davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
THE CHRIST CHILD.

| thought / would write about Tns
Christ Child. The Christ Child was
born in stable a. Bethlehem Deceni-
Der the twenty-ffth. about the year
749 Of Rome. Bethlehem was village
about five or six miles from Jerusa
lem. Bethlehem means "house OF
bread The village was SO called
because Of it's fertility. God sent the
message of salvation to the shep-
herds while they were at their daily
work, and the heavenly army praIsing
God and saying GLORY to God In the
highest and on earth peace and good
will to men," In obedience to the law,
forty days after the birth OF Christ he
was presented in the temple for the
,, Alteration of the Magi, and was coIl-
secrated to God, and Mary, his mother
made the poor woman's Offering of
two turtle doves. The wise men, see
ing the bright star, mounted th;5'
camels and rode away and the star
seemed to move in the sky until they
saw it shine over stable in the little
town OF Bethlehem. and entering.
they found the Child with Mary. and
falling down they adored him and Of
fered him gold, franklin incense and
1nyrrh. After the magf had left Beth
lehem an angel appeared directing 10
seph to Egypt. For it will come to
pass that Herod will seek the child to
destroy HIM" Joseph arose and took
! the child and his mother by night
and fed into Egypt. King Herod had
ordered the male infants to be massa-
cred. and il is thought about twenty
or thirty were killed in Bethlehem.
Herod died in Jericho in April. the
wear Of Rome $50. e few weeks after
the massacre. After some time the
holy family went to Nazareth and
Jesus worked at the carpenter trade
with Joseph and with his parents
went every year to Jerusalem to at
tend the Passover and when he was IL
years old !.hey went as usual, and on
going home they missed Jesus, and aft.
er three days search they found MIN
in the temple with the doctors, hear
! ing and asking them questions, and
his mother said: "Son, why hast thou
done so to us? Behold thy father and
have sought thee sorrowing.- And
he said to them that he must be about
his fathers business. He returned
with his parents from the temple ana
! went 10 Nazareth, spending elgnteeif
years with them, and at the age of
thirty he began preaching to the peo-
pie and performing miracles. He was
| condemned to death and was crucifed
and on the third day he arose from
the dead, and forty days after his res
direction he ascended into heaven.
Your friend,
Gertrude Schafer, age Q.
92S. Plum ST,
1 Ottumwa, Iowa. E sssgs
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
JUNIOR RECEIPTS.
HELEN'S CHRISTMAS.

ooh. just look There is Sandy
Clauz. oh, if could only get to him, y
sighed Helen, pressing her little turn
ed up nose fiat against the window
pane of the Richards mansion. ooh, if
Sandy Clauz would only give me that
great big doll he has. Look at Mildred
Richards. Don't she look jolly in her
white dress. whee, look at the pres
ents she's getten'" She turned her
head away as though she could not
stand it any longer.
Suddenly her little face frightened
Il tell5you what III do. I'll just ring
the doerbell." She rang the doorbell.
The cook came to the door and said in
rough tone, What do We want We
kid?" Please en- I see Sandy Clauz?''
She said timidly, Get out of here or
III call my masther, Mr.. Richards -
AS Helen descended the steps she
heard the door. slam behind her. "Oh,
wish had some mittens. Ny feet
are SO cold.
An hour afterwards Mildred ran to
the window. "Oh, look mammal Why
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26

had a Christmas tree. Now she beg
ged money for food. What do you
think Helen did that morning?
Went to church, of course. She sat
very still. After church little girl
came along and saw Helen. She went
to her mamma and said Mamma
please let me take that little girl
home with me-. Now Helen and her
brother John went home with the lit
tie girl. When they got home, what
do you think she saw. A beautiful
Christmas tree Helen got doll, a
chair, set of dishes, table, and
many other things. John got q drum,
"a horse, a whistle, a jumping jack and
other things, TOO.
That night Helen and John were
very happy.
Helen Melvin, age 8.
31S North Marion St, Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
THE CHRIST CHILD.

