davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
T1OPKNOT1

lie did get so awfiilly tired of frozen
acorns for breakfast, dinner and sup
per. And these rainy days cold,
rainy days! lust drip, drip, drip, from
morning until night; not a dry spot
anywhere and no sunshine to sit in,
Sometimes the rain would turn into
ice. and that made matters all the
worse. Think of sitting on ice-cov-
cred limbs, and holding an ice coated
acorn in ones bare toes. ana peckiug
and pccking, only TO find a soddcn
and rottcd kernel within, Yes, Top
knot found winter days bad enough.
but winter nights were simply awful.
The ivy vine, whore nc slept, was
often covered with Il coating of the
coolest ice ono ever sat on; and then,
The frozen twiCs were so brittle that
they were apt 10 snap and give one
fail. just at orc WAS dropping to
.lcep. How thc wind did blow, and
low She stiff, icy leaves did rattle and
crack,
Even when poor Topknot soj in the
{ hickest bunch of leaves he could find
and, with head tucked far back under
his wings, he couldn't sleep, for the
cold wind crept under his feathers and
seemed TO whistle through his mar
rowless bones
But there WAS one blessed thing he
had always noticed: This awful
weather Was always followed by a
time when the sun shone warm and
bright, and whom the buds swelled and
swelled until they burst into clusters
of beautiful. fresh. green baby leaves.
lloppers and cijckcts once more court
cd and S?ng il the AL, rank grass,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

lovely fat worms crawled lazily every
where, and life was Just one long
bluejay luncheon time
On sunny days Topknot would sit
by the hour on the edge of the horse
trough and preen his beautiful fcath-
crs as he admired his reflection in the
water His raspins voice lost much
of its harshneSS. and soft love notes
dripped, honey-like, from his bill, and
his heart went pitty-pat whenever he
caught a glimpse of a sky blue skirt
fitting through the leaves. Siding,
like an awkward boy, up to the lady
OF his choice, and, in his blunt, blue
jay way, Topknot tells the old. old
story over again. This ardent court
ship usually ends in a brief bridal trip
down to the clover field, where grass
hoppers were TO be had for the pick
ing.
Housekeeping followed hard on the
heels Of the honeymoon and. in few
weeks, five ugly blucjay babies were
clamoring TO be fed in the ramshackle
nest up in the red oak. For the next
month Topknot had little time for
teasing the cat, asleep under the
hedge, for Mrs. Bluejay saw TO it that
hC Niu HIS IQll SlldTc tOWdTuS IecUlne
the babies. Topknot loved these
hungry youngsters in a bookish and
perfunctory way, but he wasn't bit
sorry when they left the nest and
flew away to hustle for themselves.
1t gave him more time to just hang
around and to act as a kind of n self
appointed constable, or rural police
man of the birds.
If strange bird appeared Top
knot would raise his crest until It
looked very much like a helmet and,
putting out his chest and throwing
back his blue-clad shoulders, he i'm
mcdiatcly proceeded to interview that
bird and find out who he was, where
he came from and how long he OK
pected TO stay.
If Il hawk happened to pass by,
Topknot would drop anything he
might be doing and, with loud. dis
cordant cries. pursue that raider Of
the air until he was glad to take ref
uge in the first thorn thicket he came
10. Even a buzzard, soaring and
wheeling III circles that would make
a Wright green with envy could not
hope 10 escape the frantic attacks Of
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
she always wore.

she always wore.
And he remembered hcr bill, how
black and strong and capable it was
Though She often scoldcd him, she
never got tired and fretful, like some
mothers do.
He recalled. with a little feeling of
shame, how he used to follow her
about. begging to be fed, when he had
grown as large. or larger, than she
was, lie rem cmbercd, too, how grea;
big, hulking fellow as he was. he used
TO shake his wings and squeak in high
pitched, baby tones, whenever his
mother was around. He hadn't for
gotten how proud he was when he
first learned 10 crack his own acorns
by holding them firmly against the
limb with his claws and pcckinS and
pecking until the shell came off and
left the yellow meat, for all the world
like q little round ball of butter. But
these things all happened SO long ago
that 1T really seemed as IL it was in
another world somewhere. He could
count on his toes fifteen winters. with
their snow storms and sleet, and ff-
teen happy summers, with their nest
building and babies, that had come
and gone since he was big boy in his
first long tail feathers.
But winter was the time of all the
year that he dreaded most. Winter
with its dearth. of fat, acknowledged
crasshoppers, soft, gray, cut worms
and delicious silver winged moths.
These had all gone with the vanished
summer. And how he did miss those
quiet little picnics in the woods, when
he came upon II nest of some small
bird, with five or six dainty little eggs,
all fresh and sweet--and. the parent
birds aWaY from homo.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

