davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

all went. creeping down the alley behind
barns and outhouses.
Were in luck with all this cloud over
the sky whispered Smithy.
Sure" declared Walt. It's a night
made to order-just fits Halloween"
Then they went along without speaking,
ranging themselves into a long line, not
wishing to attract attention by going to-
gether.
They soon reached the premises of old
Mr.. Perkins. and went round to the barn.
Now for the auto" whispered Smithy
AN then for the ride With the assist
ance of three others Walt soon had the
staple thai held the paddock on the door
drawn, and the door swung open. Gee,
that staple came out easy" said smithy,
I'VE didn't need that old screw driver l
brought. I could have pulled it out with
my teeth"
Guess the old man fixed it so We could
go in without doing any harm to the
lock" whispered Tom. But where's the
auto?"
There it is. in that correr-that thing
covered with the
But Smithy did not firish the remark.
He stood aghast his eyes staring and his
ANAsuN bAhEa " wv AONA VI NA' AN~NNN
And all the gang" had unconsciously as
sumed like attitudes OF surprise and hor-
ror. And all eyes were staring at a strange
white object that had come of a sudden
from the darkest corner of the great and
almost empty barIy-a white thing Of enor-
nous height that waved long white. wing
ike arms. But the most %forbidding part
Of this white thing were It's eyes, which
cleaned and glowed like living Goals. And
in the place where its mouth would
naturally be was a glowing light also.
A t last Walt found voice. Come, let's
get outt' he said in a hoarse voice. But
at the very moment when the gang
turred to act upon his order the great door
swung shut and the frightened bows heard
a strong bolt slip across It on the outside.
Then horTor-speechless horror-reigned for
a few seconds, II was broken by a low,
grating voice which evidently came from
the white object that was still waving
slowly and menaeiagly It's arms. "Ah.
and so you chaps are out TO do mischief,
en-? Wen. l like doing a little Of 1t my
self. l overheard enough to know that
you want an auto ride. Suppose l act as
your chauffeur? 1 know q machine pretty
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
That Hallowe'e en- Ghost
BY Maud walker.

"Well, you know he has a new ~unabout
auto said Walt Holt. LAS / know a little
about motoring. we might take the ma
chine down to his valley farm and leave
it there. Twon't do it any harm. and Wen
have a good ride"
"And a bully walk back to town" laughed
Fatty. However. kids. Wen have some
thing doing on Halloween, on the premises
Of old Josiah Perkins, Esq, or my names
not Fat Thomas"
well, that's no oath OF assurance"
grinned Tom. "I never before knew that
your real handle was fFat'-or Fatty
You are enrolled at school as jefferson
Grey Thomas. 1t was the gang that dubbed
you Fatty or my memory's a thing of
the past"
All the boys had a laugh at this bit of
wit from Tom. who was usually so slow
in making a point. Then they agreed to
think it over"-meaning their Halloween
plans-that night and report at the barn on
Monday evening after school.
In the meantime, ''old man Perkins"
a townsman who had several fine farms
adjoining town, and whose favorite occu-
patton was the growing Of fine grapes.
melons and flowers. was a bit busy also
with Halloween plans, and his great. stall
wart farmland. Bill Bates, was taken into
his confidence, seing that Bill was needed
to help in carrying out the plans. Aud
many a chuckle the old gentleman had
as he prepared for 'the young rebels" as
he termed the boys. who were unusually
active on the evening OF Halloween. "Tll
give them a little fun they'll not soon for
get" he reflected. "Ah, I don't mind boys
having their sport il they're decent about
II. But that 'gang'-as a certain crowd
calls themselves-ar too strenuous, and go
a bit too far for patience"
So the days went on, ushering In Hal
lowe'en, and to the gang" It seemed that
the days were years long; and to old Mr.,
Perkins the time dragged YEARLY, and he
became Impatient for his fun as were the
boys that he meant to get even with.
At last, however, Halloween did really
arrive, and the air was full of expectation
and anticipation. Everywhere boys might
be seen in little groups, in the alleys, in
old tumbledown buildings and in stables
And everywhere they were whispering and
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
My st. Bernard Dog
BY Ava Hufsmith, Creighton, Neb., 4

BY Ava Hufsmith, Creighton, Neb., Aged
8 Years. Blue.
Dear Busy Bees: This is the first story
or letter l have ever written you. 1 would
like to join the Busy Bees. / am going TO
tell you about my big St. Bernard dog.
Buster.
He is a very large dog and is yellow with
White spots. He has a black face with a
white mark between his eyes, and his ears
are soft as velvet. 1 like him very much.
lie has a very long tail and is about three
and a half feet tall, so you can imagine how
long his tail is as 1t almost touches The
ground when he has 1t down. But he al
ways has it going round and round curled
up on his back.
He was a year old April 10 and has
grown a great deal since we got him when
ne was three months old. He likes to run
ana jump and is much like a puppy in his
ways. He takes very good care Of sister
ard T..
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
Elsie's Present to the Poor