A long, long time ago little baby
was born in Bethlehem and his name
was Jesus. His mammals name was
Mary and his fathers name was JOS
eph They lived in Nazareth, but as
the Romans and Jews We're to go to
the place where their tribe first came
from to pay their taxes, Mary and
Joseph had to go up to Bethlehem, for
both were of the house of David, who
was born there. Their road led up a
hill and at the top was Bethlehem.
They had to walk slow and it was late
when they got there and there was no
room for them in the inn, SO they had
to sleep in a stable and here Jesus
was born. There was some shepherds
on the hills and an angel came and
told them that the Christ Jesus was
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
THE CHRIST CHILD.

| will write about the Christ Child
and why we celebrate Christmas.
Christ was born on Christmas. He
was found by some shepherds. They
were tending their sheep. God had
told them there would be a bright star
appear, and they saw it and followed
it. 1t stopped DER barn and Christ
was horn in a manger. The shep
herds found him in the manger.
Christ's mothers name was Mary
Christ grew uD and was not very
bright at first. but He soon grew to
tie bright and and loving, and kind.
One of his diciples' betrayed him
and he was crIciied and nailed tc
the CROSS.
There was . thief nailed by the side
OF him. He he'd told the people that
He would arise from the dead. He was
buried in q tomb. There was guards
over it no non one would steal the
body. While they were asleep al
angel rolled the stone away an(
Christ rose from the dead.
La Rue Downing. age
E,lGOn Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26

there's girl out there asleep" "Sure-
ly not my dear" said Mrs. Richards,
"a child would not go to sleep there. .
She walked to the window by Mildred.
why mamma. believe it's Helen, J
don't know what her last name is. She
is a poor girl. When I visited the mis-
sion saw her. Mrs. Richards looked,
why il is a child. I'll ring for cook.
She'll carry her in Cook was rung
for and was told for what she was
was called Cook only said, HIN,
she's the kid that wanted to see Santa
Claus. I'll bring her in though She
went out and carried the child into
where the much longed for Santa and
Mildred and her mother were. 81 be-
lieeve she's frozen said Mrs. Rich
ards. Cook, run get some warm
wraps, why, such thin garments she
has on. Place her in that large chair.
I'll rub her hands, There was a great
deal of rubbing and piling of COM
forts going on. After while Helen
came to and opened her blue eyes
again. ooh. where am L." she said.
She looked all around her and smiled
when she saw the much longed for
Santa and Mildred.
Listen" said Mildred's mamma, we
foound you near the window Mildred
told nc you have no parents and you
are going to be my own little girl"
"All your own. en- stay here fir ever
and f'r ever? Yes, cook, run get
Helen warm supper and have Mar
tina put Mildred in bed. You, Helen
are to sleep with Mildred" But
wanted that big doll Sandy Clauz has"
You did," said Mrs. Richards. You
shall have it. Here comes cook with
dinner now" But, mamma. what s
that funny .ookin' yellow ball?" s'Why
that is an orange dear. That is good
to eat" I don't believe Heden after
that ever wanted anything but what
she got
Your Junior
Albertina Alaska Park. age 10.
100 North Elm ST.. Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26

Helen was the only child of wealthy
parents and Christmas had always
been a great day for her as presents
We're always given to her in large
numbers. She Went to bed on Christ
mas eve with great joy in her heart as
to what she might find next morning in
her stockings.
Christmas morning came at last
after long tircsome night and she
found to her delight everything she
had wanted. Helen was playing with
her books and toys when she happen
ed 70 look out of the window and see
little half clothed, half starved frozen
girl passing down the street who she
recognized as being the child OF their
washer woman. Helen motioned for
her to come in as she knew she must
be cold. being out on such a bad dag,
but the little girl could hardly believe
Helen was wanting her to come in,
but she rushed up to the door. Helen
asked her in. gave her a seat by the
fireplace and called her mamma TO
bring her something warm to eat. AT
er the little girl was warm and her
meal eaten Helen began showing her
the Christmas TOYS she had received
and not only showing them but divid-
ing some OF them with her.
Helen hunted out a number of her
last years toys and again the little
girl left she had basket full of things
Helen had given her for Christmas.
Helen afterwards told her mamma
that she had never before spent such
happy Christmas because she hal
made some other little girl happy.
Nellie Young, age II.
bloomfield iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
EE.-EN'S CHRISTMAS.

