davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
SONGS TO EXCHANGE.

Ranger, Texas.--Dear Mistress Prim-
rose: will give you few lines from my
pen this morning. / differ with Maurice
Smith about the little foolish letters. You
should know that it is not an easy matter
for a child 10 write entertaining letters. In
stead of criticising them you should en-
courage them. Eddie Norris, congratu-
late you on the bird contest. Nicholas
Belden, also congratulate you; also those
who were on the roll OF honor Guy Fa-
gems letter about the Chinese funeral was
all right. guess 1t is curiosity to watch
them. Is not our band growing fast? We
all ought to learn. | wonder what our
next contest will be? A fruit contest would
be nice or what animal is the most useful
TO mankind. l would like to exchange
songs with some Of the Haps. To any one
who will send me Nellie Gray After
the Ball." Two Little Girls In Blue l
will send in return THE Little Brown
Jug" Take Back the Heart do They
Think OF Me at Home" or any that have.
I will close for this time. true Hap,
Willie G. Flourn0y.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
pEcANs ARE PLENTIFUL.

Eagle Springs, Texas, November dear
Mistress Primrose: will write again after
a long absence. have been reading Ihe
Post and like 1t splendidly. Some OF the
Hans letters are very interesting. PecaIs
are plentiful in this country We nave
gathered about ten bushels this season and
are still gathering. was sorry ] WASH
in the. bird contest. but ! will try ana pc
In the next one. would like to know what
the Christmas contest is going TO be-
wish you would tell US now, SO we coula
study on 1t and have good lists ! think II
would be a nice contest on which 10 the
pleasantest season in the year. mistress
primrose, / would like to know how much
a cripple's chair costs and where DO you
send and get them? was sorry didn :
gel any help from you. but l Will try and
get one somehow. would like to ex.
change the song Diamonds In the Rough
for Sweet Forget Me-Not." Well, Haps,
r,,ess YOU all will get tired reading ncn-
sense. I know 1t IL against the rules 70
write with a lead pencil. but ! hope my
letter will miss the waste basket. for !
haven't any ink at present, but will have
some by the next time write. Hoping 70
see my letter in print will close by ask
ing a riddle: What animal has the power
~ changing its color? A true Hap.
- Arthur Weathershy.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
L1Kns run corNrRY.

Hoadsville. Texas. Dear Mistress Prim-
rose Here comes another little hoy to
Join your happy band AM IL years old
live In the country: like TO I've here
very much. My papa Is farmer upd
raises lots Of cotton and corn TO the most
OF my vacation Is spent in the cotton
patch. though cotton picking is q thing OF
the past In this country. My school com
menoes Monday the 9th instant. Ny
teachers name In Mss Lena George; like
her very much she Ii one OF our neighhor
girls. My papa takes The Post and like
10 read the Haps' letters; always read
them first AMI am always glad to see The
Post. Eddie Morris, { Join the many In
congratulating you on tho bird contest,
think Nicholas Beldop's suggestion a good
one: think II would be very nice for every
Hap TO wear the black ribbon for month
when any Of the club dies. / am sorry
was prevented from io!nng the club before
the bird contest closed / will answer
Mary Wccms riddle; IT'S n watch VIII
also answer Myrtle Wood; It's the letter NJ.
Now ! will give the Hsps riddle Round
as a biscuit and yellow as gold born be-
fore Moses and isn't month old. As this
is my first attempt. WIN close with much
love for Mistress Primrose and all tho
Hnps. will say al reyoir.
Edgar Woods.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
LOVES THE AUTUMN.

