davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24

I n submitting stories in the history
contest juniors are requested TO con-
form strictly 10 requirements in re-
gard 10 form. etc. Write about any
incident in United States history that
you choose, but it must be in your own
language and must contain not more
than 500 words nor less than 20o. and
must be written on one side of the
paper only, with ink or soft black
pencil
on the first line write your subject;
on the second line. beginning an inch
from the left hand margin, your name
age and address, and If you are in
school your school and grade Write
the number Of words contained in the
story IN the upper left hand corner Of
the first page. A great many contrib
utors ia the vacation contest have
neglected this last requirement and
the editor has not the time TO count
the words in such stories.
1t is understood that in awarding
prizes neatness, spelling. punctuation
and grammar are all taken into con-
sideratiOn.
This contest is open TO San Fran
cisco and California juniors between
the ages of 10 and Is years. and for
the six best stories published each
week The Junior CaH awards as prizes
six handsome school watches
For the younger juniors, under 10
years Of age, another contest is open.
particulars OF which are given on the
fourth page today
the watches awarded in this weeks
contest viii be mailed in a few days.
II you are a winner and have not re-
ceived yours by next Saturday, let The
Junior Call know at once.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
A TRIP TO THE CITY
BEATRICE HALL
oicma, Marin County, Garcia District
School, High, Fifth Grade.
Age II Years.

This last vacation papa took Norma.
my sister. and ME down to the city TO
see my brother James. who is a sailor
on the battleship Nebraska.
When we got in-the city we went
right out to the docks, so we could get
the IL o'clock launch and go right out
to the ship.
But when we got there an officer
said that we could not go on the ship
because there were two cases of scar
let fever, and no one could go on or off
the ship.
Papa asked an officer if James might
not come over on the 1 o'clock launch
and talk with him, because James was
going with the fleet to Australia and
we would not see him for long time.
He said he would see, but James did
not come.
Papa felt very bad but it could not
be helped. so we went over to my
aunt's in Berkeley to spend the night.
We got there just in time for dinner
and after dinner my cousin and aunt
took us to Idora park and we had a
lovely time.
We went to the theater and saw "The
jolly Musketeer." and it was very good.
We went on the merry-g and
the automobile race.
1t was after IL o'clock before we
got home, and Norma and / were very
tired.
We stayed in Berkeley all the next
forenoon. and after lunch auntie took
us over to the ferry and we met papa
there and started for home.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
HIS HAPPIEST VACATION
LESLIE c. SEXTON,
1034A Cole street. san Francisco.
CrOcker school ID Sixth Grade.
Are II Years

As. 1 awoke the light was stream
ing IN at my window, and ! reailzed
great things in store for me--a visit
with my cousin in Modoc county. in
the extreme northeast corner or Caii-
fornia, and while there we were to go
camping. 1t did not take me long to
dress that morning, and ] was ready to
take the early train and was soon
passing through great fields OF grain,
orchards and vineyards.
We reached Sacramento about noon,
and by o'clock were climbing the
mountains. We passed Cape Horn in
daylight. It is grand! Looking down
hundreds of feet, could see the Amer
BY 10 o'clock we reached Reno,
where we stayed all night. The next
it's way slowly across mountains and
over miles and miles of country, with
not house in sight, and where moth
ing grows but sagebrush.
At Likely we boa arded a stage coach
at 10 o'clock at night. and it was cold
although summer. We had few hours
In bed that night but took another
stage next morning to get across into
Surprise valley, where my cousins
live.
All that day we were vending in and
out through the mountains. At one
time could see snow. capped Mount
Shasta 1t was a grand drive. but we
finally reached our destination and
found my cousins awaiting my arrival
l was urea enough TO go TO peu carry
that night. but the next morning we
were up bright and early for our camp
ing trip. My uncle supplied us with
everything we needed and went along
with us.
We felt very proud starting off, each
riding gentle horse. Before dark
our tent was pitched. The next day we
went fishing. ] caught 25 mountain
trout and they tasted better than any
ever ate. But the hunting was the
best fun. 1 shot doves with my %
rifle.
The week was a short one. but we
horses and working in the hay fields.
The trip home was fine and altogether
it. was the happiest vacation of my
life.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
|. AWARDED A WATCH
TRIP TO YOSEMITE VALLEY
GEORGE HARRIS
hlnSleg, Mariposa County. Seventh
Grade. Age IA Years

