davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
OATMEAL WAS HER ANSWER.
Kindergarten Pupils Solution of What
the Trunk of the Body Contained.

A kindergarten teacher in the StuyveSant
Heights district closed her school at tie
appointed time this season. but before do
ing so she thought it would be a good time
on the last morning to give the children a
final little lecture on the care of the body.
She did this, she explained. in order that
the little tots might know how to take good
care Of themselves during the summer va
cation. The class was quite a large one,
and in its membership were a number Of
bright little folks. among them Dorothy,
| the four-year-old daughter of an uptown
druggist.
The teacher had the little folks name over
the different parts of the body, the heart,
lungs and trunk, but it was with some
difficulty that she could get any of the chill
dren to name the stomach. The little folks
understood what the trunk was, and thAn
the teacher wanted to know what the trunk
contained, as it was important to the lee
ture that she give points regarding the care
of the stomach. Persistent inquiries failed
to arrive at the naming of the important
organ. and it looked like a lecture failure,
when the teacher again anxiously inquired:
What is in the trunk?'
Up went little Dorothys hand and. snap
ping her thumb and finger. she called out:
Il know, teacher. l know
"Well. what is it?
Oatmeal said Dorothy, and the lecture
was over.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
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NA44a~<. !
9sz Il


the revolutionary war. excepting that now
there is tobacco store kept in it. in front.
where there was an upholsterer's shop in
revolutionary days The number of the
and twenty-one years ago this house was
the home of Betsy Ross. the woman who
made the first national flag for coun-
try She a good needlewoman and
helped her husband in his upholstery bust
ness, and 1t was probably for this reason
that General Washington was directed to go
to her about making the flag.
For it was General Washington, with two
other noted men, who came to the little
brick house in June, 1777, to ask Betsy
Ross to make an American flag.
Today you may walk into the little par
Tor back of the shop and see its tiles, and
small-paned windows, and solid oak floor.
just as it was when General Washington
sat and talked about making the flag with
Betsy Ross century ago. He had brought
with him rough sketch on paper. He
wanted the flag to be red. white and blue.
He wanted 1t to have thirteen stripes first
a red and then a white one, and thirteen
white stars on blue field in the upper cor
ner next the Flagstaff.
The thirteen stars, thirteen stripes stood
for thirteen StateS-the thirteen colonies
which meant to be free from English rule
You may notice that the stars on our
flag have five points each. 1t is said that
! in the rough drawing which General Wash
ington showed Mrs. Ross the star shown
had six points like the star used in English
heraldry. Betsy Ross thought that We
might use instead the five-pointed star used
by the French, who were willing to help
the Americans against the English. To
show the visitors what she meant Betsy
Ross folded a piece of paper and with a
single clip of her sharp scissors made a
perfect f1ve-pointed star They thought 1t
a good idea, and General Washington re-
drew the pattern of the flag with pencil
Today the stars on our flag are arranged
in even rows. but at first the stars We're
placed in a circle.
Congress adopted the flag which Betsy
Ross made as the American flag on June
IA, 1777.
Afterward Betsy Ross had an order to
make all the government flags. Her daugh-
There is a story that Betsy Ross made en-
broidered ruffieS for General WashingtOnS
fine cambria shirts, but We do not know
that 1t was true
If you go to old Christ Church in Phila-
delphia you see a pew on the north aisle
with a tiny American flag placed on 1t.
This is to show that mo. 12' was the pew
where Betsy Ross sat at church long years
ago. A brass plate on the pew tells that
the fla gmaker sat there. The 14th of June
is now called flag day in Philadelphia.
Flags fly from the windows of many houses
all over the city, and on that day many
visitors go to look at Betsy Ross house and
take children to see where the first Ameri-
can flag made.
(By Jean Fraley Hallowel, in Little Folks)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18

