davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

ms OcOuL neauQuarLerS,
 about picture in the middle of the street. son. Better keep your eyes open, and learn not to dream"
 Tn all his lifetime afterwards, Bob could not forget those words. They made the very gravest impression on his career.
 Better keep your eyes open and learn not to dream"
 A Decision
 He was also strangely cautioned by this phrase, and since 1t always suggested to him the time when he was almost killed by the automobile, it shortly grey to be a belief with him that thinking about the unfin- ished house was bad luck. His mother was also impatient with him for at- taching importance to 1t. It did seem to him like a vision, made him feel strange and, most of all, 1t worried him because it didn't seem to have any sense to it.
 Thus, as Bob reached his fourteenth year, he had definitely put the un- finished ghost house out of his mind. He deliberately refused to. speculate upon 1t any more.
 His decision became all the more adamant, since one time he related if around a scout campfire and the boys labeled him "Spooky Bob"
 Rob had always had most unhappy life. The son of a woman who earned her living by taking in washing and by doing cooking and other jobs Bob had early been relied upon to split the wood, hang out the clothes to dry and take them home again when the heavy days ironing was done.
 Poor Environment
 It seemed to him sometimes. In his boyish mind, that the whole world smelled like soap suds. bees wax that you rub an iron upon, the fumes of scorching rags, and that 1t was in habited by people who did little but complain that this or that starched piece of clothing was not well done. His mother was more stolid about such things. but. sarcastic remarks about her work cut into Bob's soul until sometimes he had the impression that his heart would stop.
 Bob had never been beaten by his mother. but his environment was pitt ful. Totally devoid of imagination herself, she had no patience with the stirring, latent boyish ambitions which Bob voiced from the time that he was a baby and had set his heart on climbing over the foot of the bed to the time when he was 14 years old and had begun to think of such things as becoming a lawyer. a doctor. or somebody who did worthwhile things. Bob was hearing about citizenship at his school: how good citizens bestir- red themselves to put over great movements for their town; got streets paved in their vicinity; made peti- tions, and waited upon the city fath- CTS or companies for improvements or gas or lights.
 An Incident
 How he longed with all his soul to be a man like thatl
 It was just at this period that one day. like a sudden shining star out of blackness, there came into his life magnificent experience.
 It was a regular glory day''-made all the more precious because of cir cumstance so inspiring and yet so fleeting that for days afterwards he could think of nothing else.
 Gro be continued next week)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

It is not my policy to be unkind, especially to impose on birds or ami mals. But the other day l was sit ting out in front of our new cabin in the sunshine, breathing in the smell of the pines" when l heard a commotion" in the treetops. l looked and saw Peter Peckerwood and Billy Bluebird had fallen out, and the feathers flew"
 Just Fussin'
 l wondered why they fought, and I watched them In short while Billy flew away to tall pine nearby and Peter was just fussin at him. saw Billy light on a short limb of the big pine. He preened his feath CTS and seemed mad all over' Final ly when he had tmanicured" his feathers he hoped around on the south side of the tree.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
Photo by Bairi ].

