davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

Mary dear. are the Grapevine Gnomes.
We know you we'll and we have seen
you often, though you knew 1t not
| It's our task to ripen the grapes and
tend them til the harvest. People
fain would have you believe that the
Sun rtpens and colors the grapes; but
gadzooks, it's a slanderous statement!
We, indeed we, the Grapevine
Gnomes-do that
Brother Stickemon spends the long
summer days in fitting from grape to
grape seeing that it is firmly affixed
to its stem; he tightens here and sticks
little there-so he is known as
Brother Stick-them- on; which is, for
short, Brother Stickemon. You see
-?" And he laughed merrily.
And this" he continued, turning
to the other gnome, lis Brother
Dustem--yes, It's that exactly that he
does He goes ahead of me and re-
moves the dust and spider-webs from
the clusters of grapes. And then
come right along behind him, with
my wonderous paints, and paint the
6AdPVot pOAlC PIl PIE, SOlIlG q ilRIl yell
low, some red and some a pale green.
Aye, fair maid, tits merry work we
do-and a happy one!"
"But-but-" began Mary.
Yes" interrupted Brother Sticke-
mon, winking at the other two. 1--WE
know you have never seen us before
but we have seen you! Why, re-
member the other day when YOU
plucked bunch of grapes and, hear
ing a sudden rustling behind you, YOU
thought it was a snake, or a spider
and you turned and ran to the house
at fast as your little feet could carry
you? Well, fair maid, tits 1 that made
that rustlingi
In truth, I meant not to brighten
you. But you had plucked a cluster
that was not quite ripe-and ills a
shame to pick them until they are all
colored and sweet and ready to eat!
l flew along behind you-and I fain
would have snatched the cluster from
your. hands, except that such a trick
would have been indeed rude. But. 1
beseeeh you, be careful henceforth
to see that you pluck only the ripe
ones. OF course you couldn't see me,
for 1 am invisible to the human eye;
but, nevertheless. I was flying along
right behind you
Mary nodded her head. ooh, I was
so frightened" she said. And I am
so sorry 1 pulled those grapes-I knew
they weren't ripe the minute I tasted
one"
Our work is over for this season."
sighed Brother Colorem. and It's
time we burrowed deep down into
the roots of the vine for our winter
sleep. 'Tis a good season, and the
harvest abundant. l have painted so
much that my hands feel numb; and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

worker To"
The three Grapevine Gnomes gave
one look and then, with yell of rage,
they fairly flew at that cobweb and
quicker than you could wink-it was
shattered
"Whut's de mattah wit you, chile i?
Is you done lost yo' mind-alaying
heah on de damp groun'! Lan's sakes
wake up, wake up, Mary"
There was no doubt about it; old
Aunt Dinah was speaking, not one
of the three Grapevine Gnomes. And,
too, Aunt Dinah was pulling Mary to
her feet; for Mary had fallen asleep
right beside the grapevine swing.
Towser, too, was trying to awaken her,
with his shrill bark
Mary rubbed her eyes and looked
about curiously. Not a gnome was
in sight; but the tattered remnants
of the big spider web were visible
on the vine right in front of her.
Brother Dustem,' she mumbled
sleepily, Brother Dustem you'd bet
ter"
'Lawdyme!' gasped old Aunt
Dinah. "Whut's de mattah, honey
is you done gone out OBJ yo' haid :?
Comerlong right away an see yo'
MaW!"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

beautiful web. knocking Sallie Silkins
cut on the ground.
Up she got and scrambled back on
her perch.
I'm coming In to sting you!" she
cried, looking into the house.
You'd better not" said Winnie
Whittlewhisker. who was just sitting
down to supper
"Why?" she asked
II might put my foot on you and
mash you.'' said Winnie Whlttle-
whisker.
So Sallie Silkins decided not to go
In, but she set to and worked all night
long as hard as she could and made
another web just where the other two
had been. and this time she made it
very strong. each thread made of four
strands twisted together.
"I'd just like to see him break
that" she said, when 1t was done.
"I'd just like to see him, would"
Soon Winnie Whittlewhisker came
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