left one on the right foot, and the right one
on the wrong foot
And so he had, but he couldn't stop to
change them.
He put on his rubber coat and little sailor
cap without any trouble.
Now l must have an umbrella, he said,
so he took the biggest one in the umbrella
rack. 1t had a broken rib, and Hoped
down on one side, but he didn't mind that;
and he stuck it under his arm and went out
closing the door very softly.
He raised his umbrella as soon as he
could, and marched up and down the yard
few times. Then he spied a nice little
puddle Of water down by the gate.
"Oh, what a teenty little pond!' he cried
How 1 wisht | had boat Praps could
md one And he started for the wood
shed as fast as his fat little legs would car
ry him.
In few minutes he came out dragging
an old soap box behind him. 1t was about
as much as he could do to hold the umbrel-
la and drag the box, and he was all out OF
breath when he got back to the pond. But
he was a brave boy, and he wouldn't stop to
rest till he had pushed the box into the wa
ter, and put little piece of board across
the top for seat. Then he got into the
boat and held the umbrella over his head
with both hands
My, wasn't 1t fun! Water over him, wa
ter under him, water all around him; and
he was dry as a crust Of bread.
Mamma couldn't helm laughing, when she
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18

spectfuly. Indeed he would; and l was
wondering where | could obtain it.
Mr.. Harvey thought little of it. supposing,
of course. the boy earned few pennies in
this manner; and therefore he offered him
bit of silver, and was astonished to see him
refuse It,
Il would like you to take it," he said.
looking earnestly at the child. and obServ-
ing for the first time that he lmped slight
".
Indeed, sir, | don't want 1t. 1t is little
enough l can do for myself any one. L
am lame, and my back is bad, sir; and
mother says. no matter how small a favor
may seem, If it is all we are capable of,
God loves it as much He does a very
large favor; and this is the most l can do
for others. You see, the distance from
gainesville is eight miles to this spot; and
happen to know there Is no stream cross
ing the road that distance. and the houses
are all some distance from the road: and so,
almost every one passing here from that
place Is sure to have thirsty horse
Mr.. Harvey looked down into the gray
eyes that were kindling and glowing with
the thought of doing good to others, and
a moisture gathered in his own. as mo-
ment later he logged off. bordering deep
ly upon the quaint little sermon that had
been delivered so innocently and unexpect-
edly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
The Tailor Bird.

This wonderful bird lives in India. 1t has
a beak shaped very much like a shoemakers
awl. The little bird is entirely yellow in
color, and is ony three inches long 1t de-
rives its name from the way in which it
makes its nest-it selects a large leaf, hang
ing from the end OF a twig, then 1t pierces
a number of holes along the edge of II with
this awl-like beak and then gets the long
fibers of plants. which make excellent
thread. and carefully sews the edges to-
gether like purse or bag, using its bill for
a needle to carry the thread through. The
ends of the thread are knotted. to en-
tirely prevent them from slipping through
the leaf. The stalk end Of the leaf is bent
and crushed SO as to form a hood over the
opening of the nest. protecting it from the
sun and the rain. But what is very strange,
when the leaf is not large enough to make
the nest, this bright little bird gets an
other leaf. pierces 1t with holes and pieces
the two leaves together. The interior Of
the nest is lined with cotton and silky
grass making very snug and comfortable
home for the little birds. The bird and it's
nest full of eggs are so very light that they
can be suspended from the end of a slender
twig. Would it not be interesting to watch
this little tailor selecting the leaves and the
thread, and then piercing the holes ready
to sew the leaves together to make for it
self comfortable little home?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18

came looking for the little runaway, he
looked so droll.
"Oh, mammal he cried. I'm going to
Coney Island. Won't you come in my little
boat with me?"
II can't stop today" said mamma, allie
has just walked up and Is crying for
brother"
Then l spects I'll better come in," said
Clarence, I'm bout tired Of riding in my
boat alone So he began to climb out.
But dear me! I don't know how it hap
pened, but one end Of the boat went up,
and the little sailor went down, head fore
most, into the pond. OF course. the water
wasn't deep, and mamma picked him up in
a minute.
"Oh! oh!' cried Clarence suffering and
wiping his mouth. Il dess I swallowed
bout all that pond, an my hands feel
dredful slippery"
But after mamma had washed his face
and hands and changed his muddy clothes
for clean ones, Clarence felt happy again.
II wonder why my little boy didn't ask if
he could go out" said mamma, as she was
brushing his wet, curly hair.
II didn't like to 'sturb you," said Ciar-
ence. AN sides, l thought p'raps you
wouldn't say yes
Then mamma told him he must never go
out in the rain again without asking her.
And Clarence promised. Il never will.
mamma, honest"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18

