davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE PRIZE

So many of the Juniors sent in
Christmas stories that the judges
selected the work Of the following
little girls as the best, choosing the
WINNERS from among the very young
Juniors and the older ones; all these
stories appear today except Mabel
Re.fsnyder's and hers was in last
weeks Junior under the picture. The
Juniors receiving prizes are:
NORMA. DANIELS.
MABEL AND MAUDE SkIRVIN.
MARGARET WHELAN.
LAURA LEE.
MABEL REIFSNYDER.
The Christmas stories not appearing
In today's paper will be in next weeks
Junior
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS.

The American Christmas Is tha
greatest day of our country. 1t is A
national holiday and is celebrated
throughout the United States. It was
the day that Christ was born. Wa
generally celebrate Christmas with
feasts and happiness, while Santa
Claus brings presents for the little
ones, as well as to the large ones. The
Christmas dinner is generally compos-
ed of turkey, cranberries n other
good things to eat. The children play
games and eat candy, while the older
ones talk of the olden time, and tell
stories. I think an American Christ
mas is a great day, and I wish you all
a merry Christmas n a happy New
Year.
Yours truly,
Mary German, age 10,
Batavia, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
The Courier Junior
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.,
oTTuMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA DEvEREAUx.
EDITOR.
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING CLUB.

Dear Juniors: We are very happy
today because the Christmas stocking
club has been sucn a grand success
due to the kindness of the donors.
Last year we had ninety-four pairs OF
stockings and this year more than l60
pairs, besides a sum of money given
to buy stockings which would make
our list over 220. The money given
was used for charitable purposes.
The Courier Junior Bachelor club,
.(all pretty young bachelors this year
because the real bachelor we talked
about last year. is now married) con
tributed $500 and a kind young wo-
man gave the club $500. Besides all
the stockings and money two kind
friends gave us twe.lty-four dolls in
memory of their lear little daughter,
and four Juniors each sent a nice pair
Of mittens. Many grown up people
very kindly brought in stockings. The
first room of the Irving school sent
three pairs of stockings and we are
very thankful to these little folks as
well as their kind teachers.
Laurence Hogue and MAJ Roth
each brought in a pair Of stockings,
and through SOM ones unintentional
carelessness their names were omitted
from the last list of names published
in the Christmas paper.
We arc all SO proud of the Juniors
because they helped to max many
little children very happy, and SO
grateful to both the Juniors and the
grown-up friends whose kindness made
the Courier's efforts a success.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

Long, long ago there was a baby
born in Bethlehem. There was Il
star that lighted the manager. 1t S
called the Bethlehem star, and some
wise men followed the star to the
manger and found Christ in the man
ger.
There was some shepherds on the
side of a hill and some angels told
the shepherds that Christ was born
to save them. Then after the angels
had left they said let us go to the
manager, so some Of them went and
saw the baby Jesus. They followed
the star. Yours truly,
Naomi Day, age II.
Sigourney, r. F. D. No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

Nineteen hundred seven a ago
the Shepherds saw a star in the east
while they We're watching their focks.
They followed it till thew came to the
town Of Bethlehem, wher the star
seemed to guide they to the manger.
There they found tn Christ child. They
brought him presents and this Is why
we give presents on Christmas.
Mary was the mother. The news was
told far and wide. Many people came
to the manager, where Christ lay on the
hay.
Yours truly,
Martha Sheafe, age 9,
attaaRwa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
CHRISTMAS.

Once the shepherds heard a voice
and it said, Peace on earth, good
will to men" Then the angels sang
a song and said, go to a manger
lignted by a star" And the shepherds
saw a large star and followed it. After
a while they came to Bethlehem and
the star led them to the manger. They
went in and saw the mother. She was
Mary, and her baby vas Jesus.
Yours truly,
Jessie Bishop, age 10.
122 Sheffield -. Ottumwa, ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE STAR OF bethlehem.