to the door and saw the new web
shining in the sun, the dew still on it
and glistening like diamonds.
What fine webb he cried I'm
so sorry you put 1t here again, be-
cause I'll be obliged to break it to
get out"
Sallie Silkins never said word, but
sat back with her longest and sharp
est singer ready She was sure he
couldn't set through, and If he once
got entangled in the mesh, she could
and would sting him to her hearts
content. But alas! Winnie Whittle-
whisker gave a quick jump, like
lightning, and through the web he
bounded and Off into the woods, leav-
ing Sallle Silkins lying on her back
on the ground.
Up she got almost bursting with
temper, and began at once to make
another web She spun and spun and
spun all day. twisting six strands to-
gether for the thread, and just as
she was finishing it her silk gave out,
so she sat in her unfinished web and
waited for Winnie Whittlewhisker to
come home.
She was so tired that she fell asleep
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
Mary and the ''Grapevine Gnornes"

/" IL during that brisk Fall morn
ing Mary had been playing in
the yard, running about with
- - Towser, her spry little fox
terrier, and pretending ever so many
delightful things about giants bold
and dragons and brave knights. Then
she remembered the big grapevine
swing in the back yard and she
thought how delightful it would be to
swing in it.
Poor Towser, of course, couldn't
see any fun in that; SO after making
certain his little Mistress was deter
mined to swing, he trotted expectantly
away toward the kitchen door where,
his keen nose told him, old Aunt
Dinah, the cook, was cleaning chicken
for dinner.
Up-and-d own-up-and - down,
Mary swung for a long while. the
thick, tough vine holding her far bet
ter than even stout piece of rope
could have done. Presently she de-
cided she'd let the swing die OUT"
which means, as you know of course,
that she wouldn't push" any more
with her feet but would allow the
swinging TO grow gradually less and
less until finally II came to stop.
Now, Mary never has been quite
certain what happened after that; all
she remembers is sliding slowly off
the board seat and then-then-
"Ohol Look who is here!" cried q
merry little voice, seemingly right be-
side her ear. ''Io. brothers! Come
and look at this little maid WHILST we
nay-whilest that fearful dog of hers
Is not here to trouble usl"
Mary opened one eyelid just a
teeny-weeny bit-or thought she did
and beheld three of the queerest
little creatures she had ever seen.
Indeed, to tell the truth, she had
never, never before seen such funny
little fellows.
One of them-the one who had
spoken--was perched Jauntily on
large leaf of the grapevine; second
was sprawled out as comfortable as
you please along the part of the vine
to which the leaf was attached; and
the third seemed to be fairly plas-
tered against another part Of the vine
--leastwise Mary couldn't imagine
how he could possibly hold himself
in such peculiar position unless
glued there.
Strange to say. too, she wasn't one
bit frightened, for all three of them
were looking at her with the merriest
of merry smiles.
"'Tis a sweet little maid, methinks,
Brother Dustem!" sighed the one who
had already spoken.
AYE, Brother Colorem, that I do
likewise" replied the one addressed.
Then turning to the third, the one
who seemed plastered against the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

you stay right at homo, Robbie. +"
ordered Frank. "1f we'd run across
that leopard he would chew you up
in one bite"
But 1 want to go along" pleaded
the little fellow.
"If you want to get eaten up just
follow u.s." said Donald suggestively.
"If there's anything leopards like to
eat it's little boys" And he said 1t
30 fiercely that they were sure Robbie
would not care to tag behind.
But Robbie did follow them. unseen
by either Frank or Donald. The boys
had feeling that the escaped beast
would be hiding in a certain bit Of
woods on the edge of the city. So
there they went in their search. Lit
tie Robbie followed them into the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

| her knitting, and every time the
thread would knot she would jerk
and frown and mutter:
Good Gracious me. This thread
is bewitched''
One morning, shortly after she had
moved into that neighborhood, she
was knitting when she heard a rust
ling sound behind her and felt her
web shake and break. She jumped
about and dropped her knitting, and
there looking out at her from the hole
was furry, striped head belonging
to bushy-tailed animal.
Excuse me-" said the animal, po-
litely, my whisker must have brushed
your web"
"Humph!" said Sallie Silkins, cross
", and turned her back.
I'm sorry" said the animal but
this is the door of my house, and
you'll have to move so 1 can get in
and out"
II won't novel" cried Sallie Silkins,
land I'd have you know you've made
me drop lot of stitches in this
stocking, which I'll never get done be-
cause the thread is bewitched."
"Oh no." said the animal, I'm sure
your thread is not bewitched. But
you will really have to move, my good
Madam"
IT won't novel" cried Sallie Silkins.
you can move yourself! Besides I'd
like to see you break that web" And
she waved her singer at him.
We'll" said Winnie Whittlewhisker,
for the animal was no other than that
winsome chipmunk, I'm sorry but
I'll have to break through your web.
must get OUT
SO with that he dashed right
through the beautiful web and, wav-
ing his hand to the angry spider, he
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
PIN MONEY

