davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
Second Prize.)
Harry's Lesson

By Rhea Freidell, Aged 10 Years. Dor
chester. Neb. Blue.
Harry wanted a turkey for Thanksgiving,
but his parents were too poor to buy one.
SO on his way home from school he saw a
number Of the large fowls along the road,
and he picked up a stone and threw at one
Of them and killed it. He put the fowl on
his back and sneaked home through the
eeTnfield.
When he reached the woodshed he put
the turkey under a box and went in the
house for his supper.
That night he went to bed without tell
ing his parents what he had done, and he
dreamed that he was In the woods and that
all the turkeys in the country were there
to play some mean trick on him.
They took him down In a big cave and
then they began to throw stones at him
then they picked and scratched at him so
bad that he began to cry, At this the
turkeys began to laugh at him He picked
up a stick to throw at them, but they were
all gone. Everything was dark. Where
could he be?
He then sat down on a pile of rocks and
began to cry again, when all of a sudden he
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
Why Shocks Returned to Robbie
by william wallace. Jr.

much interested and entertained, and trot-
ted along. looking about him at every new
scene. After an hours travel about the
principal streets, Shocks became fatigued.
Then he felt pangs of hunger and thirst,
The latter was quenched at a public foun-
tain where a horses drinking trough stood,
We'll, l found water, end now I must
find food" said Shocks to himself. And
he trotted off towards an alley in the rear
of several stores But in vain he searched
for a morsel of foed. Then his sense Of
smell LED him down the alley for several
blocks, and he found a garbage barrel con-
tanning a few spoiled bits of meat and
moulded bread. These he minced over, but
without relish, for Shocks had been used
TO the best food, which was eaten from a
nice, deep, white china platter. And to
eat spoiled, foul-smelling scraps from an
old, dirty barrel. was not inviting to a dog
of his refinement.
well, this will have to suffice me till l
find another nice home like the one I
left" he unused, as he left the barrel and
wandered off into the alley again. "Ah, 1
like the looks of that house with the green
blinds" he said, mentally. looking in the
direction Of a very pretentious place that
had a long back porch and clean white
steps lSdpllE uOWn 10 a wen kept DdCh
yard. And, combining the yard, was a
nicely trimmed hedge. still green, though
the fall had dried the leaves on the trees
that stood about the house
Yes, l like the looks OF that place." And
Sneoks stopped in the alley and peered
through a thin place in the hedge at the
house which had so attracted him, 1T
looks a bit like Robbie's home. The
house Is grey and has green blinds. And
they have a hedge in the back and waite
steps leading to the yard. I believe I'll
just step in there and see how things are
hut stepping In was not so easily done
as planned. The gate was high, the hedge
was higher, and neither could be jumped
ever by short-legged Shocks. And for a
long time he searched for an opening in
the hedse large enough TO admit of mis-
passing through. but after finding an open
ing he was not slow in gaining admittance
to the yard. And once inside he boldly
walked upon the white steps leading to
the porch, leaving muddy tracks behind
him. Just as he was about TO bark al
the door, his way of letting those inside
know he was there and wishing TO enter
the door was thrust open and a large, red.
7 haired woman, with a voice like thunder
came bounding on the perch, a broom IN
FaTds, held with the handle forward as Il
to be used for a club, There you are
you sheaking purpv' she roared. And theT
sht struck at snooks with the broom han
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
Thanksgiving at Grandma

By Alta Wlken, Aged Is Years, Waco,
Neb. Red.
All the children and their papa and
mamma had come to spend Thanksgiving
at grandmas. All the children meant the
four boys, Ted, Tom, Jack and Rex, and
sister Nan. They had come two days
before Thanksgiving. Grandma's house was
such a lovely place to visit and grandma
was such a dear old lady, Now there was
one thing the children all longed for very
much when they went to grandmas, and
that was snow. Thanksgiving at grandmas
without snow was not half fun, they all
said. This Thanksgiving the children had
their desire, for the ground was deeply
covered, with a white, downy cover. Tom,
who had grown tired Of reading and sit
ting by the fire, said. Lets have a snow
battle" Down went books and up sprang
five little people all ready for the sport.
Two were on each side and Nan made
great piles II snowballs for each side.
Such fun lodging the balls, Nobody
minded II enc hit him once In awhile,
There merry shouts of laughter brought
grandma and mamma to the window. Each
one tried to throw his best. They played
until the great dinner gong sounded and
then with rosk cheeks and bright, happy
hearts, they marched into the house all
ready and anxious for the steaming dinner
grandma had prepared for them.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