Ny trip to the Yosemite valley this
summer was very different from that
OF Allan Sproul, who Went by way Of
~ Portal drove a mule team from
klnsley distance of about 40 miles
through the government forest reserve
We left the next morning after school
closed, the last week in June. Four OF
our party were on hOrsebac and two
on the camp wagon. IT was a heavy
10 Hazel green, through a beautiful road.
4 he air was fragrant with the perfume
OF syringas and azaleas. There are
many wild flowers here in the noun
Ialns that are not found elsewhere in
California We spent the night at the
Hazel Green hotel. At this point we
enter the Yosemite park. From here on
10 the valley the scenery is magnificent
The trees are immense. They make a
cool shade for the traveller. Some
times the road narrOWs till there is
scarcely room Tor the wagon TO pass,
and you look down, down into q deep
canyon or valley. You look across the
valley and see ridges over ridges of
mountains, all covered with forest
The animals in the park are fearless.
because hunting is forbidden. Gray
squirrels are very plentiful. and they
sit up and look at you in the most
friendly way. Foxes. coyotes, raccoons
wildcats. bears, mountain lions wolves
and deer abound in this forest. At one
place on the way family of four deer
crossed the road in front of US and
seemed to know we had no guns
Reaching the valley. we camped for
10 days in III Captain meadow. between
Cathedral Spires and EI Captain rock
From here we made excursions on
horseback as we pleased.
NY chum and /. with several others
spent many delightful evenings fishing
by moonlight in the Merced river. The
only thing to mar our pleasure was the
fear Of rattlesnakes. which were so
numerous in the valley this summer.
Some people were afraid Of bears.
but we Were told that they were harm
less. A lady camping near as had an
exciting experience. however. When
Captain she slipped on a large rock.
and, sliding down IL. she landed almost
on big brown bear. She screamed
heels, evidently as much frfghtened as
she was.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
VACATION AMONG PINES
RENA SERVES
1917 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. WASH
ingtOu School, B Eighth Grade. :
Age 16 Years

School was out and the joy of the
whole season had Just begun. The day
after school closed we went up town
and began selecting our summer cloth
ing. We did not wear warm clothes
up in the mountains.
On the morning of the sixth of July
we went down to the station to start
on our long wished for trip.
1t took us all day on the train and
about O'Clock we stepped from the
cars, tired from our long journey.
we enjoyed the Castle Rock hotel
life for couple of days and then the
manager of the hotel took us to our
cozy cottage. The next day we started
out to see what kind of a country we
were in The surrounding scenery is
grand, with the Sacramento river run
nlng through the camp with a soda
spring right near the river, which at
nrst taste, Q deari such nasty stuff
but after awhile we couldn't live with
out 1T. We soon found out that there
was donkey on the premises free to
the children. She was named Maxine
Elliott" We would have to catch her
ourselves and this was no fun, because
she is very particular who her rider
is. We always had to coax her with
apples and salt. After we would get
her 1T would be great fun until we
We're kicked off.
About mile up the road is castle
Crags, where we had beautiful view
of Mount Shasta This is a delightful
place. AS we were passing over the
river into the grounds, to our amaze
ment, looking into the water we saw
fish four feet long. My father thought
he could shoot them, but he was not
successful.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
TRIP DOWN THE COLUMBIA
BERNICE j. MAXFIELD
1419 Geary street, San Francisco. Hem
Fy Durant School, ID Third Grade.
Age 10 Years

Uncle Jim's ranch is in the foothills
OF the Cascade mountains six miles
from The Dalles, Ore. My mamma and
l had been there for a week. when
Jim drove us TO The Dalles to get the
steamer Bailey Gatzert for Portland.
The boat left at half-past Z. The
first thing we did was to go to the
dining room to get something to eat,
as we had left Uncle Jim's before
breakfast and our drive had made us
hungry. While we were eating We
looked out of the window and saw the
q story about how, long time ago.
the Indians used this island for bury
ing ground.
Hood river was the next place we
stopped. The best strawberries are
raised here. We saw two mountains
covered with snow. The highest one
is Mount Hood.
think it was about 1 o'clock when
we came to the Cascade locks. There
were many people on the banks to see
first we were about even with the
people, but the boat kept sinking lower
and lower until we had to look UP to
them. Then a great big iron gate
boat slid through and on down the
beautiful Columbia river.
We passed a rock that is called
Rooster rock. 1 don't see why they
call it that. 1t didn't look much like
a rooster to me.
We also saw some water falls. The
highest one was Multnomah. Mamma
told me that 1t is over 500 feet high.
At Vancouver there were boys selling
apples. The men on the boat threw
them nickels and the boys threw back
apples, so everybody had nice. big.
red apple and they We're fine. Late in
the afternoon we reached Portland and
our trip down the Columbia river was
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24