MONDAY. Texus---Dcar Mistress Primrose:
Very much to my regret. notice that
some of the Iiape are losing interest in the
page. Now, | am indeed sorry Of this. bnt
think can very we'll understand the sit
uatjon. We are all In school and (some OF
us) are quite busy with our studies, there
fore fiji ding little time TO write, out no
think we could spare just little time at
night after we have studied all OF our ies-
sons. 10 write TO the Happyhammcla. IN
fact. Mira. Primrose. think that we should
act apart each night 0nc-half hour an
hour. or any length OF time we wish = Tor
reading, writing, etc. Then tbis would give
us plenty OF time. Really, beneve mat
the reason for the loss OF interest is the
fact that each week we have the same old
thing. witch at first was quite interesting,
but thls has been the same old tale for 10
long that Il has grown stale. ana thinN
we pued something new. Now, wiii say
that Mistress Primrose expresses my sen-
timenis exactly In her article concerning
composition, etc. What we need, Haps, N
something lively. something fresh and.
above all. something instructive; to-,
Mistress Primrose suggests real nice SUD
feet. Autumn In Texas" but for the pres
ont | will postpone that subject. ! think
that. besides compositions, We could also
have debates VIII gay that I don't like
the idea OF following the Dal-Gol News ~
anything Whatsoever. but ! wish 10 crii
| the Hans attention 20 the young peoples
page n that paper They have real nice
| debet1s. We could have them, too--we
must have them. Take. for instance. this
subject: Resolved. That the Naturaliza.
ton Laws Of Our Country Are Unjust. \
Now, there IL plenty Of argument on either
aide. Put this IN The hands OF gcod wrters
and debaters. and we could get great deal
out OF H. But now win get back TO Mis-
tress Primrose's subject. Autumn In
Texas" am. indeed. glad this subject
came UP fest when It did. for really had
been thinking about autumn for several
days This morning al our grammar class.
Mr. BfrdweIl, our teacher. had ME TO dia-
gram this sentence: "rbe sweet but fad
ing graces Of inspiring autumn open Inc
mind TO beneyolence and disposes u for cons
Temptation" How much truth Is there IN
| that beautiful sentence! Then again today
| Mr. Blrdweil expressed my sentiments per-
| fectiy when he sell, II believe autumn y.
beyond doubt, the most pleasant season o.
the yesr" Perhaps you remember thai ~
my last letter expressed mysesf 10 The
very Same words. Nov. lets compare ~
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14

bpyhammers are the young
read the Youths Department
klston Post. There are no fees
t. of any kind connected with the
and girls who read The Post
hrolled as active members by
|me, age and address.
|object of all Happyhammers to
happiness when and wherever
Hence the club name and motto.
Iower Is the violet. the club tree
and the club pet is the mock
4 being chosen by the members
The favorite dog of the Hap
s is the Scotch collie, or shep-
colors are rose and gray. These
intended to be worn with or
e club button or pin. They are
badge by pinning or sewing
ko pieces OF narrow ribbon. one
X and the other of light gray.
button is made of celluloid. The
White. with the words Houston
Club" painted in violet color.
hover is engraved in the center
boiet color. The letter 81" is in
on each side of the violet. IT
bretty little badge and will be
III Happyhammer upon the re-
cents. In ordering a button,
bur letters to the Haphammer,
Post, Houston, Texas.
N new subscriber sent by
inner for the Semi-Weekly Post,
ton will be given free. The sub
buried can be either for three
X months or a year; no matter
The three 1t is, your badge will
lou anything. When sending q
send your letter to the bust
of The Post.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
rs CATCHING up AGAIN.

Austin. Texas.--Dear Mistress i'rim-
rose: was bothered about getting Tho
Post while out in the country. but won't
lay the blame on the quarantine. have
succeeded IN getting most OF the back
numbers. and among them Is the one that
tells OF the death OF one Of the members
OF our club. II is SO sad 10 ehink that one
so young has been called across the dark
and dreaded river. but let IN hope that she
found II TO be "only a little brook" and
that He who says Suffer little children to
come unto Me" went with her all the way,
My mother Ia In heaven and am sure that
she was there with 4 sweet smile OF well
come when our little angel Happyhammer
entered at the beautiful gate, 40 / look
over the letters Of ne HAps Ssee that
am away behind. for many OF them mem
ton letters that have missed, but hope
TO be able 70 catch up again soon. mink
the contest We now have IL the beht OF all.
and am sure most II not all the Iiaps Will
be interested. | will get down some Of
the oldihistories and shake the dust out OF
them now. but In the meantime ! viii cast
my vote for Oliver Crom%eli. No doubt
the Prairie Fairys suggestion that the LETT
tiers be published uncorrected would be
very good, but | expecs It would be too
much for poor me to see one Of my best
efforts placed before the public without the
touch OF the magic wand that our editress
wieids so judiciousIy. When / first read
Of Prairie Fairy riding broom thought
would protest against ~, for you know
witches ride broome. but when found that
she was TO ride one OF Carts broons l
changed my mind. l hope Carl is not too
busy 10 write 10 US once in awhile. pass
the blind institution sometimes and II al
ways reminds me OF Carl and / wonder II
be is doing well with his new machine.
certainly hope so. I had one letter writ
ten about man putting up stovcpipe.
but my descriptive powers are too feeble
to make success Of it, This stoyepipe
was different from all others that have
| ever seen. II had a wasp's nest In II. and
instead OF him putting It up he put II down
about a. quick ~ . person generally does
such things. Z wonder what has become
| Of Roeabelle Kitchen. Celina Magill. Rusua
| Of Coryicana and q number OF other Hape
that wrote such nice letters during the
| plant contesty AZ / sat In the depot moi
/ very long ago noticed couple OF aged
people sitting near. me. and they seemed
| IN at ease. but before ] decided what e
| do q merry looking lad walked up and
| asked II BIO could be Of any service to them
rhey told him that they came 70 On iats
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
STUDIES HARD.