in a determined way, "Ill just bury my
pride a. I'd bury a bone and go home.
Robbie will be glad to see me; so will
the others. look terribly i'll with this
baggage tied to my tail, but 1 must go
home"
An hour later. just as Robbie was about
to enter his own home. he heard a low
whine beside the gate outside the yard,
And looking down into the shadow of a
~leafless lilac bush he beheld poor, miserable
Shocks. "Why. snooksie!" cried Robbie,
what are you doing there?" Then as
snooks came creeping forward in a most
shamed way, Robbie saw the dilemma the
poor fellow was in. why, what does all
this mean, doggie?' he asked. on his knees
in a minute and undoing the can. "Ah, I
see, some ugly fellows have enticed you
into the street and tied this to your tail.
Poor doggie. you should have used your
teeth In self defense. Pshaw, but it's a
heavy can, and tied on with a sharp wire.
Why, your poor tail is bleeding where the
wire has cut into 1t. Poor, dear old
Slooksie! you must never wander into the
street again. Wish l could find the eul-
prits who used you this way. Ia make it
warm for them. But come, chappie, and
have som supper. You look about played
out" And at that moment snooksie was
the happiest dog In all the world. aud as
he ate his warm supper on the clean back
steps, and from a nice clean platter, he
vowed that from hence6orth he would
never leave the yard around that house
unless at the heels Of his beloved master,
Robbie
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

he was running with ali his strength down
a dirty street that thFonged on every side
with unkempt children. And behind him
came a troop OF ragged. dirty urchins,
giving him close chase.
And then he was caught by a huge
fsllow-a boy with a dirty face and hands.
And he was handled very roughly, for
other boys came trooping up and a dozen
hands held the poor. frightened and
struggling SHOCKS. and to his short little
tail they tied a great rusty tin can, in
which they put half a dozen nails and
bits of glass TO make a Jingle as poor
Shocks ran. Then they let him go, and
down the street they chased him. throw
ing sticks and stones and often hitting
his quivering body and causing him in
tense pain, 'Oh, 10 be at home, at homer
walled poor Shocks, mentally. "oh. for
dear Robbie and the good, safe homer
SION he turned into a hetter-looking
street and his cruel tormenters dropped
away, for they knew they would be APP
pretended by the police should they go
running after a dog down the principal
thoroughfare Of the town. Then Shocks
went slower. constantly turning about as
he walked and biting at the terrible
thing that hung 80 tightly to HIS little
tail, But TO no avail. The can was SO
secure that only human hands could re
move Il.
And in all the crowds that thronged up
and down the busy street not one person
stopped to take notice of Shocks. Every
body seemed bent on his own business and
let poor Shocks alone.
I'm go home" said Shook TO himself
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
Mary and the Little Brown
b Seeds

BY Margaret Dodge, Aged 9 Years. 1852
North Park Avenue, Fremont, Neb. Blue.
On fine spr ng morning Mary went into
the garden with her spade and rake. First
she dug a small hole in the ground. then
she dropped two small brown seeds in the
hole. Next she covered and watcred them.
These seeds were great friends. One said
to the other. Isn't II awful dark down
here7' Yes" answered the other. I'VE
cannot see the SUM-" In a few days they
threw off their little brown jackets and
sent down two little roots.
Mary came out to see them every day.
Soon they sent UP two little green leaves,
In a few days they sent little purple buds
UP. They were very happy to grow in the
sunshine. Mary was very pleased. When
her friends came to visit her she took them
to the garden and showed them the two
pretty plants.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
Honorable Mention.
Two Little Girls Thanksgiving
BY Rena N. Mead, Aged Il Years, Blair,
Neb. Blue.