Many, many years ago, while the
shepherds were watching tneir sheep
one night, they saw a large star in the
north. 1t was brighter and made more
light than the sun at dawn. The wise
men followed the bright star or the
Christmas star, for they said it would
lead to the king. So they all took gold
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
NEW YEARS

We want the Juniors to write a New
Years story. We will give surprise
the following subjects:
New Years Day 1905
What l Did During 1907"
Why we Celebrate New Years
Day"
The contest. closes January 2, 1905.
Your story must not contain more
t!lan 200 words.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING CLUB
sPRIzES.

We have today. the pleasure of tell
ing the members of the Christmas
Stocking club, the m of the win
ners Of the prizes; two Buster Browns,
one Mary Jane and n Tige. We
only wish that we could give each
child who helped the club a beautiful
prize, although we know that the
Juniors belonging, to the club were
not thinking of the prizes when they
brought or sent their stockings In.
The Buster Browns were awarded
to Bliss Marden, and Paul and Ray
Lindley; MARY Jane" to Romano
Arnold, and "Tige" to Charlotte Criley.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31

Christmas is on the twenty-ffth day
of December. Christ was born on
Christmas morn over 100. years ago.
The first Christmas was when the
wise men brought presents for Him.
The shepherd was watching their
aocks at night and an angel came
and told them that Christ was born in
Bethlehem and they went there and
found him, and ever since then we
have Christmas and give each other
presents.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31

l.. Use one side of the paper only.
Q. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or a sharp lead pencil.
3. Number your pages.
4. At the bottom of the last page
write your name, age and address.
5. Do not copy stories or poetry.
and send as your own work.
6. Always tell whether you are a
Daily Junior Or a Tri-Weekly Junior.
Z. Address the envelope to Editor,
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

One day some wise men from the
far eat saw a strange star which show
ed that Christ, the e king, was
born. Herod was king at Jerusalem
and was a very old and wicked man.
He (Herod) was greatly troubled
WheR he heard that a new king Was
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
NOTICE

They followed it until il
old barn in Bethlehem ann
They went in and there init
the Christ Child lay. II
Mary was the sweet baby'sF
name, and she was bending
manger where the baby layM
was a bright circle around thin
head and it stayed there throlA
Since that night OF Chrlst's
Christmas has always been a veTM
cred day. The reason we alwaysN
presents is because the wise men gXN
them to the Christ Child. The starN
Bethlehem OF the north star sti
sines. and is the prettiest and brigl
est star in the sky.
Your Junior friend, '
Myrna Altman, age 10.
Box 100, E1don, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31

them with ornaments and gifts and
sometimes the children string pop
corn and cranberries to hang on
them. They used to light them with
candles but 10Y they use electricity.
Laura Lee.
100 College street.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31

tell Herod. Herod was very angry,
but Jesus was taken to Egypt, wnere
he was saved.
Your Junior friend,
Marie Fleener.
R. T. d. No. z, Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
Use one side of the paper only

SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS.

sol North Main st.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
CHRISTMAS IN NORWAY.

Pennington, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

MdUEI OKITVIH, dSe .
Agency. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31

Margaret Eliza Mccoy, age Ia.
Ottumwa, Ia, R. F. D. No. 4.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-31
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

Eldon. Iowa.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-09
HOME HAPPINESS.