Ellinger, Texas.--Dear Mistress Primrose:
Win you allow another boy IL FEARS old
to Join your happy circle OF boys ana girls !!
/ am going to school at Ellnger and am IN
the sixth grade. l like to go to school
very much. ! walk to school. 1t Is about
two miles. We have to start OUT early
every morning. DO that we won't come too
late. The sun Is always down when
get home. Then have to still chuck 100
ears of corn. Then get my supper ana
then study awhile or read The Post, any
how the Mondays Semi Weekly Post, be-
cause it contains the children's letters.
This ends my daily work.
| think the plant contest was very in
teresting. If | would have been -nembsr
that time | guess / would have voted for
rice. because my brother Henry Boyer
voted for that plant.
The bird contest was also very interest
ing. There were so many good stories
about BIRDS. AS this is my iirst attempt
L will close for this time. I'll come again
with a better letter. Your new friend,
Herman w. Boyer.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
FUNNY SCHOOL, STORY.

Houston. Texas--Dear Mistress primrose:
Here come again. since wrote iasl !
have changed 81 hools. now go TO the
Hamilton Street school. ! find II very
nice. though ] dreaded to leave my old
teachers and frisnds OF the Longfeilow
school.
Nicholas Beldsn. know Jennie Roberts
ynu write very interesting letters. Write
again sos.n; also Dora Cordell.
The answer 70 Aunda Jones riddle Is a
newspaper. To Mar Wsems "a waten,
4 suppose you all are very fona Q. s1n-
ries. am. Here IL short nu' nunor-
GUS, one:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
SURROUNDED BY WOLVES.

Thorndale, Texas.---Dear Mistress Prim-
rose: AS l see so many nice Interesting
letters from the Haps In The Post
thought would write one. | have been
out in West Texas and like 1t very we'll.
OF course. it Is very thinly sStled, but the
people that are there are awful good. Our
postoffice was thirty-fve miles away, and
we never got our mail twice day, but
got II only once every week or two.
like to hunt and drive cattle and camp out
at night. but did not like 10 herd much at
night and see and hear the wolves howl
around close to me at first. but soon got
use 10 that. went wolf hunting with some
other boys and we killed two large ones
one evening. should think 1t would make
most any one, that was not used 10 II, feel
little curious to sleep out on the prairie
by their own self and see and hear the
wolves howl around them. I was out hunt
ing cattle one day and Started home late,
but got lost, and night came on and got
too dark to see how to travel. / got down
CT of my horse and eat the rest of my
lunch and took my saddle blanket aud
made me a pallet on the grass but 1t was
not long until the wolves began TO howl
and woke me. They never bothered me,
but never slept any more that night. Next
morning at daylight ! began to look for
home / rode around for an hour or more
and saw light In house about two miles
from me- went there and 1t was Mr..
Jones' house. told him about getting lost
and stayed out all night and he laughed
and said that was nothing, but ! thought
i il was something. as was not used 10
getting lost. and | think some OF you Haps
will agree with me. was just ten miiel
| from home. | eat breakfast and started
| home I got home at noon ! don't think
| will ever forget that night. the first night
| | ever got lost. have never voted In any
| of the contests yet, as we have Just begun
taking The Post like to read the Hafs
| letters. I think The Post is an awful good
! paper and believe most all who read II
| think the same. am 10 years old. Oul
4 school will start In few weeks II this
| docs not find It's way TO the waste basket
may write again. Success to The Post ant
Haps. Respectfully,
/ Henry Shoemaker.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
rp,p no TILE MOUNTAINS.