These books are being selected for the
Sunshine" "Children's League" and other
children's libraries by request, by Mrs.
Hogan, who is assisted by an able board of
readers and Well-known educators who be-
lieve with her that the secret of success in
children's libraries lies more in the person
atty of the librarian and in the elimina-
ton of harmful tendencies than In the act
i've direction of children's tastes. The chill
dren themselves are arbiters in many in
stances after the books have been exam
ined carefully. The publication OF this list
will be continued permanently. and later
be issued in book form. The first selections
appeared in The Star of October 4.
10 The Wonderful Chair. I and 2.
30 Story of Patsey, Kate Douglas Wig
gin. / and .
y. Oriole Stories, Lane. l and 2.
-. Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks With a
Circus, Otis. 3.
% Bimbi; Stories for Children. Ouida. 3.
"a Tales of an Old Chateau, Bouvet 4.
% Jackanapes. Ewing. 5.
% Cuore; the Heart of a Boy, De Ar
mcs. A
81. Story of Collette. A.
Is The Boy Settlers, Noah Brooks. 5.
% Lolami the Little Cliff Dweller, Mrs.
Bayiss. 3.
80. Dog of Flanders. g.
81 Wilderness Ways. Long. 4.
81 Four American Pioneers, Beebe. 4.
NOTE-A stands for advanced grade;
Nos. l to 3. for first to fifth grade.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
Just Be Glad.

The day was fair and bright, and yet my heart
In all the gladness round me had share;
was oppressed; thought Of all the
And grief that in my life must have a part
And though the shining could see
No JOY In living-an was dark to me.
Sufficient for the day''-these words I heard
stranger say while passing down the street;
Never borrow trouble;"-the message sweet
felt was meant for me; my heart was stirred
With a new impulse and a strength divine;
/ saw earth's beauty and the glad sunshine
Be cheerful. and never mind tomorrow;
Pursue the even tenor Of your way
Through we'll or Ill; be happy when you may.
Think not Of the trouble and the sorrow
Ths future has In store. but Just be glad;
Enjey today-tomorrow may be sadl
HENRY COYLE
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18

WORD
Supply a word of four letters in each
| blank. The letters are the same in each
on Johnny Jackstraw.
How - you refuse?
/ shall call - mamma.
Hist. Which do you choose?
CONUNDRUMS
l. When is a trunk like two letters of the
alphabet?
2 What word of one syllable if you take
two letters from it remains a word Of two
syllables?
3. Three letters three rivers proclaim;
Three letters an ode give to fame:
Three letters an attribute name;
Three letters a compliment claim.
4. How can you tell girl Of the name of
! Ellen that she is everything that is delight
full in eight letters?
s. Why is A like twelve o'clock?
CHARADE.
My first If sought for may be found
Down where the murmuring pines abound.
My second under hill is born.
And sometimes is a maid forlorn.'
My third in tune will always be;
My fourth Is sung in melody.
And Is, as you may know by chance,
: An article much used in France.
My whole is a most dangerous creature.
None more repusive in it's nature,
And yet my whole does charming prove
To those who rapid motions love.
Now. if your wit you find too scanty
To make 1t out go ask Papanti
NUMERICAL PUZZLE.
/. % is a domestic animal: is vowel;
6 Z 8 to ascend; / 2 8 5 Z 8 Is an
animal.
. 2 8 Is to fold over: is part Of a
bird; 2 3 4 5 is a bird.
EASY CROSSWORD ENIGMA.
I am in Maine. but not In California:
am always in the honey and in the
honey bee;
You'll find me in the valley but never in
the mountain.
And always in an ocean. wherever it may
be.
In the Dead sea you will find me.
And in all rivers and all lakes,
And every dreamer has me
When he sleeps and when he wakes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18