The daT before Christmas eva Helen
md he" mother We're RAINING for
Chr:stnas. Helen asked her mother i
she could get Christmas tree and
her malnrla aid that she could, with
some q he. owu moneE she bought
some cnrGy, nuT., ann!es oranges and
q Christmas tree, and brought them ali
home and put item in the attic.
in the afternoon she went to town
and bought dolls. Christmas bells
Teddy beats story books, games AMI
for the tree she bought some iinsel and
pretty trinketS.
Then she brought that homo and put
them awav. Her mother was wonder.
ing What her little gil was doing all
this time.
So she went back il the attic and
got her little box of stationery that
she got last Christmas from her papa
and wrote about twenty little invita-
tons to poor little boys and girls who
lad no fathers and mothers and who
weren't going 70 have any Christmas
trees and presents. The invitations
We're as follows:
Miss Helen Jones requests youl
honor at her home on Christmas eve
Thursday, December "a, 1908 at
O'Clock. Bring ali your little sisters
and brothers with you if You have
any
When she had ell of them written
she ran down stairs and said, 'WilI
you bake a big cake for me?'' Hell
mother said. "N;hy do you ask that OF
me darling?" oh" she said, II will
tell YOU later So her mamma baked
cake and put it in the pantry.
On the next day Helen went up ir
the attic, took out all the presents she
had bought and the Christmas tree
and brought it down stairs and carried
it in the parlor and shut the door.
Then she began to dress the tree il
many Illuminating colors and hung
the apples and oranges on the tree and
the dolls. teddy bears and all the pres
ents. When it was all ready she went
out and got some candles that she hat
had on the tree last year, and put then
on the tree, then she went out shut thu
door and locked it.
She went out where her mother was
and thought over how glad all the
little children will be tonight wher
they get those presents.
So at seven o'clock came a little CIR
and her two little brothers and she
told them to sit down by the fire an,
get warm till the rest of them came
and when they had all come she tool
them all in the parlor and told then
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
THE CHRIST CHILD.

Many hundreds of years ago in
Bethlehem a little babe was born. 1t
was the Christ child--the Saviour VI
the world. All the inns were SO crowd.
ed that Joseph and Mary could not
find any place but stable to stay in.
rere is where the babe was born and
they laid him in manger.
That night out on the hill, three
shepherds were watching their flocks,
when all Of a sudden they beheld a
bright light in the sky. They all look
ed at each other with fear. But an
angel appeared and said, Fear not,
for behold bring you good tidings,
which shall be to all people, for unto
you child is born in the city of David,
a Saviour, which is Christ the King.
Follow where the star leads and yov,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
THE CHRIST CHILD.

The story of the Christ Child is the
sweetest story in the world. Mary his
mother, was full of grace and tender
ness and purity that appealed to all of
US from the youngest child to the
most aged. On the night that Jesus
was born at Bethlehem. wandering
shepherds came from hills nearby to
worship him; for they had seen a
great light and the angels of the Lord
had appeared to them, saying, Fear
not, for / bring you good tidings of
great joy which shall be to all people
For unto you is born this night in the
citv of David, a Savior. who is Christ
the Lord And all people who obey
his commandments will go to Heaven
a much nicer place than this earth
Christmas is the birthday anniversary
OF the Christ child. and Christian peo-
pie all over the world celebrate it in
honor of him.
Edna Withrow.
lIXline,, Iowa. /
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
CHRISTMAS CHEER.

Once more the sweet old story
Thrills through the frosty air
Once more the heavenly message
Floats DER the world of care;
Once more the bells are ringing,
And may they never cease
To echo back the tidings
On earth goodwill and peace!
Once more the air is laden
With messages of love.
Earth tastes the Joy celestial
That reigns supreme above
Many saddened hearts grow merry
Amid the hearty cheer,
While friends clasp hands as brothers
And loved ones grow more dear
III.
SO shall the Joy of Christmas,
So shall it's gifts divine,
Like stars of fadless beauty
Ger all our darkness shine;
Like blessed home-lights cleaning
Through night and mist and snow,
The Christmas Light shall comfort
Lies toilers here below
BY Lanta Wilson Smith
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26

to sit down till she lighted the tree,
and the little children clapped their
hands for JOY, they were so happy. So
she gave each one a doll, or game,
or a teddy bear, or a story book. And
they never we're SO glad in all their
little lives as they were now.
She said, Now you stay in here till
come back" Then she brought the
cake cut in pieces and gave each one
a piece and each one an apple and an
orange and some candy.
They all wanted to go home and
show their mothers and fathers what
they had gotten, SO they went home
with their faces as bright as the sun
and their little arms loaded with pres
ents. After they had all gone Helen
went to her mother and said, Weren't
those children happy, mother?' Her
mamma said well think they were
my little darling, how did you ever
think of such thing?"
She went to bed early and was
thinking over everything and she fell
fast asleep and dreamed many pretty
dream.
Helga Seistrand.s
1924 Haync ST OttlImWa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
HELEN'S CHRISTMAS.