There needs to be perfect unity.
perhaps harmony would be the better
word, between husband and wife to
make a perfect home. Children are
quick observers and side mentally
with the one who favors them. /
felt sorry for woman who said that
her only daughter loved her father
more than her mother. The father
was indulgent, and, he held the purse,
as men usually did a generation ago,
he could crafty the taste of his daugh-
ter for baubles, while the mother
thought it her duty to inculcate eco
nomical habits in their circumstances.
Usually, I think, children love
their mother better, as she is natural
lv the most indulgent. 1t was said
Of stepson that he loved and respect
ed his father very much, yet he also
feared him so much that he would
rather face the ghosts reputed to be
in a certain place on dark night
than disobey his father.
I have heard a few say that they
knew no difference that seemed to
be the right way when both parents
unite for the welfare of the family
there will be no discord nor decep-
tion. The mother will not urge the
father to go beyond his means to
crafty a child, and the father will
not injudiciously indulge pet. To
get into debt needlessly seems a ban
to any family, from which oftimes it
cannot extricate Itself easily.
A home where the evening hymn
and the morning prayer have been
heard from childhood is sweet and
blessed memory through all the years
of later trials.
Simple pleasures are always purest;
pre-occupation shuts out temptation
it should be joy to any child tofeel
itself useful.
The author of Hebrew poetry said,
that it was a matter Of course that
all the family should work unless
sick. A prominent physician says
all should exercise enough every day
to get into perspiration, for health's
sake. 1t is just as natural for chill
dren, as for lambs and kittens, tc
frisk about and play, and their dress
should leave them so unrestrained
and free that neither they nor mother
should be fretted. Children often de-
stroy playthings and are called mis-
chievous, when it is only desire tc
do something that makes them de-
stroy their toys. Parents and teach
ers should discriminate. Mrs. f. f.
| OrczsH.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-09
For "THE UNION -
A PRAYER AND THE ANSWER.
BE- cLAupIA PRICE HuTcHINs.

A maiden, all forlorn, knelt in the
cold white moonlight of St. Valen-
tines Eve, and prayed: "Oh, God,
look down in pity upon this poor
bruised heart of mine and give me
Thy peace. Thou knowest am
sorry for quarreling with Mr.. Law
renee; also, that love him madly.
Why should this bitter trouble be
sent on me. I was content with my
mother, my home and my beloved
books, but now there is such void
in my soul. Fill, o, fill my life with
happiness or work; anything, dear
Lord, but this cold, gray desolation." +"
AS the impassioned words left the
maiden's lips she shivered slightly
and crept into bed; an uncanny ap-
partition in her white gown and wild,
troubled. dark eyes; an insane desire
for the love that every woman Graves
in her soul and a whispered prayer
for patience, woman's best weapon of
defense, in her battle with life's joys
and sorrows.
Across the fields Mr.. Lawrence
gazed at the lighted window of the
maiden's S home and thought it is St.
Valentines Eve. Shall l once more
test my fate and give Edith the chance
to say to me yea or nay?
Was it the influence of Edith's
prayer, or was it the magnetism OF
personal attraction between the souls
of the two that drew his thoughts to
her? Or were the wiles of St. Valen-
tine responsible for his mood? At
any rate he decided as he watched the
light from her window flicker out he
would call tomorrow and again try to
break down the wall of ice that di-
vided them.
The great church bell ringing vio-
lently at midnight awakened Mr..
Lawrence, who bounded from his bed
to find his room flooded with the light
that comes from a great fire.
"The house is afre," he cried.
:'No, it is Mrs. Pages" some one
answered.
After dressing hastily he and the
hired man rushed over the field TO
Mrs. Pages to find the entire roof
ablaze.
"Where is Miss Edith and her
mother :" was the question on every
ones lips. Butno one cared to enter
the burning house. Mr.. Lawrence
seized heavy stick and broke open
the door, rushing up the stairway
with an awful fear in his soul, to hear
Edith's voice crying, "Robbers !"
"No, fire p he shouted.
"Come, quickly. Take mother.
will follow"
Mrs. Page was helpless from fright.
He simply picked her up bodily and
carried he down. When he placed
her on the ground she was uncon-
scious.
Edith had not followed. Back into
the burning building he went calling
her as he rushed up the grand old
staircase.
ooh, Bob, I cannot leave your pic
ture and letters, and I can't find them
in this smoke"
"Never mind, dear, you can have
me instead. This is St. Valentines
day and God has sent me to rescue
YOU from the fire and be your valen-
tine" And he led her forth just in
time to escape the falling roof crush
-. Al,nsna
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-09
TIE OLD FARM.