Dear Children: Let me tell you about a
change we intend to make in our method of
giving prizes. We want to broaden the
plan so more maysenter the competitions
with the hope of winning. You will see
that today We offer prizes for the best
short stories sent in that are illustrated.
Those of You who cannot draw may illus
trate with the camera. and prize of s. will
be given to the best. Those who prefer to
send sketch that will reproduce-that is,
one done with pen and ink-may do so. and
another prize of s. Will be given for the
best of this lot sent in.
Our Wee folks are hardly able to draw
or take pictures so in order to be quite
fair to all We offer third prize to the lit
lie ones for the best story about one or all
of their pets l know that one has pet
cat. another dog, another perhaps ca
nary. and on. So let Aunt Dorothy hear
from you soon. please.
We are making another interesting
change. We do not intend to limit you to
time any more. but selections will be made
from whatever comes in during the week
following the announcement of the con-
tests. Thus week more will be required
to prepare for publication the replies that
win prizes. and still another week to have
them included in making up the page. SO
three weeks from the date of the announce
meut You may look for the names of prize
the second Saturday following the an
nouuCement OF the contest will receive con-
Sideration in some way, just as every let
ter you send is read by your editor; but by
being late you may lose the prize. SO do
not delay, but take time enough TO do your
best. Winners Of prizes need not call at
The Star office for payment of the same,
as they will be sent TO the addresses of the
prize winners.
We have been explicit about the above
in response to inquiries, and we trust each
one of you will now make effort to win
one of the prizes we shall offer from week
To week.
Let me tell you Sunshine" secret. You
remember We told YOU we had some. Place
your name age and address on the coupon
you find below and send it 10 Mrs. Hogan,
care of The Star, with a self-addressed
stamped envelope inclosed, and you will
soon receive in return a Sunshine badge
and have your names enrolled members
of Mrs Hogan'S International Children 5
League of Sunshine Juniors. at headquar-
ters, % 9TH avenue, New York. | will not
tell YOU just now why you are to do this,
but later on ! may have another pleasant
secret for you relating to this Mrs. Ho-
gan offers You twelve book prizes for the
twelve most interesting lists of good chill
dren'S books you have read. with a letter
giving reasons why you like each book you
mention. This contest will be open for two
weeks. and the names of the prize winners
Will be announced soon the selections
have been made, The prize books will be
sent to the winners from Sunshine head
quarters.
Now. dear children, you have lot to do
and think about.
Yours sincerely, DOROTHY DAY.
Children should watch for future an
nouncements of prizes in Aunt Dorothy S
letter in this corner each week.
Place name, address and answers in their
proper places on the coupon attached.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
For Our Wee Folks.
CLARENCE'S BOAT RIDE.
e. Louise Liddell.

Clarence thought 1t was the very incest
shower he ever saw in all his life The
raindrops fell SO softly-almost as though
they were afraid of hurting something. And
once in awhile, a few Of them would scam
per down the window pane. just outside of
Clarence's nose which was pressed almost
fiat against the inside of the glass.
Dear me! 1 do want to go out dreadful, -
he said.
You see. Santa Claus had brought Clar-
ence present of little rubber coat and a
pair of overshoes, and he hadn't had a
chance to wear them, once. 1t did seem too
bad. Today it was so warm. Just like
spring" he heard mamma say. Clarence
thought he really ought to go out.
He peeped into the kitchen. Mamma was
busy making cake. Baby Alice was asleep
in the cradle. Mary, the girl. had gone to
the store
Il blieve I'll have to get myself ready"
said Clarence. So he went out in the hall.
First he put on his overshoes. 1t was pref
ty hard work. and made his face pretty
red. but they were on at last. and all buck
led up. Then he put out both feet and
looked at them proudly.
"Oh. my!" he said. II dess I've dot the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
A SMART DOG.