Helene Moor awoke bright and early
on Friday, Dec. Is. 1908.
Dressing rapidly she went down
stairs to breakfast.
Her mother noticed that she seem
ed rather absent minded during the
meal.
She however said nothing about it.
After breakfast she practiced her
music about al hour
At that time her mother entered
the room. Helen drew a low stool to
her mothers feet and rested her
head in her mothers lap, like she al
ways did when she was in a conf
Dental mood.
Her mother knew something was
pressing on her mind, SO she said.
''Well, daughter. what is it?" Helen
looked up with shy smile
At last she said, Mamma, | had
the most wonderful dream last night
1t was about a glorious Christmas tree
for the poor little boys and girls.
May l give one Mamma? shall
have it like my dream in every re-
spect"
Certainly. if you wish it very
much"
That ended the conversation for
that time.
Helen and her two friends Dorothy
Ashly, and Ina Cameron worked early
and late in their earnest efforts 10
give the poor waits a Merry Christ
mas.
At last Christmas eve arrived
Helen stood viewing the lovely tree.
There it stood. a real monarch OF the
forest. the glorious Christmas tree. II
was decorated with the customary
tinsel and stars, but at the top was
whore her eyes rested longest There.
on the topmost branch Was bean
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
The CHRIST CHILD.

| will write about Christ Child. He
was born in Bethlehem in a manger.
His fathers name was Joseph and his
mother was Mary
There We're some shepherds watch
ing their f1ocks and they saw a star in
the east Just then an angel appeared
and told how Christ was born
After the angel mad gone. they fol
lowed the star to Bethlehem and in
a manger was the babe.
His father was a carpenter. and
Christ learned the trade Christ was
a very poor boy.
Christ was crucifed when about 80
years old by some wicked people.
Yours truly,
Goldie Roberts. age II.
r. F. D. No. 5, Charlton, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
HELENS CHRISTMAS.

Helen was just getting over an
angry spell. She was also little sick,
having a cold. She~wss sitting on the
sofa watching her mother and auat
do up Christmas things.
con. dear" sighed Helen 81 can t
! get into this st. Nicholas at all" Can
I ask you a question, mammal" Yes
deary. if can answer it." she said 70
Helen
We'll" began Helen, its one l
can't answer myself or understand
What are you thinking about,
dear said mamma.
Why do we have Christmas?"
st is a birthday that's Why"
We'll" she said Whose birthday
is it,"
Haven't you heard of that Won
derful. powerful man, who died to save
you and ! from being sinners" said
her mother. All this time her aunt
! and mother kept on wrapping up pres
ents.
ooh, I Just happened to- think,
that's the man of whom the Bible tells
about. amt it?''
Helen" said her aunt. when viii
YOU learn to use YOU language right?
There is not a word like amt. You
should say is not or isn't. They mean
the same thing"
Her mother spoke in and said, ..'She
was getting all right. She has not
been to school,
Let's go on" said Helen. 'I'm get
ting very interested"
Don't you know his name? It's the
first part Of Christmas
''Oh, its Christ echoed voice from
somewhere.
Then entered her brother. She
didn't know he was anywhere about
there
SIS Santa Claus his assistant them?
That's one question l can't an
swer," said mamma.
Does he give you all you ask for?''
asked Helen.
HE does what he thinks you need,
answered ner mother.
Mamma, doesn't he make tn
birds. cats, ponies-oh! everything
that lives"
Eyes, everything" said her aunt.
Then want a cat, two birds for
Helen, get whole menagerie while
you're at it, said her brother.
81 know what Christmas means
now said Helen.
Lets hear what you think said
mamma.
"It is to give and receive presents.
Correct you are miss said her
brother.
Lets have the MOTTO what shall i:
be. OF course something Christ said
Let it be more blessed to give than
| to receive
Mamma, I'm going to turn over 4
| new leaf and give my share to the
poor through the Courier Junior Stock
ing club. can help Christ that much.
she said. I've been happy since
turned my leaf. didn't turn my leaf
halfway / turned it 20 stay on the
right side. 1t can not fall to the wrong
| one now.
Every Junior can be happy if they
F, turn their leaf. Don't wait till New
Years, do ii now.
Your Junior,
| Helen Rowe, age 10.
| 324 West Fifth ST., Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
STORY OF CHRIST CHILD.