When the busy day is over with its anxious hopes
and fears.
And the telephone stops ringing and the last
clerk disappears,
With sigh lean back weary in my swinging
Office chair,
And my thoughts go back to childhood and the
old farm that is there.
I can see the dear old homestead, broad and low
And the rows of shining milk pans stunning In
the fresh sweet breeze;
/ can see the barn and horses, and the orchard
on the hill
Where we gathered golden pippins for the old
straw cider mill.
can see the upland pastures dotted DER with
grazing sheep,
And the wheat field waving golden, ready for
the men to reap.
can see the old stone fences where the chip
munks used to play,
And the cornfeld and the meadow with its piles
of fragrant hay.
can see the cattle standing meath the willows
by the brook.
Where used to nsh for minnows with bent
pin for hook;
And the pond where grew lilies that my mother
used to prize,
All, the light of heavens shining now within
those dear old eyes.
And sigh while fancy fingers DER each well
known pleasant scene,
0ftne happs iaysse oyhood thrownby memory
on the screen. a~ss.~rss4tsy
Aud 70 give all have gained since, all my
wealth and treasures rare.
To go back one day to childhood and the old
farm that is there, -I0wnsend Allen.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-09
TRAVELLING ON THE EDITORS PASS.

A certain lawyer says that many
years ago he went to Western State,
but, as he got no clients and stood a
good chance of starving to death, he
decided to return eastward again.
Without any money, he got into a
train for Nashville, Tennssee, intend
ing to seek employment as reporter
on one of the daily newspapers. When
the conductor called for his ticket he
said:
"I am on the staff of --, OF
Nashville; suppose you will pass
me?"
The conductor looked at him
sharply.
"The editor of that paper is in the
smoker. Come with me. If he iden-
ti6es you, all right" ="
He followed the conductor into the
smoker; the situation was explained.
Mr.. Editor said
~~'Oh, yes, recognize him as one
of the staff it is all right"
Before leaving the train the lawyer
again sought the editor.
"Why did you say you recognized
me? I'm not on your paper"
"I'm not the editor, either. I'm
travelling on his pass, and was scared
to death lest you should give me
awav. ."-E0u,M Estate.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-09
see you, an-an SIGH Ike he finish

see you, an-an sich like, !" he finish
ed lamely.
No answer. Travis slipped his
hand along the slender wrist until
his hard palm closed about the girls
cold fingers. "You see, Molly" he
began again, IT jis natchelly cayn't
stand hit not to speak to you, but /
don't want to see you eff hit makes
you pa fuss at you. So I been
a-thinkin' an pears to me the best
way to fix hit is fer you an me ter
git married. I got raise today, an
we kin stay at my dads an'-an' I'll
be good to you-an' I want you,
honey, I want you p
Molly Sue hesitated, then sudden
ly the Spirit of Coquetry that dwells
in every woman's heart rose and
spoke, and she obeyed, but reluc-
tantly, for concealmeut, of emotion
is not part of Galloway Hills cur
riculum. She jerked her hand from
his and walked quietly away. But
Travis was not to be put off thus
he sprang to her side and caught her
arm in ferce grip.
"Molly, he cried, sharply, "don't
you love me2" The girls head
dropped, and she murmured-"I-
I don't know"
"But, Molly" expostulated the
boy, II love you, an-an' you gotter
love me, Molly, You jes' gotter
love me,-you hyar me? Hit'll kill
me ef you don't. You gointer marry
me. hain't you, Molly ?"
The Spirit of Coquetry seemed to
have lost its power there was but
one word to say, and Molly Sue said
it $; the word was "Yaas."
''I got hit all planned, announced
Travis. "'Tain't no use fer you to
go home an mebbe git fused at.
You know I got a cousin livin' jes
over the line in South Caroliny.
Let's us git boss an buggy an go
down thar right now. Hit won't
take no more'n hour or two to go,
an we kin git married to Might've
don't need no license down thar.
We kin visit Cousin Joe's to-morrer,
an then come down to Dads. What
dye say?"
Molly Sue agreed happily to the
plan. They hurried to the livery
stable, found rickety buggy and an
aged mule, and drove away into the
warm, white night.
They would miss her at home,
Molly Sue thought but Florinda
was old enough to take charge now,
and the other children could help
oh, they would get along. For her
self, there would still be work in the
mill then there would come the time
when she must stay at home and
care for the throng of little ones
which are the portion of every home
among the mill hands. Before her
stretches a life of toll and suffering,
of bitter poverty and hopeless ignor-
ance. She saw it all,-but the gray
monotony of the future was tinged
with the rosy light of love, into
which her soul had risen on the rain
bow wings of romance. And Molly
Sue was content.
"And on her lovers arm she lent,
And round her waist she felt 1t folo,
And far across the hills they went,
In that New World which is the Old"
-MdryEGnd Monthly Magazine.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-09
THE HORSE A COWARD.