was once the owner Of rat terrier
named Fritz. He could kill rats very fast.
and for that reason we had offers from sew
eral firms who were troubled with rats in
their warehouses. One summer when we
went on a vacation we left Fritz in care of a
colored boy. who was to come each day and
feed Fritz. The boy proved unreliable and
failed to put In an appearance to feed the
dog. Fritz gnawed the rope which held him
fast and started for the river front Near
the river front there are many large ware
houses, and most Of them abound with rats,
which the owners would be very glad to
be rid of. Fritz had often taken part In the
killing of a trap full Of rats from these
warehouses. 50 what he did to earn his din
ner was this. He went to the wharf and
killed large rat and with It in his mouth
he went to the rear door Of warehouse and
stood before the owner with the rat in his
mouth. The merchant was deceived He
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
PRINCE HAROLD.


once upon tins there lived in India a
prince named Harold This prince loved to
walk In the gardens OF the king. his father.
Now, Harold was boy who was very
thoughtful and given to solitude. One
moonlight night Harold started out for
walk IN the garden. He had only gone a
rev rods when he was arrested by the
SOUND or music. Following the enhancing
Snains' he was confronted by q scene he
mad never dreamed Of A beautiful girl.
dressed In flowing white robes and crowned
win mowers, was dancing on the grass. as
ne nao never seen any one dance before.
The music he had heard proceeded from
golden bells held in her hands. There were
many other girls around her, but Harold
seemed only to see her. He could not take
his eyes or her. He stood as a statue.
gazing at her. till suddenly she turned. and
as she did so she caught sight of him. She
blushed and turned away from him. Harold
started. lie had never seen any one so
beautiful before Suddenly two attendants
appeared with litter; the girl Immediately
got onto 1t, and in Harold's eyes she seemed
more beautiful than ever. sitting there
under the arch Of roses. Then. seeing the
attendants move away, he stepped up In
front OF the litter. and. taking or his
crown. he gave 1t to her. Then he stood
and watched them move away. Then he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
Why She Couldn't Say Her PRAYERS

Last night. In the early twilight,
Came my little one to my knee.
With: Papa. rs drefie s'eepy.
An tired as 1 tan be.
'Ou say my payer, Please. papa,
For me dest is one time"
And she knelt down by the knee that
She was all too tired to climb.
The moonlight wove q halo
Round the nodding little head.
And the drowsy lids dropped lower
As Il Lay me down" was said
And before the prayer was ended.
And the Lord was asked to keep
Through the night the child He gave me.
She was very fast asleep.
When she came to me this morning.
With hug and kiss. said she:
II flank 'ou lots. dear papa,
'Tause 'ou said my payer for me.
When dts dref'le sleepy,
1t BOXERS me to pray.
"Tause my eyes dest won't stay open,
So tan't zee what to my!"
-EBEN z, REXFQRD
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
An Unconscious Sermon.

Mr. Harvey was riding slowly along the
dusty road, looking in all directions for a
stream or even a house, where he might
refresh his tired. thirsty horse with a good
draught of water. While he was thinking
and wondering he turned an abrupt bend
in the road, and saw before him a comfort
able-Iooking farm house; and at the same
time boy ten or twelve years old came out
into the road with small pail, and stood
directly before him.
What do you wish. my boy?" said Mr.
Harvey. stopping his horse. Would your
horse like drink. sir?" said the boy re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
The Little Woman's Rights.

Her platform Is only the cradle.
Her speeches are funny and few
wise little head,
But all that Is said
Is only a vague little goo"
But how baby's rights are respected!
One nod Of her dear, downy head.
Whenever she thinks she's neglected,
And down to her feet we are led.
She lifts up her voice in a minute
Her protests are loud and are long!
Each household affairs she Is In 1t.
To see there is nothing goes wrong.
The right to twist limbs that are dimpled.
In every extravagant way;
To maui and to tease
The cat at her ease
To crogc AMI to creep all day.
The right to love that Is purest-
The right to a mothers own love!
The right to a guide that IL surest
To lead her wee footsteps above.
Her sweet little mouth she upraises,
As pnre as a rose. dew impearled;
The right to our kisses and praises
Oh, these are her rights DER the world!