Gonzales. Texas--Deer Mistress Prim-
rose: Is your band too large TO admit OF
another member? thought perhaps some
OF the little Haps would IKE 70 near .l'ln
Gonzales. We have quite number Of
marry boys and girls here, but have never
sesn any OF their names among the haps.
viii tsll you Of our trip to the mountsies
last summer. We lett hcms tho w -
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14

Tor the Insect to die When Tie apongoa
Are beaten with smaii sticks and the
black. slntiHous s0bstancs tails IN. lsav-
ing tina sponge, after thogopgh wNshin6,
ready for market. TO the hshor:nen gen
orally. the occupation h not Z lucrative
one. an told The Wages VIII hardly
Avcraxe - per weak. besides board, There
- but little diving FOR sponErs. except
fer particular hne bunch. which can not
be gotten with the hook. The sponge ID
formed By small insects, and Is tho hive
In which they live. pitgercnt qualities are
found growing aldo by side. although In
certain REGIONS the hucr and morn valuable
aronges are found.
Now. dear Hsps. have told what I
know Abo,it spongss. Can not rome Of
you dcacrlbe the manufacture Of lead pen-
cilsg
Guy Fassn's last letter was real inter-
Getting. I wonder II all the Chinese ACT
90 curious as thoee In Chinatownf II h
said that the food person likes has an
effect on their moraas and spnsos. 10 l
think that II II IL rice that causes the
Chinese to be 30 simple. we had better
let rico alone for while, anyway, for I
am sure there IN not any cf us that would
like TO be "a simple az Chinaman.
Well, Haps, a. this 10 my nrst letter,
cloes.
Too long staycd--forgive the crime
unheedcd ncw the hours.
How noiseiess falls tho foo. Of time.
That only trcads on ncwers!
Goodbye 70 all. An unknown Hap.
Hester Harris.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
HAP TALKS.

Letters Received on Ac-
int of the Quarantine.
bps: Here in Houston we have
ing delightful weather. We had
5rest. but 1t did no damage and
still in full bloom. A few days
I'D chrysanthemum show for
Of the de Pelchin Faith Home.
Feat 10 see all those lovely fiow-
only wish that all the lIaps
Seen it. The Faith Home is q
te lirue children ere taken care
ire many poor women who have
living for themselves and their
When they go out to work they
ke the little ones with them, SO
aced at the home where they are
ID taken care of. Mrs. de Pei
founded the home, named 1t
4e. She said in a letter to Mrs.
written some years ago, when
Rrted the, home, but hadn't named
b day she was out of money and
distressed. She prayed for as
nd that, day it came and she
Faith Home because she had
er prayers had been answered.
nth We are going to have big
the Fruit, Flower and Vegeta-
bal, December 6 to IL. We ex-
Ve beautiful flowers of all kinds,
fruits and vegetables. BY this
Pple will see what autumn in
They will learn what a wonder
We live in and see what ma
aided and used by man. can do,
will Come to Houston then to
low. There will be big pro-
ID that will be a fine show in
2 several interesting letters this
members Of the club and q
!comers are welcomed to oul
be arc beginning 10 look up thei,
that they can write about Their
aracters and others are writing
In Texas, telling of the weather
OF animals and birds, the laying
harvest and the return OF sch0o
rly every Hap likes TO go t.
they all love their teachers
ws that We have bright bant
boys and girls.
PIX l explained that We had 81
ests for help and SO many sug
at We could not single out tn,
wing, so We arranged to hay,
stmas Offering which will clos
Der IL. This will give us ;
which to receive the donations
ps and then We VIII have tw,
Which to select and forward on
present to a dozen unfortunat
know that all who contribute
pde happy In knowing they ar
end then those who receiv
presents viii feel that SAINT
not passed them by and that al
dark after all. 4 little later
contributions come in, the name
Is Of donations viii be printe
page.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
PLAYED THEY WERE INDIANS.