and he knew that we would all want to play them again."
 By this time the other boys had joined them. and the conversation continued.
 And, fellows, just to think the games only week off, next satur- day." exclaimed Harry Keen. Say we've got to get in some mighty good practice between that time. Wouldn't be so bad if Tom were going to play, but he can't"
 To Work Hard
 I'll say we've got to practice, and practice hard, too" answered Jim.
 By this time it was nearly dark, so they all left the gym.
 Tom Namely, of whom the boys had been talking, was undoubtedly the best player on the football team Of Bethany college, but several months ago in game he had been hurt very seriously, but now he was almost well, but the doctor had already said that there would be no playing foot ball for several months.
 And to think" Tom had said, T can't play in the game Saturday. 1t will be probably the biggest and best game that has ever been played on Bethany grounds"
 The week had passed quickly. It was now Saturday. Every boy in college was so excited that he could hardly walt until afternoon.
 At 2 o'clock all the boys march ed down to the field.
 Gee" sighed Tom as he stood watching them march. Don't they look grand?"
 Cheered Him
 The campus seemed deserted, everyone had gone down to the field. Tom slipped into the gym, unlocked his locker and put on his football suit very quickly.
 himself. "Ill put it on if don't get to play
 All the boys gave three cheers for Tom as they saw him coming.
 The game had now begun-the Bethany boys had played fair. square game the first half, which was now, over.
 After awhile the shout came from Bonnet, the coach. Team gatherw You boys have got to open the game up this second half. The forward pass is what we are depending on. We want a score quickw he said.
 By that time the whistle blew, Tho first ten minutes went by. No score. Whitning tried forward passes. Only two in five were good.
 Nottingham got the ball, ran 10 center. then kicked. Morrison, in . stead of catching 1t, let it go.
 Nottingham was wild with delight.
 Bethany's coach shouted, Tom, my boy; go in. save us. Try to kick it like a mani'
 Did It Anyhow
 With wild delight and excitement Tom Namely rushed into the field.
 After Tom bad kicked everyone was shouting We're safe. we've got Tom Namely on the fieldr'
 Finally Bethany got possession of the ball and Tom had the honor of making score and saving the game for Bethany. After which the game ended to z.
 Tom was so completely exhausted that he had to be carried unconscious by the boys from the field.
 Even If I did disobey the doctor and, a-nd-may- m-a-y-be. it viii kill me" he said weakly. opening his eyes and looking at the crowd around him, "I am so happy and thankful that I helped win the game" Tom did not die. but soon became well and strong, but could play foot ball no more that year.
 Kathryn McWilliams in Louisville Courier Journal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
Work Starts TomorrolU On Troop 49 Cabin

too. has the honor of holding the championship for the city. A chickca supper was given by the boys to raise money to buy souvenirs of the football season. Around s75 was raised and the boys of the junior team were awarded silver footballs $ as souvenirs. and the boys of the senior team were given gold ones.
 Troop 49 has the proud distinction of having five of their charter mem bers with the troop, and three of these are now assistant scout mas ters. They have been organized for five years under the leadership of c W. Mcdonald. and four or five of their members will be made veteran scouts December l.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
EXECUTIVE SPENDS
 FIRST NIGHT OUT


 Roland Y. Shine, scout executive, has spent his first night at Camp Andrews.
 The great event, with stars shin ing like big diamonds over the head quarters cabin, was pulled off this week when the scout executive and c. w. Mcdonald, scout master of Troop 49. went out together to enjoy the spring landscape.
 Mir. Mcdonald was chief cook and bottle washer, but MT. Shine, he testifies. is the best dishwasher. un- attached. anywhere in the Birming- ham district.
 He is also fine water bringer. The two had wonderful time look ing over the new cabins that are being planned. seeing the big dam just completed a short time ago, and otherwise enjoying mans time" right out in the open.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
Getting Back 10 Nornalcy

When we prop our optics on the am nouncement that the Age -Herald's scout page is going back to Friday morning we are no longer in doubt as to whether or not the world is going back to normalcy as President Hard ing says. We see where the Alice furnace is starting up again, and where things in general are improv- ing.
 That the page is better on Friday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