By Rena N. Mead, Aged IL Years, Blair.
Neb. Blue.
Grandma had given Gwendolyn and
Eleanor a bright, new five-dollar gold coin
apiece for Thanksgiving. Grandma had
asked them to give her an account of their
purchases. The girls lived in the city,
which gave them a splendid opportunity
TO Garry out their plans. but school was
somewhat OF a disadvantage to them.
Saturday morning came. Bright and early
Eleanor hoped out of bed, crossed to the
register and dressed quickly. Breakfast
over, she put on her wraps, for the No
vember air was chilly, She walked to the
slums, 10 save ~carfare, and sought out two
poor families Of three each. Thinking she
could not afford 70 buy two turkeys, she
bought one turkey and mother roasted 1t
for her. She gave a dollar for 1t and dl-
vided 1t.
She looked up some Of her old dresses
and shoes and some of her toys. Mother
baked her some bread and other things.
Thanksgiving day came at last, but it
seemed a month to Eleanor. Finally the
eoachman drove up to tho front door and
Eleanor and her mother were on their
way. They cam to the slums and Eleanor
left her things with 81 for each family,
With mothers help she had succeeded In
spending only 81 for her turkey. thus hav-
ing some left for her poor friends.
Not 30 Gwendolyn. She thought. Now
I shall have a fine time sending all my
friends beautiful Thanksgiving postal cards,
And I saw a funny one at the store the
other day. I shall get It for Harold Grian.
He thinks he's so smart anyway" Gwen
dolyn had saved half of her money for
Christmas. But which report do you sup
pose grandma liked the best2
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

die. But Shocks was too quick for her
and leaped from the porch, going like q
flash toward the little opening in the hedge
through which he had entered. Hi, git
out, you sneaking purpl' screamed the
thundereus voice behind him as he quickly
made his exit. II reckon it's you as makes
the dirty tracks on me clean steps every
day, you eur! And If 1 find you in this
yard again I'll scald you; every hair off
your measly body. Dirtyin' up me white
steps as soon as I git 'em scrubbed of a
mornln'! It's a shame such stray puFps
ere allowed to wander about the alleys.
They ort to be killed Off"
Then Shocks went on down the alley,
pausing at the rear of another very pretty
house. Il wonder If I'll find a warmer
welcome here2" he asked himself. Then
he ventured into the back yard. But to
his disappointment the house seemed with
out tenants. Blinds were drawn down,
and every where there was a look of Desc
lation. Nobody at home" Shocks said
mentally. Then on he went, getting very
tired and lonely. Just as he was about
to leave the alley and enter a street he
saw a huge black cat sitting on the
back steps Of a cottage. Now SHOCKS did
not know the disposition Of the ordinary
cat. He had q cat aequaintance-I would
better say friend" for such was old
Tabby at the home of Robbie-with whom
he got on admirably. They often slept
together on the same mat before the big
hall door where Shocks liked to lie on
warm days. So, thinking that this cat
would be as friendly to him as was his
own home-cat, Tabby, Shocks ran into
the yard. barking in a friendly way,
'Ffow do you do" he said In his most
cordial manner, wagging his tail merrily.
But the cat he approached did not greet
him as he had expected. She waited till
he came on the step beside her, then she
suddenly raised her back, pushed her long
tail and said, Spit. Spit scratching
Shocks across the eye with a sharp set
of claws before the poor doggie knew she
was going to strike.
'Bow-wow-wow!' walled poor runaway
Shocks, leaping down the steps as fast as
he could so, his poor little stub tail
tucked between his trembling legs. How
unhappy he was. Never before had he
know what 1t meant to be 30 cruelty
treated. Robbie, Robbie's parents, cook,
Dave, the manseFvant, and even Tabby.
had always been 30 kind to him And he
had run away from all these good people.
How could he have been so ungrateful7
How could he nave grown tired of such
q splendid home? To be sure, Robbie was
away much Of the time every day, but
he always returned home before supper
and always had a little romp with Shocks
and a merry Hello. old Snookie! How
nave you been during my abseneel" But
all this day no friendly voice had greeted
him, and now It was getting well towards
afternoon.
Hi hi, hill There goes a pup! Let's
chase him, Geel Keteh i'm an tie a can
to his tail, Gee! Git 'iml' 1t was q
boys voice, ooarse and hsartless thai
Shocks heard. and In another moment
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