By Eleanor Mellor, EX-Queen. Aged 10
Years, Malvern, Ia. Blue.
Elsie came running home from school
very excited because Thanksgiving was
near and she wanted to give something to
Ruth, who was a poor little girl.
She said: Mamma, may / take Ruth
some Of our Thanksgiving dinner Thanks
giving day"'
Her mother said that she might, so Elsie
was preparing for It. Thanksgiving Gay
came. Elsie's mother liked the dinner for
her and Elsie started off. She knocked at
the door and Ruth came TO the door. When
Elsie handle her the basket Ruth's eyes
glowed like diamonds.
Ruth took the basket and thanked Elsie.
Elsie went home very happy. The next
day Ruth's mother came TO see Elsie. She
told her that she would try 70 pay her
back again some time.
Elsie felt very glad that she had made
herself and somebody else happy and every
Thanksgiving she tried to make the poor
children happy.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

with whole heads and bodies, but it'll be
a lot Of jolly fun for me-"
At this five boys fell upon their knees,
some weeping and begging to be allowed
to 20 home and others too much frightened
to frame sentences and merely ~groaning
and moaning.
At this instant the barn door opened
slowly and old Mr.. Perkins. holding a Lam
tern in his hand. stood in the opening,
looking on the strange scene. "Ah, ha,
so you've come to do some mischief to
my auto and buggy, nave you. you young
rebels?" he said. smiling and stroEing his
beard. well, and so the ghost is going
to take you for a ride for life. chr And
do you all wish to go?"
"Oh, no, Mr.. Perkins!" walled smithy.
please, Mr.. Perkins. help us 70 get away
from here and allow us to go home"
Yes; If you'n please allow us TO go
quietly away from here Wen never, never
come to your place again on Halloween"
weeplngly promised Fatty, and tho other
boys added their b~roken-voiced promises
10 his.
And may I trust you to keep your prom
ise?" asked Mr.. Perkins. setting the Ian
tern down.
"Oh, yes. sir" they screamed In unison.
jumping up and rushing TO him.
well. well. you are a great set o.
braves" And the old gentleman laughed.
Come, Bill, get out Of your toys and let's
assist these young rascals out" And to
the establishment Of the gang" Bill Bates
appeared from the midst OF a lot Of white
cloth-sheets, probably.
"Oh-h-h-h"' went up five ordinations.
Ard by the light Of the lantern five small
faces turned red with shame. only Bill
Bates rugged up as a ghost" murmured
Fatty. w might have guessed IT,"
But you didn't" grinned Bill Bates
And now, Boss, what shall we do with
the gang? Tie 'em up IN morning and
call I'm the poliee?"
Five faces went white again, but soon
became their normal color when old Mr..
Perkins said; Nope; Wen take 10 the
house and give 'em some ice cream and
cake. Then they can go home"
And that was the way the exciting incl
dent ended. the old man giving them a
genuine treat and allowing them to go
home. And they promised never to modest
him agar
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
Where Helen Found Her Ring

BY Louisa Hahn, Aged Il Years, David
City, Neb. Blue.
There once was a little girl whose name
was Helen and this little girl was not very
good. She had a very pretty little ring
and like most children of her age she
wanted to wear it. but her mother felt
sure she would lose 1t.
But one day her mother went away and
Helen was left TO get ready for school all
alone. She thought it over and soon she
slipped the pretty little ring on her fin
ger and went to school. She didn't seem
as happy as usual and at school the time
went so slow. 1t was about noon when
she noticed that her ring was gone. She
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

hard and at the end of the first half the
score was 0 to 0.
When time was called again the players
lined up for the last half, The cries from
the crowd were louder. This was Sher-
woods last chance.
Dorrance made a long run and was
twenty yards from the goal. Here Sher-
wood took the ball. The quarter back gave
Tom the ball and he ran for the right
end. but was thrown hard and broke his
collar bone. At this Sherwood lost all
hopes of winning.
The captain told Roy to take Toms place
and the game was on again. The first
down they lost and the next they gained
two yards. Now was their last chance.
Roy took the ball and darted off with II.
On and on he went, with the Dorrance
players after him. but he was too swift
for them and made a touchdown. which
gave Sherwood the game.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
Was
Why Bridget's Bread Was
Never Baked