townsville, Texas. --Dear Mistress Prim-
rose: Hurry up, Mistress Primrose, and
open the door. 1t is so cold on the outside
Of the band of Haps. oh, 1t Is 80 eozy and
nice inside. 1t feels like new world to go
to writing and reading is ten times better
know you all think ! am greedy, but /
can't stand to stay away long at time.
get so lonesome. Will tell you all what
"a nice time | had with several of my
cousins (boys.) They played the Indian
war dance. They dressed up in Indian
like clothes and one got in the middle and
the rest formed a circle and the one in
the middle beat the drum aud the ones
around him sang the regular Indian song.
And then every once and while they
would stop and just talk away Just like
Indians. one OF the boys lived in the Iu-
dian Nation. where the Indians are plent-
full. Well. ] expect nearly all OF the boys
and girls have started to school now, and
have not much time to write. How do you
all like flowers? I'll bet am the biggest
crazy that ever lived over flowers, espe-
cially pansits, violets and roses; and pic
lures, don't mention 1t. l have little box
just level full of cards am getting up a
menagerie box and l want you all to send
me something to put in 1t II IL Is nothing
but your name on a piece of paper / will
keep It, and by the time II Is full, its value
to me will be 500. / want something from
Guy Pagan, but I want every Hap TO sand
me something. How do you all like 10 piece
quilts. Oh my goodness. If there is any
/ thing | hate 10 do 1t lis to piece quilts.
will answer j w. Flourney's riddle: The
reason that rheumatism Is like window
glass is because 1t is a painful. Well 1
must close for this time. Yours as ever,
| Daisy Blossom.
| p. Send the little keepsakes in care
| OF postmaster at this place
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
AUTUMN IN HOUSTON.

Houston, Texas. Lear Mistress Prim-
rose: Autumn Us here with It's chilling
blast. The farmer gathers his crop; his
barns win be full and the fields bare. WHAT
thoughts come TO us In autumn, when We
see that tho leaves that have done tne'r
part begin TO fall and are tosscd to the
Will oi tho cold wind. One by ono they iail
from the trees. leaving thcm naked. the
sun that beamed 80 bright goes down. AMI
before the close OF day It's light ~ duii ana
gray. In autumn we have All saints DAY
and All Souls day--thc days dedicated 10
our dear departed Then comes ThanNs-
giving with Its Ans turkey and ordntcrfy
eauce Jack Frost was quite welcome. ~.
though his coat was not very heavy. lie ~
ma ~ oar autumn visitors, What benu-
iiful sight In the morning 10 SEQ the roo1R
covered with tho white. frosty mantle. IN
the fall we Rave nice pecans, all sorts OF
nuts to make our fruit cake, nne apptss.
cranes and oranges, lovely flowers ana iine
game II is a busy season for tue FARMER,
rs All his grains arc sent 10 marker. COT
ton TO tho gin and sugar cane 70 the Hnsar
house TO be made into sugar ana mo'nssea.
thereby giving employment 10 thousands
of men. Autumn Ia the foggy season, NC
morning | went out 10 nok at the Toe
and glanced at the opposite siue OF lne
street we're they we're building. ] could
hear the hammering b,It could roe no onc.
GRADUALLY the fog rose. thon ] could sec
tho forms of the men at work Ihey
seemed tn DO Mt great distnnce~-hs y
enoircled In dim miHt just as one wouiu
soc IN n panorama. All ut once the fos
rose and could sec them plainly.
Nicholas pelden.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
HAS PRETTY PETS.

sunnyside. Texas.--paar Mistress Prim-
rose: ! would like to jain ycar hsppy 1T
tie circle. am 10 years old | don't 20
to school any more, Ny mamma and papa
went to Nelsonyille yesterday, and they
won't bo back until the last Of this week,
win some of the little IIaps please send
me these two songs. milwaukee, Fire
and why Docs Mother Stay So Long," |
will send some OF my songs In return. |
will ask one riddle: What is the first thing
gardener puts ir the gardenf I worder
Gid ELLA Manan got my letter which wrote
to her las. year IN December? | have a
little white pct dog. and little goat |
have r,inc geraniuns. but think the frcst
Will XII them. have two brothers and
two sisters: 10th OF my sisters are mar
ried. Papa is through hauling his corn We
will have our bnuse painted and papered. I
think. l must close for my first time;
fear the waste basket. am, Your little
Hap. Ollie Ncckert.