fornia in that it is very mountainous.
Mesquite brush. catsclaw and oak busl
which is an evergreen, are the principal
food of the many herds of cattle ana
sheep which Craze in the picturesque
valleys and on the gently sloping hill
sides.
One of the most interesting sights
that behld during my visit was OF
d round up, or beef cutting, as 1T is
called by cowboys. A herd of about
800 cattle was driven from the ranch
TO railroad siding. four miles away.
Here stood long line of cattle cars,
many of which were already filled with
young steers. The cattle were per-
mitted to Craze in a large open space.
but were held compaetly together by
a few cowboys, while others went
among the longhorns their well trained
horses nosing to one side those that
their riders indicated, and steering the
ons cut in the right direction.
Those that were ..cut" were the fat
and sleek, and these were swiftly
packed into the cattle cars nearby
When the required number had been
selected and put into the cars the re-
mainder were driven back to the ranch
to remain until another lot was to be
shipped.
Altogether my vacation was thor
oughly enjoyable, not only because of
the beauty of my surroundings but also
because of the store of knowledge
had gained and determined to keep
always in mind
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
AWARDED A WATCH ;
BOWER CAVE
EMMA LOUISE WENGER,
COulterviIle, MaripOsa County. sixth
Grade, Bull Greek School.
Age 10 Years

! am not geing To tell you about any
vacation trip because have never been
Tar from home, but / will tell YOU
ABOUT an interesting cave that is only
zVO Yards from my mothers house
Before the Yosemite Valley railroad
was built the Yosemite stage used to
run from Pleasant Valley 10 Hazle
Green, past our place, and the tourists
used 70 stop to see this cave and they
thought It very pretty.
The cave, from the top to the ground
is 10 feet deep 1t is $50 feet wide
and 200 feet long. It is all open at
The TOP and II is walled in with solid
rock, which IS prettily colored in places
with pink. blue, gray and green. and
IN places the moss is very pretty
There are four large maple trees
that reach above the opening Of the
cave, and their tops form a bower from
which the cave gets its name. At one
SIDE OF the cave there is a lake 25 feet
vide, 40 feet long and As feet deem
ne used to have a boat on this lake
but II sank. There are stems eofng
down into the cave. Ny grandfatheT
first built them We have a dance
platform IN IL. with a railing and
benches all around. Here the vo11no
people OF the neighborhood have
dances and picnics. It is very cool
here on the warmest days of s1nn,er
dren. N'-.i7
I hope this will interest some of
the boys and girls in the city. have
never been in any city or large town.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
AWARDED A WATCH I
A PICNIC ON TABLE ROCK
MILDRED HUGGAN

Table Rock, sierra Co., Aged Is Years
IL was the first Saturday in vacation.
The sun rose bright and clear in the
east and the birds twittered gayly in
the trees.
My friend Ruth and l, filled with
pleasant anticipations, hurried down
stairs TO breakfast.
We had planned a picnic and selected
the top of Table rock, neighboring
mountain, to be exactly the spot for a
days frolic.
At S a. m. our little party of 10 boys
and girls started off quite jubilant with
plenty of lunch.
We reached the top of the venerable
old mountain after two hours of hard
climbing, and the next two hours we
spent enjoying our beautiful surround
ings-
Table rock is about 5000 feet above
the sea level and from its top one
commands broad view of the SUR
rounding world.
Mount Shasta's Snowcapped peak, ap-
pearing pink in the glow of the suns
rays, loomed up in the north.
Then, shifting our glasses to the east.
we could trace the Sacramento river
from behind the mountains,
Ear heyond stretched the plains,
melting away into the distance in a
horizontal line with the sky.
After gazing awhile at the little VIII
lagos and towns that dotted the noun
tains all around US, We set about pre-
pairing our lunch, and soon discovered
that we were all very hungry.
When luncheon was over we busted
ourselves by cutting our names in the
rock.
A number of names that were carved
years ago may be read at every step
where the rock is hard and smooth.
Table rock is an extinct volcano, and
t certainly does justice to its name
The top. being perfectly level, covers
about three acres.
Having satisfied our curiosity to
every extent we started for home.
very much fatigued.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24