BY Myrtle Jensen, Aged IL Years, 29o9 lizard
Street, Omaha Blue.
Bridget was in the kitchen kneading
bread and at the same time humming a
lively Irish tune.
How are yez, B~ridget2' said somebody.
Bridget turned around to see the milkman
standing in the doorway.
"shure and Dim feelin' foine today" re-
piled Bridget.
After a bit of gossip and when he had
delivered his milk, the milkman left, while
Bridget went on with her bread.
Just then Mrs. Bradley came into tho
room. BE sure to put salt in the bread
this time, she said.
Faith and Ofve entoirely forgotten It,"
answered Bridget, going off for the salt
box. She got as far as inside the pantry
door, when she gave a scream, gathered
her skirts and jumped upon the table.
whats the matter. Bridget?" inquired
Mrs. Bradley.
Bridget pointed a finger at a little gray
Directing darling about the room.
"Ooo!" exclaimed the mistress, hopping
upon a chair. and Help! helpl help!'
screamed both as loudly as they could.
The hired man was raking up leaves In
the yard when he heard the screams and
Immediately rushed into the house.
There, Moike. look" said Bridget, see
ing his questioning look.
rs hi all?' and Michael burst out
laughing, on seeing a little baby mouse.
20, you cruel man. 10 laugh at us in such
a plight. Get 1t out Immediately" cried
Mrs. Bradley.
Excuse me, missus; shure and Ofn git
it out" answered Mike, taking 1t by the
tail and carrying it outside.
When they were certain there was no
danger, the mistress returned to the sewing
room and again took up her fancy work.
But Bridget's bread never got into an oven,
for In her fright she had knocked 1t down
on the floor.
Instead she went down to the hardware
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
(F1rst Pr1ze.)
The Last Quarter

By Elizabeth f. Rough, Aged IA Years,
Nehawka, Neb. Blue.
This last quarter was not a piece of
money, not the last quarter Of the moon,
nor anything else, but the last quarter Of
a rich mans estate. His name was Mr..
Murray.
He had four boys and one girl. They had
been motherless for many years-ever since
Molly dhe middle child and only girl) was
10 years old--and since her dear and kind
mothers death she had not been treated
right and justly by any of them
When she was 20 years Of age she mar
ried a true and honest man, but that year
a very serious hailstorm went through a
portion of the country, and as Mr.. Sher-
lock (Molly's husband) was a farmer they
were without any money coming In that
fall' for their crop was in the hail district.
And the many troubles which followed
one after another changed their pleasant
home and small farm to a rented one. But
even then Mr.. Murray would not help Mr..
Sherlock out OF his trouble OF do anything
for him.
Mr.. Murray owned one section of land
which was valuable, and another quarter
which was worth scarcely anything and
had never been farmed even half. because
1t was so rocky and there was so much
brush on it.
In Mr.. Murray's will he divided out all
OF the personal property. giving very lit
tie to Molly; and when he divided the
real estate property he said that the four
boys should take their turn I'm age) as to
which quarter he preferred, and Molly
should have the last one.
And of course, Molly got the quarter
which was not good.
After a consultation had been held be-
tween Molly and Mr.. Sherlock. they de-
cided that as soon as Mr.. Sherlock could
get time, each year he would clean OFF
some OF the brush and then afterwards
have the land to farm.
When the time came each year he i'm
mediately did as had been planned. When
he was blowing it many years afterward
he noticed something queer looking on the
ground in n hole where he had dug. and
found Indian relics. And on closer exami-
nation it seemed to look like water with
lots OF oil in it.
He believed he had found something and
so he dug farther, and after many visits
made by spectators 1t was decided that an
oil well should be started as quick as it
was possible, for there was a large guam
tity of oil all around there.
After that it was a happy family that
owned the last quarter, instead of one wor-
rying for fear of going into debt.
This proved a lesson to all, that working
faithfully and being contented with what
they had brought reward.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

cautious. Plans were being laid, doubtless,
which called for the deepest secrecy to In
sure their successful development.
About 10 o'clock Fatty Thomas gave a
long, low whistle. He was In the shadow
of his fathers barn and was waiting for
the other members of the gang" I'm
mediately after his signal whistle there APP
peared In various corners Of the alley and
stable yard four small dark forms. And
one ut a time came stealthily forward,
and soon the group was complete. There
were Fatty Tom, smithy, Walt and Bert.
the last named having Just Joined the
gang" that day.
;'Well. we're off TO old man Perkins
place for the first stop" said Fatty. After
that wen let the route develop Itself"
There were four Assents. and away they
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

