cho-
J sen out of all literature to be
inscribed on a great soldiers tomb
stone, Major General Hubert Ion
Hamilton, killed in action in France,
was much beloved for his kindness
to his troops and was noted among
brave men for his courage. A shell
burst In the trenches about a hundred
yards from where he was standing and
he was hit on the temple by a bullet
and killed instantly. No one else was
touched. ut was fine DEATH" said
one who was with him, but l know
how he would feel that he was taken
before his work was done. He was
doing SO splendidly that it was cruel
luck that he should have been the only
one marked for death out of that
group"
The fire was SO hot that all day his
men could not get near the place
where his body was lying, but at dusk
they went out and carried him to a
little church near at hand. Just as
they got there the attack began again
violently. so that the sorrowing men
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

r. n the very back part OF a garden.
there was a sunflower patch In
which grew sunfiowers of all
Il sizes. Big ones and little ones
and such good time as they did
have together.
!; One day the littlest sunfiower was
looking around the garden and he
happened to notice tree close by.
Look at that beautiful big tree
over there" he exclaimed. how tall
and straight 1t Isl mean to grow
just as tall as 1t isl"
There's no use in your trying to
be that big" said a nearby sunfiower,
<for we never grow as big as trees"
I'm going to- said the sunfiower
determinedly. 'you see II l dontl"
So he set to work. He dreamed about
the tree. he thought about the tree;
he no longer played with the sun
beams; he had nothing to do with the
raindrops.
Now It's all very we'll to want some
thing 80 much that you work for II
all the time. But working and think
ing are two different things--as the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22
TX Sunflower Sentinel

sthe more he thought the less he grew
Before he had noticed the tree. he had
been growing very fast. but now when
he tried so hard. he didn't grow an
inch--not an inch! He was so cross
about It! The sunbeams didn't try
to talk to him any more. he was so
rude to theml The raindrops passed
him by without a murmur; the birds
and tho fairies learned TO say nothing
to him. But still he didn't grow.
Then one day. he suddenly saw bow
foolish he was why I'm not hav-
Ing as good a time living as l used
to-" he said to himself. IT don't
believe growing as big as a tree Is
nearly as much fun as | thought 1t
would be. l think I'll just stop try
Ing and have some fun"
So he stopped thinking about grow
ling and had chat with his friends,
Athe birds. 1T seems very nice to
see you again. he said by way of be-
ginning, why haven't you been
saround here lately?"
| Now the birds had been around
@there often, but he hadn't noticed
them. But they were too polite to
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

remind him of that. They just began
talking to him as If nothing had been
the matter and they all had Jolly.
time together.
When the birds went to their nests
that evening Just before shutdown, one
bird said to a passing sunbeam, IT
wish you would go and talk to my
friend, the sunfiower. l am sure he
will be very glad to see you."
Indeed 1 Will not" declared the
sunbeam. hes been so cross and
horrid. I don't care to go near him
thank you!"
"Oh. I know he was" said the
bird" but he Is changed now. Please
go and see him."
So bright and early the next morn
ing the sunbeam made a call on tho
sunfiower. And found him SO cordial
and cheerful that he stayed the whole
day long and played around his leaves
and buds. Just before he went to
sleep, the sunbeam said to some rain
drops way up in the highest clouds,
az you happen to be down on earth
any time, please go and see our friend
the sunfiower."
& Indeed we will not" exclaimed the
raindrops. "the last time we were on
earth we tried to talk to him, and
he was so cross and horrid we re-
solved never to bother him again"
"Oh. but he Is changed now" an
swered the sunbeam. you'll find him
very good company"
Now that very night, the raindrops
paid visit to earth and they stopped
by the sunflower. He was so polite
to them, so pleasant and happy, that
they stayed with him a long time;
they watered his roots and refreshed
his stems.
And SO the days went by.
After some weeks the sunfiower re-
marked to another sunfiower. I'm SO
glad 1 stopped growing like that tree
I've had so much better time since
then. I've made fine friends and been
SO happy-growing isn't so important
after ALL"
The other sunfiower laughed. Since
you stopped growing" he exclaimed,
why you grow more than any plant
in the gardenl You're the tallest Of
US all
Then. for the first time In weeks.
the sunfiower noticed himself True
ltlest. but the biggest sunfiower In the
whole yard. He stood straight and
tall like sentinel guarding the whole
garden.
IT surely am surprised" he ex-
claimed. when I wanted to grow,
II couldn't. When / stopped thinking
OF myself and enjoyed my friends.
grew"
i you needn't be surprised at that"
said passing sunbeam, FOR that Is
the way life Is all the time. As long
as you think only about yourself, you
never grow. Stop thinking you are
important. and up you go! It's very
plain to me. but some folks never md
1t out!"
I'm glad did," said the sentinel
sunhower. land now for a frolic."
SO tho big sunfiower and the tiny
sunbeams and the little raindrops had
their playtiHe and the sunnower grew
some more. 4.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