THE term Pin Money dates back
to the seventeenth century, when the
modern pin was invented. After that
time the maker was allowed to sell
them openly only on January / and Q,
so that Court ladies and fashionable
Danes alike were compelled to buy
a large quantity to last them over
the year. So extremely important was
this yearly purchase that husbands
gave their wives large sums Of money
for the pins. Bye and bye pins be-
came cheaper. and cheaper, and
women spent their allowance on other
vanities, but the term PIN Money re-
NAMED in use for all spending
money"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

~ OW is the season to gather
"a VA Autumn leaves and make your
IA y homes look pretty. Did you
"a a know that Autumn leaves can
be dried for decorative purposes? The
collecting, drying and gluing of them
is both an instructive and an interest
ing occupation.
Not long ago saw a group of girls
out in the woods gathering huge
punches of leaves, and I stopped in
my walk to ask them how they were
going to use them. Some wanted
theirs just to put into vases, but one
of them quickly answered. 81 am
going to paste mine on the walls of
my room"
will any kind of leaves do for
that?" asked.
mo, you must be careful to gather
only leathery and flbrous leaves. and
whenever possible, those that grow in
small punches, attached to small
twigs"
She showed me hers and added
After I get these home, I will dry
them between the sheets Of old books
pressing down the books with irons
After some weeks the sap will all be
dried out. and the leaves will be ready
for USE"
do you paste them directly on the
wall paper?" 1 questioned.
Eyes. My room is papered in plain
buff, and l will glue the leaves as
artistically as 1 can. trying to pro-
duce a pretty effect"
THAT is quite an idea," 1 said. and
seeing my appreciation of her COM
municative spirit, she went on: These
fern-leaves l mean to press. and then
glue on piece of glass cut the same
size as the window pane in my room.
When that is done I'll tack the glass
up against the window with the ferns
coming between the two pieces of
glass"
I thanked her for her information,
and walked on, beginning to gather
leaves on my own responsibility, and
then for the first time saw glorious
sunset in each small leaf, and through
these leaves had a peep into nature,
and learnt much of the wonders of
the creation.
AS the leaves fiutter to the ground,
they seem to bear messages of the
coming winter.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

and never woke up until she heard a
laugh, and there stood Winnie Whit
tlewhisker.
Well. now" he said. what have
we here?"
III sting you If you come near
nere' she cried, waving her singer,
but she knew that she could not
sting, she YES zoo worn out and weary
That's funny looking WEBB" said
Winnie Whittlewhisker. "You used
to be good spinner but I'm not
sorry to break this one
And with that he jumped through
the unfinished web, throwing Sallie
SilN'rs out on the ground.
For long time she lay stunned.
then Off she crawled and found lit
tie humble hole IN tho ground in which
she burrowed to sleep off her rage
and get back q little strength, al
though (and this is confidentiaD she
never was able to mako such fine webs
again. and half Of her children had
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

TT 7 wasn't because they did not like
III Robbie. 1t was simply that he
was too little to play with them.
U So when Donald and Frank did
their ball playing or went swimming
or to the woods they usually pre-
ferred to leave Robbie out Of their
plans. Robbie did not like this q bit,
and often showed his dislike by cry
ing, which convinced Donald and
Frank all the more that he was too
babyish to hang around them.
One day especially they did not
want him to go along. For they were
going leopard hunting! Such sport
was not to be had every day. Indeed,
1t was quite an unusual adventure for
the boys. A circus had been to town
the day Before and young leopard
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

Tho expression Salt Money
is another such. This dates very
far back when the Roman work
ers in the salt mines were paid
in salt. The salt they got in re-
turn for their labors was called SAL
arium' (sal-salt). or salt allowance.
The word salarium later on was ap-
Piled to the fees men got for odd jobs
For instance the Roman Noble would
say: For patching my toga. will
Ia bit of money to buy salt with
Finally salarium came to mean wages.
salary, what It does today. When
we say "A man Is not worth his salt
we mean that he is not worth his sal
airy. or wages"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

Brother Dustem has busted SO much
and brushed off so many cobwebs that
But, right here, Mary broke in WITH
loud, rollicking laugh.
Brother Colorem stopped speaking
and stared at her in surprise. So did
the other two. What is the cause Of
your sudden merriment?" he asked.
Look" giggled Mary. Look at
that big cobweb right under Brother
Dustem! Indeed he must be a hard
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
|9 OURPUZZLE
ECORNER
"HYDRA-HEADED WORDS

'tHYDRA- HEADED WORDS"
A word of four letters meaning
healthy Change the first letter, and
find a pointed stake. Change again,
and find a business transaction.
Change again, and find a man.
Change again, and find a narrative.
Change again, and find a place be-
tween hills. Change again, and find
a vegetable.
A MIX-UP.
Arrange SIS in such way.
With an N, O, E and L.
And learn to study every day.
The combination they will tell.
ANSWERS.
HYDRA-HEADED WORDS - Hale,
Pale, Sale, Male, Tale, Dale, Kale.
A MIX-UP-LesSOas
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
THE NEW BABY.

a Ii my nose is out of joint
~ Count of just one simple point.
~ There's baby to our house
Most as little as mouse.
And between both me and you
Kind of very ugly, too.
| am always in the way
Since it came the other day.
And the bottles and the milk
And the coverlets of sikh
Mother says. my little joyl
Darling, dimpled. little boy"
"Dimpled darling" that's not So
Wrinkled up-I'd have you know.
All it does is squeal and drink
Course it couldn't even think.
I'm surprised they'd have fit
Over anything like it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

Down by the ocean plunges.
They loaded him with sponges;
For profit earning
On the way returning.
Although they're light" said he.
I'll send them back to the sea.
By the same default
made with the salt"
So in the river he fell.
And soaked the sponges well.
His labor to shirk:
But the trick didn't work.
When he found his load weighty.
Ten pounds become eighty;
He resolved to be square
And always play fair.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
Eyes Shining."

heart of the woods and then, losing
track of the boys, became interested
in something else.
The boys wandered around with
rifles ready for action. Neither was
sure in his own heart just what he
would do If the leopard should con-
front them. They had hunted with
out successor maybe they were
really lucky-for about an hour
when they heard a familiar voice
which seemed near at hand and yet
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

had escaped. 1t was not known just
where the animal had taken refuge,
and after thorough search the circus
men had given it up after offering a
reward for the capture of the beast
Donald and Frank had decided to
hunt the leopard and get the reward.
Each had a small rifle and Donald
carried also a huge hunting knife in
case a hand to hand fight were nee
essary. Obviously Robbie's services
were not needed on this expedition.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

to go around all their lives without
any stockings.
And by this tale you will see, my
Beloved Child that although it is a
very fine thing to be persevering, yet
Perseverance is like ice cream and
cake--too much would never, never
do, especially when one is bad-tem-
pered and hasn't good judgment, like
Sallie Silkins.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
A MULE from an ancient mine
~ Was carrying salt of quality

w % SoiiyHS sat VI qudil'
fine.
On each side sack
Hung down from his back.
He thought twas heavy load.
And the cruel drivers goad.
We may be sure.
Was hard to endure.
Within river they crossed.
The mule his footing lost.
And the salt ran away
In the waters gray.
Now the empty bags were light.
And the mule was joyful quite:
Relieved of his load.
He danced on the road.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

Sallie Sillfins and she had three pairs
of stockings to knit for each of
her fifteen hundred children, so no
wonder she was cross and peppery.
Her web was stretched across a
big hole in the Elm Tree. where she
had put it not long before and where
she thought would be a good place
to lie in wait for flies and gnats and
what-not (Which were little bugs
whose names she was not familiar
within To improve the time she took
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
SALLE SILKINS' WED

I" CROSS, middle-aged Spider sat
knitting and knitting and
knitting in the middle of a
y beautiful web. Her name was
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

~ LII during that brisk Fall morn
ing Mary had been playing in
the yard, running about with
- = Towser, her spry little fox
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

~ OW is the season to gather
"a va Autumn leaves and make your
III " homes look pretty. Did you
IA 4 loour tbat Autumn leauac oar
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
Plenty OfFWater If Everyone
 Is Careful