TlenCe or ms llIe Udu ldhSu p4dSC db
 He has been called forward and, while the whole world seemed to be whirling around him. a wonderful scout badge had been pinned to his blouse by his very own scout master, and he was told that he had qualified as a tenderfoot.
 A Picture
 The thing that had stopped Bob. so suddenly was a mental picture, strange mind picture that had haunt ed him all his life. Where it came from; what suggested it; why 1t should recur to him, he could not reason out. In way it frightened him. too, yet it also brought with it a certain thrill of happiness.
 It was a picture of a house-and yet not a whole house. It was a sort of ghost house." he called it. 1t looked more like castle, since 1t seemed to be made of strange brown stone. Yet it appeared as if it was made for a home, for 1t was not big enough for slty-scraper or the capi- tol of state, one of which he had seen once at Montgomery.
 When the picture would come to him, he always seemed to be stand ing in the yard looking at the house, with man pointing out where the other foundations were to go to build a second wing
 Yes. that was the very word the man used-wing"
 It was a strange word to him. What did 1t mean?
 Puzzled
 Robert scratched hls head, but 1t did not help solve the mystery. He made up his mind that sometime he would ask his scout master what wing meant.
 He asked his mother the question once, but she had informed him the only thing that had wings" was a bird. and when he told her about the picture of the unfinished house, she had failed to appreciate it. She said he must have seen 1t in a dream ons night. Then she started into very fine narrative about something that she herself had dreamed which was quite more wonderful.
 Bob was trying to make out further details of the ghost house picture, and inusing so intently over it that he had forgotten absolutely where he was. With the haunting outline clear in his mind, he did a thing which no well trained scout ever does He started absently across the street
 'aHonk. honk!" screeched an auto lloDlie WILLY.
 Crash! Bing. bingw suddenly rang a street car.
 Then there was a sickening grind of traffic trying to bring itself to a sudden halt.
 An Accident
 It was all over in a minute. Bob felt like he had been hit by thun- derbolt; the world got black. and when he came to himself. he was opening his eyes wonderingly in a drug store, and the doctor was say ing:
 Almost got you, son. didn't they? What were you thinking about that you didn't hear the horn?"
 A scout answers truthfuliy always. II was thinking about a picture" admitted Bob, and
 But the doctor was matter of fact. Pretty poor policy to be thinking
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
THE PACK

want to carry all of the comforts of home in the pack on their back. All the extra weight naturally takes the joy out of the real pleasure of walk ing
 My pack for a cross continent hike consists of bag with a wide strap, both made of canvas. It fits comfort ably over one shoulder It contains only the most necessary of articles a blanket change in underwear and socks, slippers. d wooden shirt, a jer- sey. toilet articles and cardboard portfolio holding my writing materi- als, letters etc.
 Extra pants, shoes and shirts can be left at home and sent for when needed or easily bought in any town.
 It is not necessary to pack a tent If you intend to sleep in the open, why not really sleep in the open, you can always anchor near house and if it should rain go to the porch or make for the barn. The owners will always forgive you the next morning. when they learn who you are. Some morn ings l have luckily been invited to a hot breakfast,
 You do not have. to pack load of grub unless you are to cross desert. Edibles can be purchased in nearby towns as needed each day.-Jack Mac Milan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

has always been the idea of many boys who are. scouts. The news is fresher Gust a week old) and the boys can, see what is coming off a little earlier than before. In previous times some news has had to be stale and nine days old. But now, to keep pace with all things modern the page has been put on a plane of progress where it belongs, and where We will strive to keep 1t.
 HORACE MKNIGHT.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
Judge Hoyt Says
 Fewer Bad Boys

Judge Franklin Chase Hoyt. presid- ing justice of the children's court re- gently issued statement that juve- nile delinquency Is decreasing year by year in, New York city. The inn proved condition of affairs he traces to the work of Boy Scouts. church. community movements and other agencies, striving to help youth find fteelf in the right way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

a number of dark horse" candidates for the various offices. At present we have no secretary, but hope to elect one tonight. The old secre tary dropped out of the troop. The offices of president, vice president. secretary treasurer. senior patrol leader, and scribe will see some scuf- fling, although there is never a hard struggle for the office of scribe.
 Anyone interested in the contests is invited to be present. Come to the Woodlawn Methodist church, Fifty fourth street and First avenue We meet on the ground floor. The meeting is generally called to order at 7;30 D. m.
 HORACE MKNIGHT.
 Reuortar
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
He's q Scout

His step is brisk and snappy, His face is bright and happy His motto in his mind is, "Be Prepared" He does good turn daily, And he does it smiling gay And by every who knows him 'tis declared, That he's manly, keen and clean, And it's plainly to be seen That he's confident and knows what he's about And if this should need explaining, It's because he's new in training For the biggest things in life. for he's scout.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