little sunfiower soon discovered! Aft
er two days of thinking and wishing
Me found that he had not grown an
inch!
This will never dol" he said to
himself. II will have to try other
means to grow"
Let me help you" said soft lit
tie voice at his side.
your" questioned the sunfiower.
who are you and what can you do 2"
Pm a sunbeam" replied the voice.
land I'll be glad to help you grow"
Much help you would be to met
cried the sunfiower scornfully, you're
lonly a tiny sunbeam. mean to be
tall and grand. You so tiny could
never help mel" and he turned his
back on the sunbeam.
Towards evening, a voice said to
the sunflower, seems to me you are
not growing very fast; can / help
your"
Your" asked the sunfiower cross
ly, who are your"
I'm a raindrop." answered the
voice pleasantly. "1'll be glad to help
you"
We'll you needn't think that so I'M
important a thing as a raindrop can
be Of any use to me-" said the sun
flower rudely, II intend to grow as
big as that tree over there. I have
no time to bother with little things
like your
So the raindrop went on about 9TH
er business and didn't stay with the
sunfower as he had planned to.
All the evening all the night, the
sunflower stayed alone. All the next
day, and the next. he would speak to
no one. he would think of nothing but
his growing. And. wasn't it queer,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

stand what Papa meant.
do you mean, Papa, that If we
put this cunning little house in the
tree some birds will come and live in
it?"
"ExActly-exactly!" answered Papa
in that half-serious, half-jolly tone he
used 20 much.
"Oh. goody-goody." cried little
jamie. clapping his hands. He I'M
derstood now-and liked 1t.
So Papa took the box out to the
yard and, while they watched anxious
ly, put 1t in place in the tree.
The next morning both children
were up bright and early to see what
manner of feathered guests had ac-
cepted their invitation to build a nest
and make themselves at home.
4 But. alas. the house was empty
And again on the next morning
and the next-and the next. Poor
Helen and Jamie were almost in
tears.
"Oh, Papa" she walled. do you
really think they will come! Perhaps
they don't-don't like the color of the
house. 1 think myself it would be
prettier painted white than red"
EaQS ldQS neu anu pdllcu neT on
the head and assured her that the
birds would come.
And they did, too-the very next
morning.! And, goodness me, what
excitement there was around the old
maple tree! The birds-there were
two Of them-were busily gathering
sticks and twigs and grasses and
building themselves a nest. within the
house. Helen and Jamie spent nearly
the whole day watching them.
Then. day followed day rapidly. but
the children did not lose interest in
their 1eathered guests. On the con-
trary they seemed to become more in
terestd each day. Morning and even
ing they scattered crumbs on the
i.ground around the tree and, present
ly. the birds would fly down and feed.
Suddenly, one morning, little Jamie
came running into the house, his eyes
wide with excitement
Brides! Lots of little birdies"
he shouted, pointing to the tree.
Helen rushed out and, sure enough,
there we're fve instead of two birds
in the nest in the house. Papa came.
I. too, to look, and he explained that
the new arrivals had just been Matched
out.
What strange looking things they
were-all mouth, it seemed. The
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

Observation-Disclosures
I The Raj eigh.
l 1.-The
Smith
Of the magnetic Morse.
saved the wentyuie
he battle?
of the Mountain
seeps?-Anthony
A.. Smith.
Nations elder
in Ameica njamn
DE
The wizard ?'Thomas
Ice Cary
Who said 60 West
Father New lie
Inn
BIO
ng.s
The builder Of the Brooklyn Notwithstanding
The Indians Penn t
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

cast his line into the stream. Then
he waited.
Would he catch a fish? Oh, would
he? Just suppose he would have to.
return to camp without any! Good
ness, but wouldn't his Papa and
Mamma tease him.
But no, he felt certain that wouldn't
happen. Why, Papa had said the
river was "alive" with ashland sure
ly. thought Bobbie. at least one OF
them would be obliging enough to
come and get himself caught on the
hook.
He sat very still and waited PATIENT
ly. But there was no bite" not
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

From the Giants big town. Fred and Ned walked away
And they came very early that very day
To place that large and was lovely and bright
Where the people were handsome and very polite
And they walked through the beautiful palace,
Where they found two good friends who Dora and
Alice.
And the girls quickly said, I'VE glad to you
For there's something real nice that we're going
do;
We going right to a musical show
Where the people will sing and the horns will all blow
It's concert that's fun and you'll find when its done
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22
Little Stories of the Great War

could not hear the chaplain's voice
because of the musketry and POM
pom fire close by Every now and
then flash from the guns would light.
up the half dark interior of the
church, for there was no other H.
Elimination than a tiny torch for the
chaplain to see to read by. And there
is little picture for you Of soldiers
death and funeral.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22
Feathered Guests