In Utah. After our weary travel across
the desert we came to the Grand can
yon, which is partly in Utah and partly
in Colorado The mountains must have
undergone an eruption several CEN
turies ago, as the rocks have been
melted and have curious shapes.
We crossed the Rocky mountains in
Colorado, and the highest altitude we
passed over was 10000 feet above the
sea level.
The next morning we saw the Royal
gorge. The size and height was great.
We arrived at Denver at / o'clock in
the afternoon and then went to the
waiting room for a weary wait. for our
train did not leave until 9 o'clockA In
the evening it showed lightly When
we went to the train our berths were
made, so we went to bed.
When we woke up the following
morning we found ourselves in Ne
braska- The train arrived at Omaha at
o'clock in the afternoon Later in
the evening we crossed the Platte
river and also the Missouri.
We arrived in Chicago Tuesday
morning at o'clock sharp. Threat
ening rain. we took the 10 o'clock train.
We passed along the shores of Lake
Michigan, and crossed the Chicago
river. which is narrow. but rather long
We arrived at Buffalo Wednesday
morning and stayed until o'clock We
did not see Niagara because. We passed
1t at midnight. The train pulled in at
New York about O'Clock. and we went
to hotel and stayed for two days.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
VACATION ON A RANCH
WHITFIELD CRANE
"a Bella Vista Avenue, Oakland. SWEET
School, Eighth Grade. Age
Ii Years

We decided to spend our vacation on
my uncle's cattle ranch in Solano coun-
ty. We took the train for Suisun
When we arrived there we found that
our tent and bedding had arrived the
day before. My uncle was waiting
for us, we packed our things in
the wagon and started on the dusty
II mile drive.
That evening we put up our tent and
spread our bed right on the ground.
Every one slept soundly, because the
long drive had made us tired. / arose
early in the morning, as l was anxious
to know what the place looked like.
] went down to the creek and / found
that a small dam had been constructed
to form swimming pool.
The rest of the camp was soon astir,
and shortly had a fire blazing in our
little camping stove. A beautiful little
spring bubbled out Of the bank not
small barrel in half and sunk it in
the spring. so as to form a small pool.
l asked my uncle If there was any
game around and he said that there
caliber rife, filled my pocket with
cartridges and started out. Before I
returned | had bagged six doves, which
were enough for our dinner. All of us
went in swimming that afternoon.
The next day my uncle asked me if
would like to go, with him to repair
down. He saddled up two horses. filled
the saddle bags with large staples
and we started. We both had hammers
and whenever we found a place where
the cattle had broken down the wire
we nailed it up again. Every day We
went in swimming and / either went
out riding or else took my gun and
went hunting. Toward the last of my
vacation a big forest fire broke out
about 15 miles away on the Blue ridge
For while we thought it would come
on our range, but it only burned a
small strip. The fire was a beautiful
sight at night At last it was put out,
but not without a great deal of work
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Theresa Mccullough, age ~ years.
232 Third street, san Rafael. st.
RaDhaeFs school, Sth grade