I walked around where I could see him. and what do you suppose he was Gong? He was cleaning out a small hcle away up on the tree. In and out he hoped, dropping bits of dead wood each time, but Peter was not satisfied so he challenged Billy again. And again the feathers flew.
 Billy Gave Up
 This time poor Billy got licked and gave up. Then Peter took up Billy's job and applied his bill to the wood, making the hole larger, and finally hopped inside. Looking at Billy, he seem ed to say, ''Well, old fellow, you got enough?" All the while poor Billy sat downcast on small limb near by, and l suppose we might add Peter Peckerwood married and lived l,appy forever after. This is sho' ruff story. JOHN SAUNDERS,
 Patrol Leader Troop 7S
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

to attain his goal. He takes pride in this spirit and climbs the hill under his own power, not under the power and doing of others. He puts full faith in himself and builds his castle on the foundation of persis- tency. He stands for the square deal, for all that is just in life. and in standing for these principles he stands for what his entire organiza- ton represents.
 Remember the Movement
 Fellow scouts, be a real true scout and try to the best of your ability to live up to the high standards of the Boy Scouts. Scouting will be great for you and you will enjoy it all the more. Don't! Don't do any thing that will cast reflection on the Boy Scouts of America. Live as a true scout should and put into practice the scout principles and you will win out in the long run. Don't give up the ship until it sinks"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24


 One of the objects of the Boy Scout organization Is to teach self-reliance and consistency: to stick to prop osition till 1t Is accomplished; to use Encouragement as an impetus toward that accomplishment. What finer lesson could there be? The Boy Scout is taught to carry his own load without murmur without pull ing 8 long face" or falling by the wayside; and to carry 1t without finch.
 Another Motto
 Though the Boy Scouts motto Is 'Be Prepared" we might supple ment it with still another: Don't give up the ship till the whistle blows"
 Take the average scout. What is failure to him? He Is taught to smile at defeat. He hits all the harder, more determined than before
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
Good for Milwaukee

In 1921. the Milwaukee scouts won 1.02S merit badges. Moreover the city has S5 Eagle Scouts. 8 very fair num- Der all things considered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
TROOP FIVE

Troop did not have a scout meet
 Ing last Friday night. Instead they all went to the movies. week or so ago troop won, by selling the most tickets to the Boy Scout picture show at local theatre, four free passes. So they used one of the passes last Friday night. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the picture very
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
Boy Scout Work Tn Bessemer

much. Mir, J. R. Vance is scout mas ter of Troop 5.
 J0NESBORO SCOUTS
 The Boy Scouts of Jonesboro meet ing was called to order last Friday night by the president, Isom Cosper. Roll was called and about IS boys answered present. After all business was seen to, we took up a little time Tn discussing and commenting on our nike to Camp Chippawa Fellows. we had the time of our lives at Chip pawa Friday two weeks ago. Then the rest of the time was devoted to tests. About six boys stood their tenderfoot examination Two stood their second class test, and one stood first class test. These boys are making good headway in scouting now and gre standing as many of the tests as possible. They seem anxious to rise in scouting and are working hard They are planning to have an investure ceremony soon just to show the people what they are doing Just as soon as every member has stood his tenderfoot test then they will have the investure ceremony They have already sent to New York head quarters for. their troop scribe book. All but two have registered and un- til all have done so they cannot re- ceive their troop charter and number. But everyone is taking a keen inter- est in the work and they hope to be soon a registered group.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
YOUR DOG

like beings their feelings than animals often much To did primitive would endure the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
JoNEsBORc SCOUTS
 HAVE BASEBALL TEAM