The horse is coward-nature
made him so-an unreasoning coward,
who fears everything with which he
is unfamiliar nothing, however
horrible, to which association has ac-
customed him; creature given over
to sudden and uncomfortable panics,
and, in their paroxysms, stopping at
no injury to self, or to those who
cherish him. His overpowering ir-
stinct in such cases is flight fire.
quently, but not always, associated
with determination to clear himself
from any hampering surroundings.
He has no feelings Of revenge unless
trained to cunning by the abuse or
the mistakes of mankind, and, when
these prevail, he rarely wreaks his
vengeance upon any particular indi-
vidual, but upon humanity in gener-
al, with no regard for age or sex.
The sentiment of revenge is so usu-
ally associated with cowardice that
it may almost be classed as phase
of that instinct. Cowardice manifests
itself in equine connection in many
ways-with one it is terror of the
dark, which will make him kick his
stall all night. doing himself possibly
serious injury yet in nine cases out
of ten, light left in the stable will
so completely reassure him that he
will not lift foot. Another is alarm
ed at blowing paper, yet stands yawn-
ing while cannon are fired in his face.
1t is this very attribute of cowardice
which enables us to handle the animal
as we do; to train him to our will
and for our purpose which makes
him.. once he is thoroughly deceived
and intimidated, the useful servant
we find him not willing slave, but
one who fears again to tempt reprisals
which have always proved effective
and who 1abors for us because he has
been made to do so, and fears to re-
bel. Give to the most docile the idea
that he may successfully disobey, and
presto, you shall discover another at
tribute of the coward-for your steed
forthwith becomes bully and dan
gerous one; since each little act of
rebellion which succeeds awakens him
to the idea that he need not obey,
and that in power and will he is SUI
perior. Forthwith disaster impends.
The horse does not love man nor
does he delight to labor in his inter-
est. If you think yours does, take
him out several miles from home,
turn him loose in the road and see
whether he will follow you but do
not try this unless fond of pedestrian
exercise. True, you may train him
by the use of certain appliances to
follow you through the field, flood or
fire, but he will do this not because
he adores you, but because you have
successfully deceived him into think
ing that he cannot help himself, and
that one idea dominates him.
Do you imagine that it is personal
regard for Cinders & Co. which i'm
pels those splendid draft horses to
toll and strain at that fve-ton load ?
Or that it is alteration which lands
Mr.. Spenders' roadster in front in a
brush on the speedway?
Not in the least. They believe they
can not do otherwise, and attempts at
rebellion have always proven fruit
less. As well expect old Madge to
harness herself to the runabout and
to come to the door to take you tor
drive becauee she thought you were
looking pale.-F. M. Wa'e, in out
ing.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-09

Chow WILL you have your hair
cut, sir?" said the talkative barber
to the victim in the chair.
"Minus conversational prolixity,"
replied the patient.
Flows that, sir :"
"With abbreviated or totally elm
mated variations.
"What ?''
'Without effervescent verbosity.
Let even diminutive colloquy be con-
spicious by its absence.
The barber scratched his head
thoughtfully second, and then went
over to the proprietor ofthe shop and
whispered: ST don't know whether
that man in my chair is mad or a
foreigner, but I can't find out what
he wants"
The victim had to explain that he
wanted the job done in silence.