for Uncle Joe to tell US a story-will
you?" asked Jerry, smuggling up to his
uncle.
Eyes, please do" cried the two
nieces and other nephew in chorus.
drawing their chairs around Uncle
Joe's.
Very WELL" he said. sitting him
self in the big arm chair. II will tell
you tho story as the Moon-m man told it
20 me-
THE Moon-man," said Jerry,
there amt no such thing ooh
Jerry, what of your grammarD
Indeed there is. and here's the
story as he told It TO ME: Up here.
where the stars shine brightly. IL a
land where good people dwell. This
land is rich with the best OF foods and
sparkling waters flow, but long ago
there was =. great drought. Not a
drop Of water could be found any
whore, and the good people were dy-
ing OF thirst.
In one Of tho houses dwelt a little
girl and her mother. The mother was
moaning oh. for drink of water!
I'm thirsting!'
The child went up into the noun
tains to pray to God for water. She
felt her prayer would be answered,
so she took a little tin dipper with
her Water she prayed, we need
water" When she arose from her
knees she looked in tho dippcr and
found it filled with cold sparkling
water.
Mother will live she cried as she
has.cncd down the mountains, :orget-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

from old age and other causes, he
Shouidered the responsibility Of the
little household.
THANK YOU. sir" and THANK you,
sir, again was the manner in which
he expressed gratitude to the wharf
men who helped him because his ia
Their had been a sailor and Il fisher
man. The boy was unfailingly polite,
courteous and civil. The mon of the
docks and of the trawlers became in
tercstcd in him because he appre ciated
their kindness and frankly told them
how we'll he valued their help.
Courtesy gave this boy the capita!
for little retail fish shop. Courtesy
gave him the chance to go up as "a
wholesaler. Later, courtesy made him
bank president, and manager of big
seafood company.
by one article alone, civility," this
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

HOORNER
DELETED RIVERS.


Delete letter from river in
Europe-transpose- find the va
por of water.
Delete letter from river in
Europe--transpose- find We
hicle.
Delete a letter from river in
Europe-transpose- find sud-
den blast of wind.
Delete a letter from a river in
Europe-transposc find n guild
ing line.
MENAGERIE OF SYNONYMS.
An object of public interest; .
sol pounds OF lead 3-To mimic; a
\ party OF men assembled for amusc-
mcnt: 6-ldlcness; Ito follow
stoalthily; ITO endure: $50 dis
hearten; "a cunning fellow.
ANSWERS.
DEIETED RIVERS: (Thames---
Stcdm), (Nera-Van), (Tdgus-Gus) =,
iRh,ne--Rein).
NENAGERIE or SYNONYMS: /,
Lion; ., Pig; 3, Apc: 4, stag; 8, S1oth ;:
6, DCO: Z, Bear; s, COU; ., For.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