The Boy scouts of Jonesboro have organized a baseball team and are getting in some good practice War rick Saunders is coaching the team and he hopes to put out q good team to play against the other Scout troops in Bessemer. They have somS gaod material in the troop for base-alf. and many of the boys are try1~-< out to make the team Mir Ellis Houston, scout master of the Jonesboro scouts. is manager of the team, while Melvin Dean was elected captnin Their first game will be aSsia.~ eA~- hsedore Boy Scouta.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
The Fighting Spirit

himself utter failure in life because he that compel
 hadn't the wheel He lacked that virtue ytay important
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
w JCn 4 YIC DOV OCOITS AV OUGY 4 OCOYI
The Ghost House
By MIGNoN HALL

suddenly Scout Robert andon stopped in the middle of the 
 He his forehead he felt like stamping his foot with
 might had been for the thing Saturday and the night before the most magnificent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

first class fellows thrown in for good measure.
 If the Scout organization of Bir- mingham had an unlimited supply of men like MT. Saunders who would take the part in scout work that he does, what a benefit and help it would be to the Boy Scouts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

Wonder what kind of problem these Scouts against? Looks pretty serious, doesn't it?
 "cambed" their pockets ltng slightly back their heads and that ad expression their faces "Well" Bll 'Ive bad for Jack.'
 shoot replies Jack M can't be bad that can't through another"
 r Williams he's to throw all out of the troop if don't advance scout work by the first of May
 won't the fellows will we'll than that we'll up the first class scouts"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
By WARRICK SAUNDERS
 Scout Instructor
TROOP FOUR

Troop f. Bessemer, had short bus mess session last meeting. Good order prevailed. Twenty boys have been enrolled in Troop 4-f6 of them being present hast Friday. Two new mem- bers were voted in and two more ap- piled for membership. All dues were collected and after all business was attended to. the meeting was turned entirely over to the boys and good time enjoyed by all Games of all kinds were played.
 Is Eldest
 Troop is the oldest troop in Bes- semer and from it sprang up the other troops. The boys doing their best to make a good showing in Bes semer as real true scoLts--scouts that Bessemer will be proud of. Mr. C.. good man for scouting and loved by all his boys.
 MIR. ROY,s TROOP
 The Boy Scouts under the leader ship of Mir Roy had quite an inter- esting meeting last Friday night Twenty boys compose Mir. Roy's troop. Sixteen answered roll call last Fri day. Good order prevailed through out the meeting. After all matters of. business were seen to the rest of the time was devoted to giving tests. All l6 boys stood their tenderfoot exam nations. These boys, too. have the true scout spirit-proving it when the entire Is passed their tenderfoot test --ther first step in scouting. Good for the boys of Mir. Roy's troop, Here is wishing you worlds of success in the scout field. Mir. Roy's troop is a new troop in Bessemer and. not being yet registered at national headquar- ters in New York. they have not re- ceived their troop charter and troop number. However, it won't be long before they will be a registered troop
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
TROOP EIGHT

Troop s. Bessemer. had good meeting last Friday night The boys responded readily to their parts on the program. Ninteen boys answered roll call. short business meeting was held. Then there was a social good time for all. The boys took up some drill work and marching After wards came some very exciting foot races These were held out in the street just outside the meeting place. After the foot races. boxing was en- loved by all. MT. Gordon L. Ham rick is the scout master of troop s, From troop troop s originated
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

and ready to get down to brass tacks." Keep on. Don't quit,
 MIR. J. H. BOTTOMS SCOUT TROOP
 No news was received from MT. Bottoms troop of Boy Scouts this week. This is also a new troop in Bessemer and is trying to set a fast pace in scouting to catch up with the rest of the troops in Bessemer. This troop has not been registered at New York headquarters, thus has not re- ceived it's troop number Just the same the boys are showing good signs of becoming scouts. They have splen- did material and the prospects look fine. Good luck to MT. Bottoms and his boys Keep the pace up, boys, and you will succeed Don't give up. Keep on. Remember the boy. man. girl or woman who goes on and keeps trying is the one who will win out every time. Don't give up the ship until the ship sinks. When you get discouraged. think of your scout oath and your scout obligations. Never let your pep die.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

much MT. J. R. Vance is scout mas
 ter of Troop 5.