On July IL we sailed for Victoria,
b. c., on the steamer Governor. On
whales, a few Of which were but a
few hundred yards away from US. Our
journey was completed at the end of
three days, when We reached Victoria
We went Immediately to The Dalles
hotel and stayed there few days.
The next day we took ride in a
tallyho to view the city. We saw
many beautiful buildings.
Later we visited the parliament
buildings. and saw the museum, which
contains many beautiful specimens OF
animals. and birds caught in British
Columbia.
We went in bathing every day One
day we rowed over to Trial island in
a small boat, TO dig CLANS The cur
rents around this island are very
strong and one must be careful about
going over there, as the currents
would easily carry them to sea. While
we We're there we dug about a sackful
OF clans After we dug the CLAIMS we
visited the man attending the light
house He showed US many interesting
things One of them was the fog
whistle.
Our next visit was to Duncans. a
beautiful town about q hundred miles
from Victoria. Here we went deer
hunting in the beautiful, picturesque
mountains and killed as many as
three In single day. We also went
caught 20 or % large trout in a day
While at Duncans we visited the Indian
reservation and their graveyard.
Later We visited Port Angelus. a
small but beautiful and picturesque
town. Near it was the lofty, magnifi-
cent Olympic range, covered with
snow the whole year around, and
stretched for miles along the coast
Near Port Angeles was a long narrow
island, which was five or six miles
long.
We also visited Seattle, in the state
of Washington. Here we stayed few
days at the Butler hotel. 1t is a city
of many hills and beautiful buildings
Later we visited Vancouver, a city
larger than Victoria. 1t contained
many beautiful buildings and churches.
While there we visited Stanley park.
which contains many beautiful trees
The people In Canada are mainly
English, as it Is an English country.
After two months vacation we
came home, and were glad to be in
California again.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
AT LAUREL DELL
SANFORD STEIN,
1856 McAlIister street, san Francisco.
Age IL Iears.

School closed on June 10 and, after
staying in the city for d week making
preparations to go to the country. we
started Sunday. June %. and reached
uklah about noon. 1t was a very hot
day, so we did not enjoy the trip up
tnere very much. At Ukiah an automO-
pie met us and we went to Laurel Dell,
IN Lake county. When we reached
Laufel Dell We were very tired and
rested until the next day. Laurel Dell
is situated 1,250 feet above sea level. and
certainly is The Switzerland of Amer
ica, There is a beautiful lake there,
Wiiich aHords line rowing and swim
ming.
After becoming acquainted with the
place we went rowing. walking and
many other things. | learned how to
swim and to row. After / was there a
week l slept in tent, Saratoga, Blue
Lakes, Witter, Lakeport, Soda Bay and
many other resorts are in walking dis
lance and SO we became pretty well ac-
quaihted with Lake county. One day a
large party of us went in the stage to
Lakeport. From there we took a
launch and crossed Clear lake. This
lake is about as large or larger than
bay Just in time to eat lunch. In the
afternoon we went to the Soda Bay
and took a soda bath. After that we
went back to Laurel Dell, having en-
quite warm up there. but not too hot
TO make 1t uncomfortable. We went in
swimming twice day. Our party went
Tor a walk nearly every morning, so
we had plenty of exercise. In the even
Ing we had dancing, and there were
many children of my age. We played
Groquet and were going to play tennis.
but 1t was too hot to play tennis. One
night we had mock trial" which
was very interesting. In all we had a
very jolly time. One day we went on
a trip to Writer'S and we went through
the hotel. which is equal to Del Monte.
All conveniences, such as running
water, electricity and telephones, are
installed
After staying for two weeks we re-
turned to the city, having enjoyed our
selves very much. During the rest of
the vacation l played tennis and other
games until school opened. Counting
ALL certainly had a fine vacation.
The San Francisco call., 1908-10-24
MY FIRST HUNT
EE1EE'-7F
SOB North street. Woodland Low sew
enfh Grade. walnut street school.
Age II Years
ROBERT f. CRANE,


Age II Years
MY vacation was spent in a very
pleasant way this summer. 1 went
hunting with my father three times
The first time i went up in the noun
tainS back of Capay- i had .2z call
ber rifle and didn't have much chance
TO kill any big game the nrst Time
There We're four of US In all that time.
Ny uncle and / We're hunting one even
ing when We came on to two deer. one
buck and one doe. Uncle Jim had
shotgun and / had a - rifle. so the
deer got away that time We didn't get
anything on this trip
The next time l made up my mind
to take a larger rifle. borrowed a
had better luck this time. Papa and
each got a deer.
We had hunted for two days and
hadn't any meat in camp The third
day we said something had to be done
When 10 o'clock found US going to
going to get anything. All of a sud-
den a big buck jumped up about 200
yards away. 1 lifted my gun and fred.
The deer fell dead. IL was a large
buck, a three pointer, and weighed
a hundred pounds. I was very proud
of him and so was papa Papa had
killed a wild hog so We had plenty OF
buck later and 1 helped to kill a four
The third trip we didn't stay long
on account of the mountain fires around
where We were.
We were sorry 10 have to leave the
enjoyed a vacation any more than did
this one, and we came back in good
health. I hope to go to the Sierras
next summer.