The first of the week the report was circulated that Wrangsll was about 10 face a water famine as Mayor Grant and others made a trip lip tothe dam to investigate and report that there is about four or five feet of water above the in- take in the dam and that a small stream is running in which is about of setting the leakage, so with due dilligance and keeping the faucets closed Wrangell has water tolast about six weeks without rain, but there is none fo spare and it is up to each citizen tobe as Saving as possible until the weather moder. ates at least.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
Brings Many furS From
 Telegraph

H. C. Goldberg fur buyer, from Vancouver, Charlie Olsen and Dan Holland, mushers, came down tho Stikrne from Telegraph last Satur- day. The trip down was made in five and half days,
 MT. Goldberg went into the dis trict from Atlin making the trip from Atlin to Telegraph in r2 days and after spending ten days at Telegraph came down the river to WrangeII, At Telegraph MT. Goldberg purchased over six thou sand dollars worth of silver, red and cross fox also mink furs which he is taking outside.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
Notice

SEALED PROPOSALS will 'bs by the Lighthouse In- spector, Ketch;';an, Alaska, at 2 o'clock P. M., on February 28th, Io16, for the purchase of hoisting engine, skiff, stove, and two boat yinches, condemned government 5roperty which may be inspected at .sathoase Depots Ketchikan, Alaska. Information upon appli- cation toAb ,ge office.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
Notice To Creditors
In the United States Commission CTS Court, Wrangell Precinct First Division, District Of Alaska In Probate.
 In tue matter ol the Estate
John Schuler. Deceased.

John Schuler. Deceased. TO ALL PERSONS WHOM IT
 MAY CONCERN
 Please take Notice, that on the aotA day of January, Ie1pr I was, by order of the Probate Court. for the Wrangell Precinct, First Di- vision of Alaska, duly appointed Administrator oi the above named Estate, and on ti.4t I4y filters ot administration was duly issued to me, and having qualified as such administrator under said order.
 ALL PERSONS, HAVING CL AIMS AGAINST THE SAID ESTATE, should present their claims with proper vouchers there with at my place of residence in the town of Wrangell, Alaska, within six months from the date of this order.
 Dated at Wrangel, Alaska, in  the District and Division aforesaid the 18th day of January, A. D.. Iot6.
 C. GRANT, {
 Administrator Aforesaid. First Publication, February srd,
 1916.
 Last Publication, March and, 1916
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
RECIPE FOR GRAY HAIR.

To half pint of water add OF. Bay Rum. small box of Barbo Compoune and "A OF. of glycerine. Apply to the hair swiee a week until it becomes the desired shade Any druggist can put this up or you can mix 1t at home at very little cost Full directions for making and use como n each box Of Barho Compound. It viii gradually darken streaked. faded gray hair, and removes dandruff. It is excel lent for falling hair and will make harsh hair soft and glossy. It will not color the scalp. is not sticky or greasy, and does not rub of1f
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
The Third Attack On Riga In
 Hgow On

Berlin, Feb. io-=Ths third at- .e 4hl :. he GermAn army tc cap lure Riga is nov und way. Six aundred thous nd men nave been sent as Feihforcensnts to Flanders %l' re terrible battl is in pro
 $. Fiv hon fred arl French tfenc ( dave D e p4ur- a by the GsrmanstOrces. large Ruml . of prisonerA were taken with tke trenches and lnaay large sunss
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
Notice

The person who took the top from my stove On tue morning oI the fire at my house is known and unless he returns same a, once he will be prosecuted.
 Signed,
 HAS. BRYANT,
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
Read The Sentinel.

Read The Sentinel.
 The Osprey left tor Ketchikan last Tuesday.
 Forest Ranger Allen was in town for a few days this Week. Chas, Darwell was in from Yixin Inlet the first of the week.
 Fred Stackpole arrived on the Alki. Fred has spent the winter in Wenatche on his ranch but got Alaska fever and so will spend the summer here,
 MT. and Mrs. Walderberg. of Petersburg. are registered at the Wrangell Hotel.
 Mrs. Thomas Dalgity .who was on the sick last two wseks is very much improved.
 69aseribe ies The Sentinel.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-02-10
At ct. Philips Church,

The Prslule to the sermok at s Philips church next sunday IS Hoping a Dream. The subjeet | of the sermon will be Man g Destiny "