very old, but too old to DO as
- he once did, And that is what
ekHR%MA l am going to tell you about.
NSsas~ssS But before ! start my story 7
must tell you that Shocks did Just what
ever so many bad little boys dc. and, like
the bad little Boys, he was punished for
his wrongdo'ng,
Now, here Is the story: Shocks belonged
TO Robbie Turner. a fire boy of 10 years Of
Rgc. During the summer and early fall
Shocks had enjoyed life tc the fullest with
his dear, indulgent master, but when
school began Shocks found himself much
alone. And then he began to wish he lived
SON ewhe;e else, for being just a dog, he
had no why OF knowing why Robb;e left
him every day, returning late in the after.
noon, And eften Of evenings Robbie left
Shocks much alone also, for he had his
lessons to prepare, you know.
One day, just after Robbie had gene off
to school. Shocks sat in the front yard
thinking. Did you know that dogs really
think? Well, they do; and in Shocks case
plans came after the thinking. And Shocks
plan was to run away. Just think of tito
run away! And yet he had as happy a
home as any dog ever had. There was but
one child in the Turner family, and that
enc a real Cnuin TO
Shocks, for no brother OF sister came in
for a share OF his time. So, when Robbie
was not busy with his school or his chores
he was devoting his attention to dear old
Snookie." But In the first few days Of
Robbie's going TO school Shocks was so
lonely and he became fretful. Then he be-
came W-tempered, and when Robbie's
mamma would call to him 70 come TO his
plate of food he would look at her with a
sullen stare. and II she tried coaxing him
he would sometimes snarl at her, Thus
you will see how a pet can sometimes be
most ungrateful Shocks had had so much
Of Robbie's time, had been such a family
pet. that he could not make up his mind
that anything should interfere with his
pleasures. And that is why the selfish and
spoiled fellow decided to run away.
He watched for a good opportunity, and
II came after Robbie's mamma went to do
the days marketing. Only cook remained
at the house, and she was back in the
kitchen. So Snooks erept out OF the yard,
crawling beneath the g~ate-which was
closed-and went off down the street at q
brisk trot. The direction he took led him
right into the heart OF town, and Snooks
was much surprised at the number Of peo-
pie he saw and the noiseS Of street traffic
he heard.
But he was not afraid. Indeed. he was
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
Our Visit to the City

By Helen Mead, Aged 8 Years. Blair, Neb.
Red.
This summer my sister and i were out
in the country at our cousins home. NY
cousin has a big doll and It is almost three
feet long. She has a play house and she
has a little cupboard in IL and a lot OF
dishes In 1t too. She has a little broom
and she also has a bureau too. My cousin
wants us to play tippy, tippy, I spy all the
time. on Saturday my sister and I and my
two cousins went fishing and caught some
fish, and when we came back my cousin
and ! baked some pancakes and the others
did not like them Sunday we went home
hoping to go to the country for another
visit.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
(First Prize.)
Harriet s THANKSGIVING