this policeman who served without
pay. To tell tho truth, Topknot had
many traits, that do not exactly call
for emulation. IN fact, he does some
things that tho best society docs nor
approve of. In II way. he is dishonest.
lie can't, for the life OF him. resist
| tho temptation TO steal Il choice NOR
sci from a smaller or weaker neigh
! Dor And, in some bird circles, II
has been whispered, that he has been
known to make a quick lunch of a
whole nest full OF young wrens or
catbirds, while the parent birds were
away. Topknot doesn't take the time
or trouble to deny these rumors, but
goes right on planting acorns and
burying nuts, whom he can find moth
ing more exciting to do, so that many
4 waste place is clothed in trees or
shrubs-thanks to his propensity for
hiding things. He loves, above al
things, to find a crack in a wall, or a
rotted out hole in tree. and then
try to fill II with acorns, by dropping
in, one at q time.
lie is one OF the first birds UP In
the morning. and one OF the very last
70 80 to bed. The days are all too
short for him. He has so many irons
in the fire" that night always catches
him with tasks unfinished When he
has nothing else 20 do, he sits down
and tries to invent some new sound
that is more car-spli'ting. more nerve
racking than the last. AS long as
he remains silent, he is really a very
attractive fellow-but, the moment he
opens his mouth, the illusion vaniGhes
and. we know him for what he is
a skyblue bundle of discord. Poor
old Topllnot. He hasn't many friends
and few have a good word to say
for him, but we know of no one who
gets more out of life than he!
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

, Ing the tin dipper TO his mouth.
The dog Tapped the water. but
when he had finished. the dipper filled
itself again. and as 1t did so, 1t
changed from tin to silver. When
the srl reached home she met a
servant at the door.
I'm dying OF thirst cried the serv-
ant, and the child raised the dipper
and badc the girl to drink. She
drained it dry, when 10. the dippcr
changed to gold and filled itself
again.
Mother cried the child. I'm COM
Ing. Here drink and as the mother
wet her parched lips and drained the
water, the dipper once moro filled it.
SELF and changed from gold TO
diamonds An old traveller came ny
the path crying Water, for Gods
sake" The child ran to him with the
upper. and as he drank, he snatched
the dippor and threw it against the
sky The end Of the drought had
come, The dipper remained there as
n memento TO the child who forgot
ncrselr In doing good to others'
Uncle Joe ceased talking.
oh, ! know what YOU mean, It's
the dipper made OF stars up there
SAID Jerry pointing 10 the sky,
Yes, that is the story of the dip
per- just as the Moon-man told Il
to me-"
Woo Woo,o-o,' vhistled the
march wind as 1t swept around the
house--and the Moon-man winked his
eye at us. and then disappeared be-
nina cloud.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23


~ sitting before the big open fire.
place. 1t was too early for
~ dinner and not late enough for
lessons" 1t was just that time of an
afternoon when it is oh. so hard to
find something to do"
They had about made up their
minds to be content with watching
the logs crackle and sputtcr and the
sparks dance up the chimney when
Uncle Will entered the room.
well, WE'LL" he said. you certainly
Hook cheerful. Now I shall draw up
my chair right beside you and We'll
watch the fire
Tell us a story. Uncle WIFI" said
Charlotte presently.
"Oh. do" exclaimed Frank. Some
thing real exciting and
"A fairy story" suggested Char
lotte.
Uncle Will smiled and pushed his
chair a bit farther back from the fire,
for it was hot. NO" he replied. Il
think III not tell YOU a story; but l
will tell you few facts learned to-
day while reading-and perhaps you
may think them quite wonderful.
know | was surprised"
The children settled back, content,
to listen.
FLOWERS are to see and smell, aren't
thcy?" Uncle Will continued, an
amused twinkle in his eye. well,
some flowers are also good to eat. Oh,
YES, quite appetizing, For instance.
in certain parts of Eastern Europe,
the people make Il mixture of roses,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
Out in the Orchard

~ IN, ,Tr,c. .l,i,-c,,I ,,,,. ,,,+ ,,,,,,
II cola rho,, fo,+ nov, no ,raLon
IN their bo,rto and tboy voro
- rlod to roenond to Nlotbor M.
lures call She said. "Wa,<c mn,
Wake nm u, note 4bn ,,,rn, y,oo,brr
is boro, pn ,.o,, i,o.,r mo r,lliny IA
vouq stretch o,t vour li,nbe and
wal<o ,,n""
rho si,vcr A.,, u,e IA. frs. g., an.
s,yer "ob vrh.4 g., Iovo,y slefn 1ve
b,d, fool IiI.o ,ut.i,,, on nv e,ip.
norv gra,, oo,yn and .l.ddon tho
noarts of mon >. "Wbat viii Won do -"
asl,od Nothcr \aturo turning IN tho
Annie ,rrco
ar vii, r,.hc r,vsoIr in ro, nirl, ard
win ,broyv - ncrfur,a around mo 60
AZ to l,trc Tho co,,l. or rbiidrop
r,hrr eno,-o fro ,tonlc"I i.rov
.l.,, c1i,i.o,, ,ovo to e,,,d horo,t
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
~ Three Strange Tales
~.