OW," said Papa. here's a little
birds house 1 bought in town
today and, children, I'm quite
i - sure that if you will put it in
the branches of the old maple tree in
the yard you'll have feathered guest
or two"
Helen looked puzzled. And as for
little jamie. well-he was such a lit
tie shaver that he didn't quite under
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22
A Surprise

HEN Bobbie learned that his
Papa and Mamma were to
spend their vacation this
+" summer camping out on the
banks of a certain big, broad river,
he was delighted. And, of all the
many joys that lay before him, he
looked forward most to fishing-more
than he did to living in tents. cooking
bacon over a camp fire, and even more
than to going in swimming.
So, on the very first day after the
tents had been set up and things made
ship-shape, Bobbie dug enough worms
to fill tin can, seized his bamboo
fishing pole and went down to the
small boat landing to TRY his luck. !"
He sat down on one side of the
landing, letting his bare feet dangle
over the water, baited his hook and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

DIAGONAL.
II the following are written one be-
low another. their diagonal letters,
beginning at the upper left corner
and ending at the lower right corner.
will spell the name of a precious
stone.
I. A tree.
:. To grasp suddenly.
3. To dry or scorch.
Z. A girls name.
:. A building for the entertainment
Of travellers.
HIDDEN FRUITS.
Poor Philip numbered up the hill
with huge bundle Of wood.
The little sick boy. David. ate Z;
hearty neal today.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

4 Raphael liked most to paint Ma
ldonnas or angels.
If you must take nap. please don't
sleep all day.
The king placed under the ban an
alien people.
The Astors have ample money in
bank for their posterity
Boys. get up early in the morning
and you will prosper.
The puff l gave the feather sent it
bkyward.
ANSWERS.
ANSWERS TO HIDDEN FRUITS:
Plum, D0te, Orange, Apple, Banana,
Lemon, Pear, Fig.
DIAG0NAL: Beryl-1. Birch. 2,
Eetse. 3. PGrch. 4. Sibyl. s. Hotel.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

So we'd better start for its very far down
And want get back to my own little town"
So they both said Goodbye to Dora and Alice
they said they'd had fun at the show and the palace
Then the girls gave the boys big magical sled
That could easily hold both the boys Fred and Ned
This queer sled could slide down from the far stars
And the boys started off from the call Mars
And they slid and they slid and they slid far down
That they landed at last In their little town;
So they with fast feet far along down the street
And into the house rushed Fred and his brother
And they right up stairs to their dear, darling
mother .
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-11
tBy Elbcrt Iiubbnrd.o

Out of the nultitudes of recipes for
ready relief from war comes there one
that has in it a goodly grain OF COM
mon sense.
All OF the suggestions are all right,
save that they won't work. Perhaps
this ono will.
Here is the proposition: let the nine
great powers Of the world agree to re-
ducc their standing armies to a certain
unit per capita. say 10 that which the
United states now possesses.
Then have it agreed that no nation is
20 declare war OH another, save on u
majority vote Of all of the people, and
this means of the mon and women.
We arc all agreed now thai women
are quite as much interested in good
government as men.
II women shall be allowed to vote at
school election she shall also be al
lowed 20 vote at Il war election
This plan OF not declaring war until
the people elect has several things 10
recommend it,
FirSt II secures 81 very desrah do
lay. II two mon arc IN u lighting mood
and they are compelled to wait until the
next dag and think it over i'm the mean
.timc the probabilities are that they
will change their minds on the subject.
The wrath oC nations Is not unlike
that of individuals.
IL any set OF mon in country are
vc"y anxious for war let them organize
political party and institute refer
endum. leaving 1t to the people TO vOt.
upon.
Any country where few men. or n
fcw hundred, can declare war Is not n
democracy.
When var is declared by these few
men 1t will be noted that they always
declare martial law Immediately.
This martial law allows quick armed
Interference to replace the orderly pro-
cedurc of the courts.
Thus we have an unlimited monarchy.
with the people subducd, for there is no
such thing as free speech and IL FREQ
press where martial law prevails.
IL there are rapid firing guns trained
on the avenues there is no danger Of
any public hnrangues in the street or
the subject Of oitEer war or peace?
Criticism OF political policies is for
biddon when martial law comes in. The
only thing TO do is TO move. with tho
mass, and any man of lighting age who
does not take up the muskct that is
handed him and present arms is Il good .
ly target for the firing squad.
Officers with automatic rcvolvers are
behind the firing squad
To-day il will be noted that officers
do not lead the charge. They arc be-
hind. And. what Is more, most of the
fghting is done In nlasscd formation
This for the reason that men in ma ssed
formation can be controlled by those
who arc behind them--thcy cannot run
away. There is no such thing as a
break and stampede.
When war is once declared every
man from eighteen to fifty is regarded
as cannon fodder. He is caught in the