BY Verna Kirschbraun, Aged IL Years, I'LL
South ~Twenty-fourth Street, Omaha,
Neb. Blue.
Harriet Meredith was walking home
from school one day with several of her
friends. As the next day was Thanks
giving, they we're talking about what
they would do to celebrate it.
"Unele John gave me $40 to W. a nice
time with" said Harriet.
I'VE will take baskets filled with good
things to eat to give to ONE poor peo-
pie" said Alice Brown
ia rather have a nice time myself,
and, anyway, If the poor people do want
a THANKSGIVING dinner they should earn
it," said Harriet.
That night after Harriet was in bed
about ten minutes she saw an old woman
with a wand standing beside her bed,
She said nothing, but waved her wand
and Harriet found herself out in the
streets dressed like q poor a She
wandered from house to house begging
for work, but was always refused.
She felt very tired, so she thought she
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

would lie down on somebody's porch. The
next thing she knew she opened her eyes
and found herself in her own room. She
had only been dreaming.
The next morning Alice Brown was
startled to hear a voice Calling: Alice,
wait a minute" and, turning around, she
saw Harriet running towards her with a
big basket under her arm.
"Wir you let me come with your she
asked; 'I've changed my mind about my
So"
There were many people hat had a
happy Thanksgiving. but I don't think
that anyone had a happier one than Har-
rlet,
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

awoke and found his father and mother
beside him.
He at once told them what he had done
and all about his dream.
When Harry dressed himself he and his
father took the dead turkey and went to
the neighbor to fix the matter up.
TIL farmer told Harry that he would
have to work three Saturdays to pay for
the turkey,
This was q good lesson to Harry never
to a k anything that didn't belong to HIM.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22
A Thanksgiving Visit

By Alice Boyse, Aged - Years, 24 South
East Street, Carroll, la. Blue.
On one Thanksgiving day a party Of my
schoolmates had planned to go with me TO
visit my grandma. She lived about eight
miles in the country. Grandma had a beau
tiful farm home. with a large apple orchard
and plenty Of other trees, And many acres
Of land surrounded the house and orchard.
The appearance OF Thanksgiving day was
lovely. In the morning Uncle John came in
after us with his large sleigh, and you may
be sure we were all ready; we could hardly
wait till he arrived. We had a nice time
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

Ilumpty- Dumpty was a fat boy,
lie lived on a farm, you know,
And a man came one day,
And TO him did say:
Il want o for my Side Show
SO Humpty-Dumpty went far away
With the man who a circus did oWns =
And his time was all spent
In a big side-show tent:
n a giant he'll be wien he's moun.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

Jean De l.ois, Ainsworth. Neb.
irene mccoy, Blrnston. Neb.
LILLIAN .Merwln. Beaver City, Neb.
Mabel WIT. Bennington. Neb.
agnes Dahmke, Benson, Neb.
vera Cheney. Creighton, Neb.
Louis Hahn, d. yid City. Neb.
Ehea Freidell, Dorchester, Neb.
Eunice Bode, Falls City, Neb.
Fay Wright. Fifth and Belle streets, FIRE.
Ethel Reed, Fremont, Neb.
Marguerite Bartholomew, G~othenburs,
Jessie Crawford. 46 West Charles street.
Grand Island. Neb.
Lydia Roth, sos West Koenig street. Grand
Ella voss, 47 West Charles street. Grand
Pauline Schultz, 412 West Fourth street.
Grand Island, Neb.
Martha Murphy, s23 East Ninth street,
Grand Island. Neb.
Irene Costello. lis West Eighth street,
Grand Island. Neb.
Alice Temple, Lexington. Neb.
Ruth Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Edythe Kreitz, Lexington, Neb.
Anna Nelson, Lexington, Neb.
Marian Hamilton, 2O29 L street, Lincoln,
Alice Grassmeyer, 1913 C street, Lincoln.
Elsie Hamilton, 2o2s L street. Lincoln, Neb.
Irene Disher, 2030 L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Hughie DisheT, 2030 L street, Lincoln, Neh
Louise Stiles, Lyons, Neb.
Estelle Mcdonald, Lyons, Neb.
Milton Seller. Nebraska City, Neb.
Harry Crawford. Nebraska City, Neb.
Harvey Crawford. Nebraska City. Neb.
Lucille Hazen, Norfolk, Neb.
Letha Larkln. South Sixth street. Nor
folk, Neb.
Emma M. -euardt, Fifth street and Madi-
son avenue, Norfolk, Neh,
Mildred r. Jones. North Loup. Neb.
Hugh Rutt, Leshara. Neb.
Hester f. Rutt, Leshara, Neb.
Lillian Writ. 4l5S Cass street, Omaha.
Never Cohn, SAG Georgia avenue, Omaha.
Ada Morris. A24 Franklin street. Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, 1908 lizard street, Omaha
Gail Howard. 1922 Capitol avenue. Omaha.
Helen Heuck. 1925 Lothrop street, Omaha,
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