or wolf goes TO sleep, he curls UP
with his nose quite close to the sole,
of his feet. and then he covers both
nose and feet with his thick, warm
bushy tail.
"And Mr.. Bat never enjoys his mar
unless he is hanging by his hind claws
head downward. So-mercy me, car
that be dinner already! Well, we'll
do hope you children will read
things Of this sort for yourselves-you
will And them quite as interesting as
your story books"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

by one article alone, in which thou
maycst deal, 100, ic thou pleascst---
it is civility.''
When some generous kindness has
not received true appreciation but has
been met with !ncivility, we may for
get Sterne's statement:
"Ye small sweet courtesies OF life;
for smooth do We make the road Of
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

IT, Hike grace and bcaut". which be
get inclinations TO love az first sight;
IL Is SO who open the door ana let the
stranger in."
At six years of Hgc. INC boy, WHO
became the great merchant OF Liver
pool was an orphan and lived with a
widowed aunt. When she fell i'll
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

boy had risen from ob3curity to inn
portancc. What he did. others can
do. Courtesy is free. Tho great wise
man OF Concord, Ralph waldo Emcr-
son, hit tho nail squarcly on the head
when he declared what everybody
knows to be true.
"Iifo is not so short but that there
is always timo for courtesy"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

- 70 was an old ljluclay, who had
~ lived in this particular neck of
Tie woods FOR many. many
years. lie had to sit right still.
smut his eyes tight. and think ana
think before ever he could recall he
tin1C when he was u small, naked
Nounsstcr. SPRAYING around in u nest
way up among Tie leaves III Il big rcd
oak.
lie remembered, in Il dim, tar-away
fashion, how his mother used to LOOK,
in fact when he shut his eyes very
tight he could sec that blue dress,
with black and white trimmings, that
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

ting i'll her excitement to qucnch her
own thirst. She did not heed the jag
ged stones as they cut her little bare
feet. she thought only of her mother
Az she ran she heard whine, and
there stood dog, his parchcd tongue
hanging out of his mouth.
Here, doggie, drink she said. hold
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

Beneath an old deserted wall.
Within box he hid it all;
And there by early morning light.
Or when the moon above was bright.
He went to view the shining store.
And count his shckels DER and Ger.
A laborer with watchful eye.
Observed each daily visit sly;
And. learning where the gold was kept
Removed it while the owner slept.
The miser now was in despair;
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
AN EASILY MADE MASK,

avery boy and girl loves to pull
on a mask or false face, and
puzzle his or her friends. Thd
~ shops are full of comic masksl
,ut the most fun can be gotten from
he easily made paper ones. This Is
he way TO make it:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

He wept aloud and tore his hair;
Until a neighbor coming near.
Gave this encouragement and cheer.
Said he, MY friend. cry not no
moan.
But find of equal weight stone.
And bury that; twill nothing cost.
In place of gold that you have lost.
Imagine it to be the same
For so it is. except in name.
Not using what you had. one jot:
Twas just as if you had it not"
IT'S not in having. but the use.
That gives to ownership excuse.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
One W. y Up

HEN Il great merchant OF
Liverpool was asked by
what means he had amassed
Il fortune, he graciously re-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
76e Moon Mans Story

~ ROO-O-WOO-O o." whistled
the March wind as it switched
around the bow-windowed
w sitting room. "a real March
night" said Uncle Joe, addressing no
one in particular. Just the kind to
make one want to hug the log-firc."
u think it is just the kind of night
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23
Good Night and Good Morning

I'LL goodnight and sleep
W. tight.
Now turn round and cull up in
bed"
The children in China are greeting the
light
And saying good-morning instead.
And when they are trotting about in
the grass
And playing their games in the sand.
We're sleeping our little tired heads
of-alas
And dreaming in beddy-by-land.
But we pay them back in the morning
at eight.
When sunshine has painted our
skies
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

Take sheet of heavy yellow wrap
ping paper, about a foot and a haiti
square. Fold 1t double like the figureI
l, then cut out the eyes and nose and|
mouth, and round the ear. For the|
beard fold the bottom portion several
times and cut it in long Sits. Open|
out and you will have the completed
mask You can use your water paints|
and make the false face as srotesQue|
as possible.
The Ions straight tabs arc pinned
around your head. and the mask isl
adjusted over the face. Roll your|
eyes and stick your tongue through
the opening over the mouth, and you
will be suff' cient to scare the bravest|
of your little friends. Try II.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

For you. little Chinaboy. then it is late
And time you were closing your
eyes.
Its all very mixed. I'm beginning to
think.
And the sun is the cause of the
trouble;
! wish it were day time for US and the
Chink-
But the sun cannot make himself
double.
Goodnight little Chinkie." we laugh
ingly say
As our school bell rings out on the
air.
Goodnight little neishbor and also
sood-day."
Says the Chink as he plaits up hi.
hair!
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

"HARLOTTE and Frank were
sitting before the big open fire.
" place. 1t was too early for
~ dinner and not late enough for
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-23

II i, Trees shivcrcd. but not from
cold. They felt new life awaken
in their hearts, and they were
, glad to respond TO Mother Ma
The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-02-24
THE QUAIL AND THE WEEVlL

"A statictician has estimated
that the cotton farmers of Texas
lose between $40 600. 900 and
$4,000, 900 year because, in
spite Of strict game laws and ac-
tive game wardens. the quail.
which is one of the enemies of
the boil weevil, has been killed
off.
Shall we follow the example of
Texas and continue the destruc-
ton of the farmers natural and
most efficient ally?
This writer is lover of hunt
ing and believes in the sport, but
a crisis is approaching the cot
ton raising industry of this sec
ton the weeyil is coming. 1t
may take three or five years, or
it may make its appearf nee at
most any time. But sooner or
later, it is coning,
We heartily agree with Mr.
w. X. Elliott, district demon
stration agent, who last week
said THAI not another quai
should be killed in this county.
A man who is not willing to
forego little pleasure when the
welfare of the community is at
stake should be compiled to do
so.
The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-02-24
Be A Business Farmer

It is becoming increasingly
necessary for the farmer to be a
business man and it is advlsa BILE
for bin to initiate the methods
OF city business men, who have
been at the art longer time
than he and have developed it
more. 1t is chiefly in what might
be called little things that the
difference between the business
like and the unbusinesslike
farmer is revealed and in none
more than the business letters
of each.
There is really little reason
why a lawyer or a merchant or
manufacturer should show more
courtesy to the farmer than the
farmer shows to them, in the
matter of correspondence. Yet
that is the way it seems to work
when one compares the letters
of the two sides.
The cost of neatly printed sta
tionery will not hit the expense
side ef farmers ledger hard
enough to count, while the use
of it is more than likely to do
fine things for the pr fit side.
A printed letter head especial
ly when the farm has been given
An attractive name as every
farm should be) will create a
favorable impression, will adver.
Use the farm ard its products,
will identify the W. tier 70 mat
ter how he scrawls his signature,
and will make him and all his
family feel a little extra pride
in the farm stead.
In South Carolil a, and the
! South generally, farmers who
use printed letterhads are as yet
comparatively few; the nu n Der
is still small enough to make a
good lo"king farm letterhea d
conspicuous. For this reason,
those VIII" begin this practice at
once will get the benefit of the
extra publicity tnat goes with
novelty Clemson News Notes.
The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-02-24

There must have been consid-
erable lobbying done, to cause
our distinguished Legislators
to pass law allowing an indi.
vidual to import sixty pints of
beer per month. A committee e
should be appointed to investi-
gate Bob Gonzales, as he had
sinister motives IN seeing such a
law passed, and we know from
experience that his taste runs in
that direction.