Jesus was the son of Joseph and
Mary. He was born in a manger at
Bethlehem CT Christmas day. and evcl
since then we keep the birthday of our
Saviour, Jesus Christ Eight days
after he was born, they named hin?
Jesus. The wise men looked un il
the sky and saw large star shining
brightly. They followed it to where
Jesus was born. They brought hin
rich and costly gifts. for his parents
were very poor.
They loved him very much. They
We're afraid he would be killed, ant
they took him to Egypt to live.
Frank WILDER. Stout, age II.
COG Chester Ave. Ottumwa. Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26

years Old his mother and father took
him to Jerusalem 10 the passover, and
as they returned he dIu not come with
Them but stayed in Jerusalem and his
lathef and mother Went one days
Journey before missing him and after
three DAYS they found him in the tenn
pie talking with the doctors and they
took him with them TO their home. And
when Jesus was older they crucifief
him and he died and the third day he
arose and descended into heaven
Yours sincerely
Wesley Hunt, age H.
OttumWa, Ia, Il. R. No. g.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26

will come to the manger.' They fol-
lowed the star till it came to the man.
ger and stood over the babe. When
they got to the stable they saw Joseph
and Mary and the babe in the manger.
They fell down and worshipped him,
then presented him with gold, frank
incense and myrrh. So in honor of
Christs birthday we keep Christmas.
Mabel Reifsnyder, age IL.
631 East Second St., Ottumwa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
Aged 10.
HELEN'S CHRISTMAS.

Helen was a very poor little girl
She had no father or mother. Before
her mother died Helen had told her
mother she would pray every night
One day she awoke. The snow was
on the ground. She remembered that
it was Christmas and that before her
mother and father died they always
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
GLADYS WANTS A RING.

Dear Santa Claus:
want a doll, ring and doll bed
for Christmas. I want my name in the
Stocking club. because this is my first
letter to the Courier Junior.
] am years old and a Daily Junior
Your Little Friend,
Gladys Myers.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
TIE PRIZES.

We will not announce the names of
!; the prize winners until next week, but
! they will all receive their prizes by
Christmas morning The Juniors have
/ certainly done excellent work in this
! contest, SO very excellent that we had
hard time picking out the best
stories. However, we did so and the
lucky one will hear from us Christ
mas
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
vALLIE REMEMBERS HER
TEACHER TOO

Dear. Santa Claus:
As 1t is 50 near Christmas l thought
I'd better write to you. l am a little
girl 10 years old.
want doll. doll buggy, table, two
story books. and set of dishes. Don't
forget my teacher Miss Vonderhaar
and my brothers and sisters.
This will be all for this time. Hoping
to find you well,
Your Little Friend,
Vallie Snyder
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
u
LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS.

ss s.s sss = . >
Dear Santa Claus:
| would like an air rifle, little wag-
on a ten cent air ship, q pair Of boy
leggins, an overcoat and some candy
and nuts. Thank you Dear Santa
Claus. will close now.
Your Little Friend,
Eugene Heath,
9I5 West 9Th St, Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-26
HeLEN's CHRISTMAS.

IlIl5tN NJSISVI a
1924 EIayne ST., Ottumwa.
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-06-05
SWEET MELODY FLOUR.

II one feels dun and splritless, in
the spring or early summer, they call
1t spring fever" But there IS no fe-
YER usually It is the after effect OF
our winter habits. The nerves are
mostly at fault Tired, worn out
nerves leave US languid. llfeIess, and
without spirit or ambition. A few
doses OF DR.. Shops Restorative will
absolutely and quickly change all of
these depressing symptoms. The Re-
storative Of course won't bring you
back to full health in a day or two,
but 1t will do enough In As hours to
satisfy you that the remedy Is reach
ing the .'tired spot" Druggists ev-
erywhere are advising its use as a
splendid and prompt general tonic.
1t gives more vim and more spirit to
the spoonful than any other known
nerve or constitutional tonic. II
sharpens failing appetite. aids a.
gastion. frees sluggish livers and kid.
neys, and brings new life, strength
and ambition. Test II In few days
and be convinced. All dealers,