Mildred Jensen. 20 Leavenworth street.
Mabel sheifelt, 4sn North Twenty-fiftb
Wilma Howard. APP Capitol avenue.
Omaha.
Hulda L%undburg, Fremont, Neb.
Emerson Goodrich, 1910 Nicholas street.
Helen Goodrich. 4O1O Nicholas street.
Omaha.
Maurice johnson. 1927 Locust street.
Hllah Fisher, 1910 South Eleventh street
Omaha.
Louis Raabe, 300 North Nineteenth ave-
Emma carruthers, s21i North Twsnty-fiftA
Waiter johnson. zOs North Twentieth
Leon Carson. 1924 North Fortieth street.
Omaha.
Mary Brown, 1922 Boulevard, Omaha
Emile Brown. 2322 Boulevard, Omaha
Eva Hendee, 4402 Dodge street, Omaha
Juanita lines. 276s Fort street, Omaha
Genevieve M. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Madge I. Daniels, ORD, Neb;
Agnes Richmond, Orleans, Neb.
lola Beddto. Orleans, Neb.
Marie Fleming, Osceola, Neb.
Lolita Woods, Pawnee city. Neb.
Emma KostaL 1916 o street, South Omaha
Ethel EMS, Stanton, Neb.
Edna EMS, Stanton, Neb.
Ina Carney, sutton, Clay county, Neb,
Clara Miller. Utica, Neb.
Mae Grunke. West Point, Nsb,
Elsie stastny. WILDER, Neb.
Alta Wilken, Waco, Neb.
Mary Friedrich, York, Neb.
Pauline Parks, York, Neb.
Edna BehliFg. York, Neb.
Carrie b. Bartlett, Fontanelle,- la.
Irene Reynolds, Little Sioux. Ia.
Ethel Muiholland, BOX n, Malvern, Ia
Eleanor Mellor. Malvern. Ia,
Kathryne Mellor, Malvern, Ia.
Mildred Robertson, Manila, Ia.
Ruth Robertson, Manila, Ia.
Edith Amend, Sheridan, Wyo.
Henry L. Workinger, care Sterling Rem
edy company, Attica. Ind.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

~ HE EDITOR has a special request to make of the Busy Bees this
week She wants som extra stores-Christmas stores-but n
wants them in addition to the regular stories the boys n girls are
writing each week. Will Just AS many Busy Bees as cal write in not
more than 500 words what their idea is of Santa Claus? Just tell
what comes to our mind when Vou think of Santa Claus. And you will please
mail these extra letters so that they will reach the Busy Bee editor lot later
than December 9. Now let us see what W car dc.
The Busy Bees are writing remarkably good stories for boys and girls under
IA years of age and those who write the most often aret the oesw who write the
best stories, sc it shows that Practice makes perfect" So many good
THANKSGIVING stories were sent in this week that it vas difficult to decide
which ons were best.
Prizes we're awarded this week to Vena Kirschbraun Of Omaha and Rhea
Fpiden of Dorchester. Neb, and Honorable Mention was given to Rena N
Mead Of Blair, Nb. All three this week yer on the Blue side and last week
all three were OIL the Red side.
Any of the Busy Bees nay send cards to any n whose name Is o the
Postcard Exchange, which now includes:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

hooks was his name. And
Snooks was a little dog. not
very old. but too old to DO as
he once did, And that Is what
l am going to tell you about.
But before l start my story I
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

Any of the Busy Bees may send cards to any one whose name
Postcard Exchange, which now includes: