davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

potatoes" his mother answered.
How funny! Please tell me all
about them"
We'll. the nut is planted in the
ground"
Jamie interrupted.
Those have been roasted. and
would not grow. Jamie. The heat that
roasted them killed the little life-germ
In them that makes them grow. So
your peanut would not take root.
"a peanut, then, that has not been
roasted is planted in nice. warm soil.
They grow best where there is lots
of sand mixed in with the earth. Pref
ty soon the nut bursts open and tiny
white shoots come out from 1t and
poke their heads through the ground.
Then they turn green"
What makes them turn greene"
Jamie wanted to know.
THE light" replied his mother. at
makes a green coloring matter in the
young plant. Well, after a while. lit
tie round shaped leaves begin to form
and pretty soon there is tender green
peanut plant. Then the flowers come
but they bloom along the stems
of the plant, instead of on the top
Then, when the petals drop off, the
part that is left does a strange thing
What does it do?" asked Jamie
excitedly.
Each little part that is left-called
an ovary-pokes its head down into
the ground and hides itself"
What for?"
Because 1t wants to make a pea.
nut, and that is the way that Goo
has willed that peanuts should be
made. If the ovary cannot get into
the ground. it just withers up and
dies, for it can not make a peanu
on the top of the ground.
There are dozens of flowers on each
peanut plant, and each one of then
makes a peanut. So that under th'
ground is a big bunch of peanuts
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
70 About Peanuts

= AMIE had been TO the circus. and
had seen the elephants and the
monkeys, and the horses with
bareback riders. and lots of little
,,lck dogs and ponies. OF course his
father had bought him a bag of pea
nuts. all warm and snappy, and oh.
so good, But Jamie was so busy
watching things that he forgot to eat
his peanuts. so of course he had
whole lot left.
He was home now with mother,
talking over the wonders of the night
before. and enjoying the rest of his
peanuts. When they had talked and
laughed about everything, from ;he
trained seals to the funny clowns,
jamie looked into the peanut bag.
which was almost empty now. ana
said. thoughtfulIy, Peanuts! Now
mother, Ia like to know where these
peanuts come FROM"
So his mother said. Peanuts. jamie
grow in warm countries.
Like Cocoa?" Jamie asked, remem-
bcrinE the story about cocoa.
They do not have to have as warm
place 10 grow as cocoa trees. Pea
nuts grow in the warm parts OF this
and other countries. where ii does not
get very cold at any time. for the
plants are tender. and Jack Frost nips
them very easily"
DO they grow on trees, like wal
nuts?" Jamie asked.
NO. they grow in the ground. like
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

close as they could get, and were fast
asleep long before the older members
of the crow colony had settled down
for the night. He was one of the
largest one of all his brothers and sis
tiers, and the reason he outgrew the
others was because when youngster,
he got more than his share of what
his mother brought for them to eat;
and, the way he got more to eat, was
simply this-when one of his small
brothers or sisters shut its eyes and
opened its mouth, Inkspot would push
the little ones head aside and open
his mouth in its place.
So he waved strong and lusty-au
the while the mother crow was Won
dering why in the world the other
children had such a pinched. starved
look. Inkspot was always getting into
trouble. One day, when he was about
two weeks old, just as he was begin
ming TO cut his tail feathers, he leaned
a little too far over the side of the
nest, to see what that old Bluejay was
talking so loud about. lost his balance,
and over he went.
three feet below the nest 1t seemed
to him he fell at least mile before
he brought up suddenly on the rough
pinebark His claws were not strong
enough to grasp the limb, so he sat.
just as he had fallen, looking for all
the world like ten cents worth of dark
red steak, stuck full of short, blue
black matches
He was afraid to move, for fear he
would slide off into space, and the
world below looked to him as if 1t
were hundreds and hundreds of miles
away. So, painting and gasping, he
rode his branch until his mother came
home with small, wriggling field
mouse, in her beak.
Five little black crow babies looked
just like six little black crow babies to
/ her, so she didn't sense that one was
missing at all. A weak little squak
/ from the hapless youngster caused his
mother to fall backwards, from her
perch, in her frantic haste to reach
her darling. She lowered right below
him and told him in her hoarse, dis
cordant way, to slide. He slipped
J right OIL On ueE SlIOHSs X,
Soaring and sailing, she paused just
above the nest, and, brisk shake,
landed him-kerplunk! right on top
of his smallest sister! He didn't pre-
tend to move, but sat there, and
opened his mouth and waited for the
next field mouse his mother might
bring.
Black quill feathers began to take
the place of scattering, yellow down,
and 1t was not many weeks before he
was strong enough to follow the flock,
as they went changing away, In long
black, struggling line to some nearby
cornfield. He soon learned how to
pull up the young corn and was vastly
pleased to find the fat, white, seed
grain at the end of the roots. One
day, when they all were having the
best sort of a time down IN the corn
field, the old sentinel crow, who was
posted on the tiptop Of tall pine
gave warning cry as he fell off back
wards.
Righting himself he tapped away
towards the great woods by the river
The other crows instantly lost all in
terest in corn. and other things edi.
BILE, and followed heller, SHELTER in the
wake of their leader. Inkspot, saw
nothing alarming in the long, quiet
rows of sprouting corn, and he. cast a
glance of pity, mingled with contempt
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

they had picking them from the
smaller tree. But although the chill
dren used to come to the cherry tree
the most, it was not happy for 1t saw
the oak. which it loved dearly. leaning
farther and farther away from 1t
every day and although the cherry
tree leaned the same way it never
grew any nearer. And SO the little
cherry tree was sad.
One day it saw through the leaves
some plum trees on the other side of
the oak. 1T must be that the oak
thinks more of the plum trees than
1t does of me-" it told the gardener
Won't you fix it so that some plums
will grow on me? l would be happy
If l only had one plum" 1t said So
the kind-hearted gardener took some
wood from the plum trees and fast
ened 1t to the cherry tree with wax
and the next year 1t had plums as well
as cherries.
Still the oak tree leaned farther
away.
AAch ohe udS tle llttle cnerry tree
heard the oak ask the gardener If he
would make roses grow on its
branches. The gardener said he could
not and the little cherry tree was sad.
for 1t thought the oak wanted to be
pretty for the plum trees.
Il can stand 1t no longer" cried
the cherry tree. II think | will die -
But the gardener who came past only
laughed at the little tree for its fool
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
INKSPOT


der, and stuck his bill in the egg Just
then something h appen d that
changed the whole course of his life
The curious coop-like concern fell
when he touched the egg. and there he
was. caught in one of the very traps
his mother used to warn him against!
And, he remembered how he used to
Caw-Caw-and laugh at her fears!
While he was calling himself all kinds
of crow names for being such a heed
less fool-a boy came running to the
trap. Inkspot nearly had a fit, he was
so frightened! He had, never, in all
his life, been SO near to one of these
horrid humans! But, instead of kill
ing him, the boy carried him to the
house and put him in an old hooking
bird cage that hung on the back porch.
From now on he had more than he
could eat-but his heart was ever over
in the pine grove where the crow COL
ony changed home in long black lines
to roost when the afterglow of the
sunset gave splash of red to the bark
on the western sides of the tree
| trunks.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

tell me, what they do after the pea
nuts are dried in the field? Aren't
they dirty"
Yes" mother replied. THE pea
nuts are picked off the vines-some-
times women and children do it, and
sometimes it is done by machinery.
Then the dirt is all knocked off by a
big machine, and the peanuts are
packed in 100-pound bags and shipped
to the market. But they are raw, you
know. The peanut men have roasters
to roast the peanuts in
"Oh, yes." Jamie cried. ct have
seen them lots of times! Let me go
on with the story" he begged.
"All right" smiled mother.
We'll, the peanut man roasts the
peanuts and puts them into nice paper
bags, and little boys and girls smell
how good they are and ask their ia
theirs or mothers for a nickel, and
they buy the little bags Of hot, roasted
peanuts. and eat them right up!"
! jamie clapped his hands. THAT
story was almost as good as the cir
GUS" he declared.
"Oh, I'd like to see a field Of pea
nuts" jamie cried.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

growing and growing"
How long does it take for them to
get ripe" Jamie asked
Not very long. From the time the
peanut seed is planted until they are
ready TO harvest takes only few
months. Then. before it gets cold. the
peanuts are plowed up out of the
ground and in few hours are stacked
up in the fields in big piles-some-
thing like shocks of wheat-and al
lowed to dry"
oh, Ia like to see a field of pea
nuts." Jamie cried. Wouldn't it be
niCe?"
Il forgot TO tell you that if the pea
nuts are grown in light-colored soil
they will be light, and if they are
grown in dark soil the shells will
be dark"
"Oh, how FUNNY" Jamie said. look
ing at one of his nuts. Il guess these
were grown in light-coIored SOIL then,
for they are light"
Yes" mother continued, 1.-The light
colored peanuts bring the best prices
But mother, why do you call them
peanuts" asked Jamie.
Because they resemble a pea in
several ways. Jamie. Some people,
over the seas i'll Europe, call them
ground nuts or earth nuts"
Because they grow in the ground!"
Jamie announced.
Yes. but we call them peanuts be-
cause the plants look something like
a pea vine, and because the nut itself
is shaped something like a pea. but
mostly because the nut contains a
good many of the things that pea
does Some people feed them to hogs
to fatten them, and they make fine
food, too"
Those are lucky hogs" Jamie said
munching nice brown peanut. But
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
SOMETIMES.

nickels don't com
w plentiful
And papa seems to frown.
And people say that times are hard
Most all about the town.
Its then that | get wishing so
That l was born a queen
With diamond buckles on my shoes
The finest ever seen.
But queens are never really gay
In fact I'm sure they cry,
And so kiss my mother quick
So glad that I'm just |!
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
9OURPUZZLE
i COPNER
FIVE-LETTER BELETONS.

delete a letter from musical
instrument and leave a part of a
feather; Delete a letter from an al
10y and find fish; 3-Delete a letter
from a small animal and find to think
deeply; 4-Delete letter from boys
name and find brushes.
A FLORAL ACROSTIC.
NY first is a white flower spelt with
letters.
Ny second is a flower Of many col
ors speIt with letters.
My third is a modest flower spelt
with letters.
My fourth is a Chinese flower spelt
with letters.
My fifth is q yellow flower spelt with
8 letters.
The first letters of each of these
flowers spell the name of Biblical
King.
ANSWERS.
FIVE-LETTER DE LIE ITO N s.:
Flate-Flue; Brdss-bdsS; Mouse
muse; JdmeS-5dms.
FLORAL ACROSTIC: Daisy, Asfer,
Violet. Iris. Ddndeli0n. Ddptd.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

L found her under a snowdrift deep;
caught her out of the arm of sleep,
The fair little tranger-Spring.
Are not these lines beautiful? The
comparisons are perfect. The Year
in its youth and vigor; the Spring a
little baby stranger. awakening from
under u snowdrift, come to claim its
place in the world.
Who would not make way for the
Spring! For who does not love this
season, with its buds and flowers and
birds? Sad, indeed, must be that heart
which does not echo the notes of the
warblers or reflect the glories of the
spring beauties!
| have often thought that the new
year should begin at Easter instead Of
in January, for Easter means Spring
ing into life," and all the earth Is new
and young and happy. 1t seems TO me
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

trees and even yourself lean as you
do. That always happens where the
wind blows one way.
Il wanted to try and please you by
making plums grow on your branches.
can make some fruits grow on diff
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

" HERE was one time bat.
who, a real acrobat.
Would remain through the
day in the attic.
Where he hung by his toes, looking
down at his nose
With an eye that was not astig-
matte.
AT times he would doze as he hung
by his toes.
On a night, going out for his flying
about.
He came to rest under an easel;
And. being quite slow on the ground
as you know.
He was quietly caught by a weasel
No time for a thought all he found
himself caught.
Now helpless. ensnared. he begged to
be spared.
Said the weasel. Il kill every bird. :"
I'm no bird but mouse. and | live
in a house.
Every day. will give you my
word;
| have wings" said the Bat, to es-
cape from the cat.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
WALKING STICKS.

77nALk1NG sticks have been used
AL by men from Bible times down
w to the present age. These have
come in all varieties from the plain
staff to the gold and silver mounted
ones according to the fancies and Gus
toms of the age.
When, in 1900. footmen attending
gentlemen were forbidden to carry
swords, these dangerous weapons were
usually replaced by a staff with large
silver handle. This was called Por-
ter's Staff. Some thirty years later gen.
tlemen began to discard their swords
and to carry large oak sticks with
thick knobs, wherein were carved ugly
faces. Before long a competition
arose between long and short walking
sticks. A writer of that time de-
scribes the long ones as "leaping
poles" while others preferred yard
of vanished cane. This latter is still
in vogue, ornamented to suit the taste
of the wearer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

So. being released instead of deceased,
Imagine, again In a tree,
He was caught by another. the wea:els
own brother
Who said. I'm the foe to all
mice.
(Remember that weasels are catching
as measles).
Now the bat had his wits in available
bits,
And replied without batting an !,
eye: &
Il am no more mouse than a wren
or a grouse:
Whoever knew mouses to hy2
With wings. not with talk. escape
from the hawk" &
According to rules pedagogic g
Again he escaped by his logic.
4 x
We're not out of way. perhaps whe
we say
OF this acrobat bat of the attic;
That whatever he claims to be, he W.
not. or aimed to be,
He certainly was diplomatic. n
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
THE OAK AND THE CHERRY TREE

ferent trees, but the fruits must be
very much alike. | cannot make roses
grow on an oak tree no matter how
hard 1 try. One of the things L surely
cannot do is to make the wind blow
anywhere but where it wants to blow.
But you can grow and. bye and bye,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

ishness. Don't you see that the wind,
one way here?" he asked
II never thought of that" said the
little cherry tree.
We'll, it does" he explained. And
that makes the oak and the plum
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

your leaves will touch the oak and
you will be very happy again." Then
you don't think / will die of love?"
sighed the little cherry tree.
II never knew of tree that did"
laughed the gardener.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

ST how they came to be planted
there nobody knew, but the great
oak and the cherry tree stood
side by side and the little chill
iren used to sit in the shade and make
little cups out of the acorns. And
when the cherries were ripe, what fun
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

ct hate soup" said the Soup-turse-
And l hate toast" said the loa~
rack. al
We'll, let's swap trades" said :.
Tureen. You hold the soup anu -
hold the toast"
I'D look well trying to hold gu
of soup, wouldn't II" sneerea -
Toast-rack.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

ct believe I've got 8 chill" saia ~
Salt. 4
We'll, who wouldn't, living IN 49,
lar all the timer" jeered the w.
fork.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

IuI NlOItI TtItCtIUII' WIFI IIc .''00'1 TIT
The sun.
Inkspot was just about as big as
mother For a while, after he left the
nome nest up in the dark top of the
pines, he and his brothers and sisters
kent pretty we'll together. And, they
Struggled up side by side. at night as
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
Overheard At
The Table

II SN'T this room a little coldr
4 asked the Oil. Il feel little COZ.
gealed."
Il don't think So" said the Pc!
Pepper I'm hot"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

Lets so TO sea-" said the Spoon :
the Salt. you are an old salt !
That's so. But what'll we 80 u
asked the Salt.
THE gravy-boat," said the Spool
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

sE was a young crow only about
\ eleven months old, but ne
thought he knew il all. He wore
J suit of black. with a wonder
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

Come eat a piece of pie with ma
said the Knife TO the Soup-ladle.
mo, thanks" said the Soup-laasI
II may be in the soup. but never "
pie with a knife"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
MAKE WAY FOR SPRING

AXE way! make way!" cried
the lordly Year,
For me and the prize l
Il bring
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

81 was very much disappointed y
dinner last night" said the Table,
cloth. II simply love currant ielEI
and nobody spilled a bit of it on ne
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

"Heigho!" sighed the Napkin.
What's the matter?" asked The
Fork.
I'm wondering whether I'll eve
grow big enough to be a tablecloth'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

You are very impudent." said d.
Big Spoon to the Little Spoon.
We'll, l can't help it" said the LII.
tie spoon: Jack used me when eating
his cranberry sauce last night. an.
I'm naturally saucey."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

II think it's real meant" sobbss
the Dessert Spoon. Here they're 90
ing to have rice pudding for dinnsl
tonight. and I've got to go upstairs ..
give Jack his cod-liver oil. Ugh"
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-07
HE-ZA HICk
Special Telegram to the New Ark
Morning Light From n. Hick.

FAIRMoNT, w. ", April You
remember that story wrote The other
day about the Monongahela river
bridge. You remember l said in that
story that I did not care what they did
about the proposition, because 1 would
not be in town much longer, anyhow
Well some of my good Democrat
friends took that part Of the story as
an excuse to get up a farewell recep
tion for me. 1 presume they thought
l might forget to 20 away soon
enough. 1t was a very nice reception,
however, with eats after the hand
shaking and conversation was over
and | enjoyed it (the cats) very much,
1t was held in the Y. M. C. A. .
Most all the Democrats we're there
and wished me all the luck in the
wroId III some other part OF the corn'
try; but I don't think they like me to
write for a Republican paper here III
Fairmont. because too much is report
ell to me concerning them. The May
or was at the reception. He said he
had not missed n publtc function Of
any kind since he was Mayor and nat
urally he wanted to be on hand to say
farewell to me. I told him that liz
was like ] am, only different, as | had
never been to a reception before II
my life and IL l could have escaped
would not have been at the ono II
question. He looked as il he though
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-07

sunday nightSatMt Nsbo church All
;areEfnyffadHto FeomaSan take part
TiberiusSV Vincent from Kingnlont.
spent Saturday night and Sunday With
his brother.in.law, j. @. Moran.
Alpheris Phillips was seen on this
ridge last week.
Fay Moran is going to school az
Fairmont this summer.
H. B. Moran is working at Fatrr1ont
al this writing. He Ia working for the
Fairmont Ice company.
Neezer Hawkins was seen on this
ridge Monday OF this week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac Huffman we're
spending a few days with their par
ents. Mr.. and Mrs. Huffman.
Mrs. Josh Hawkins was calling on
Mrs. Amos Huffman one day last
week.
Mrs. J. c. Moran is not very we'll
at this writing.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-07

me ma futistated That owing to the
4honors5yEieh WereSb being heaped upon
me ISwoulds Task SbosslpermissionEto
TStayga little longer IN Fair1nont than
b had INTENDED: not that I wanted to
stay particularly but Just to show my
appreciation.
i forgot to say that ! almost did not
get that reception. Just when vas
ready to start, l thought | saw a black
and white squirrel down in the front
yard and, tried to catch It, but a fellow
grabbed me in the nick OF time and
told me the animal was not what l
thought It a
r. s.-For you was ever a farewell
reception held?
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-07

/ was kidding him, and for once at
least. he was right on the first guess.
did not get to meet as many people
as | would like to have met. Q see
Ira Smith, who is "a great friend OF
the newspaper men. vas the third
MAJ ! met apd he started to tell me
stories, so 1 guess ! missed about 800
people before he was through. He told
me all about himself and the Fairmont
highways and sewers, which was very
interesting. He knows every sewer
in FairInont by name and just how
much 1t cost OF build it and when each
one will have to be replaced, but l
promised him | would not disclose any
facts on the sewers because he wants
to keen them under cover.
The chairman called on the Mayor
for O speech and he said in part: Kind
Friends and Indulgent Brethren, we
are gathered here tonight TO honor a
distinguished visitor, whom am glao
to say is about to leave town soon,
Mr.. He-Xa Kick, of-the sNew Ark
Morning Light (much applause).
MIR. Hick' tells me he must soon go
hack to New Ark for new instructions.
| hope he has a safe journey (much
applause.) He is a wonderful man and
/ shall be pleased to see him back In
New Ark making good (much tumult.)
/ now hand him the key to the city
so that he can open the front door
some night soon and sneak out teven
Commissioners Barnes Joined In the
shouting at.this juncture.)
Then the Mayor sat down and ] got
up and responded touchingly in a few
we'll chosen remarks, in which !
thanked the people for the mantfes-
tation of affection on their part for
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-07
RUNNERS RIDGE.

Several from around here attended
the exhibition at Eureka Friday night
of last week.
Mearl Moran was calling on his par.
ents on this ridge from Friday until
Sunday.
Mrs. Roenna Murphy is q little bet.
ter at this writing.
j. B. Carpenter is mending slowly
He was at church Sunday.
F. l.. Travis organized a Bible class
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-07
EFT, AVIATOR GREES; RIGHT, ALEXANDER, AFTER FLIGHT.

The Quaker star assembled here in
company with Johnny Green, the ayi-
ator who made the trip across Look
out mountain. Green has been flying
between st. Petersburg and Tampa
and his craft has attracted Alex to the
waterfront daily. Manager Moran was
reluctan: to allow his slab marvel to
make the trip and welcomed him with
open arms upon his return.