He had been saving money for the purpose
of buying one for II seemed to him a very
long time, but the pile OF money in his
bank grew very slowly and when carefully
counted was found to contain just $3.50.
Mr.. Irving, Harry's father, had a very
grabbed old father of his own, who lived on
a farm near the town where Harry lived.
The summer that Harry was u his grand
father wished him to spend a month on
the farm, for in spite OF his cross ways the
old man had a secret liking for Harry. As
there was no good excuse to prevent him
going, Harry went. but with many mis-
givings. He knew his grandfather kept
horses, but he doubted il he would be
allowed to ride them, and when he reached
the farm he found this to be the case. His
grandfather made him work a good deal,
but this Harry did not mind. However,
there was one thing he wished to do very
much, and that was to ride a pony Of his
grandfather's, named Topsy. His grand
father often noticed him petting Topsy, but
he only smide quietly to himself, and IL
Harry happened to look up, the smile in
stantly left his face. The weeks passed by
and finally the day arrived on which Harry
was to go home. He was to go in the after
noon and he was In the barn petting Topsy
in the morning when his grandfather came
in and said, Harry. 1 want you to take
this note to Mr.. Graham. You may ride
over there on Topsy.'' Harry looked sur
prised, but was very glad to obey. On his
return his grandfather said, Harry, as you
like to ride so well, you may nave Topsy.'
When Harry returned home it was with
very different feelings toward his grand
father, and he had learned tina some peo-
pie have good hearts under a very rough
exterior.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS

i. write plainly on one side Of the
paper only and number the pages.
2. Use pen and ink, not pencil
3. Short and pointed articles will
be given preference. DO not use over
$50 words.
4. Original STOKES or letters only
viii be used.
8. write your name, G and I'd
dress az the top OF the first page.
First and second prizes Of books
Will be given for the best two SON
tributious to this page each week.
Address all communications 60
CHILDREN's DEPARTMENT.,
Omaha Bee.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

LIE uutollOh was oA~ -
~ three or four boys ranging be-
- tween 0 and u years Of age,
and the questloner was Fatty Thomas, the
leader of the gang" The small group was
in the barn belonging on the premises of
Fatty Thomas father. and the time was
Saturday morning, just one week before the
glorious Halloween day" And 1t be-
hGoved the boys to be prepared for the COM
ing festive occasion.
''well. we fixed his wagon and buggy
last year." laughed Tom Banks. 'He told
pop that It took him a week to find all
the parts of the wagon and another to
get them together in correct shape again.
Gee. he was mad"
well, I'm not In for doing any real
mischief" declared smithy Black. But
when a man Is as ugly to US boys as old
man Perkins always is I'm I'm for getting
revenge, Not real revenge, you know; but
just getting even. you might say
Eyes, old man Perkins has always been
pretty hard on us chaps" agreed Walt
Holt. IVY. only last week I was passing
through his big vineyard-the one that
stretches along north of town-and he saw
me, and came yelling after me to get out
at once. No poachers allowed on my land,
0NIs ~ hidao he oOANt ~ wv " 4 " h'NSA
done any harm to old man Perkins. and
he'd no right to yell out at me as though
/ were some sneak thief
We'll" and smithy Black winked at the
other boys, Il don't remember that you
were conspicuous by your absence last
Halloween. And It seems to me that we
did a good deal OF mischief to his wagon
and bugss."
But he chased US out of his melon
patch the summe before" explained Walt.
"And we only got even with him on Hal
iowe'en."
'oh. we've got to give the old gentle
man a little reminder. that we're still doing
business at the same old stand" laughed
Tom Banks. but what shall it be this
Year,"
That's just what I asked the gang
explained Fatty. What. oh. what shall we
do to him.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

was so frightened and hunted all over,
but could not find t.
She did not say anything 70 her mother
and that evening they bought a nice, large
turkey Qor the next day was Thanksgiv-
ing) and when her mother was dressing
the turkey Helen saw her own ring. She
told her mother all about 1t. How happy
she was. But her mother said she was
sorry that Helen did not tell her sooner
and she hoped that she would never dis
obey her mother again. And Helen re-
membered her lesson.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
A Halloween Gates Experience

Beside a window an old lady sat,
Twas the glorious Halloween,
And she had no light, as you may guess,
For she didn't wish to be seen.
But she sat where she could look without
For the hour was getting late,
And she knew the boys would soon be there
To carry away her gate.
And while she sat and peered without
She heard a tramping of feet;
And later she saw a merry crowd
Or boys coming down the street.
They gathered about and unhinged her gate
Their carried It cross the way
Where they hung 1t high up in a tree
To stay till the coming of day.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

The old lady smiled and sat quite stili,
As she looked across at the tree
Nov, some other boys will soon come along
And bring the gate back to me-"
OF boys cross the way soon thronged,
And seeing the gate up In the tree
Carried II over to where II belonged.
They never once guessed the truth, you know
For il they had, you see,
They'd taken the gate to some other yard,
Or let it VI in the tree.
SO the old lady smilingly went to bed,
AS happay as happy as could be;
But when she awoke next morning she saw
Her gate cross the way in q tree.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01
Rows Winning Run

BY Rhea Freldell, Dorchester, Neb. Blue
AS Roy stood and saw the boys practic-
ing before the great foot ball game be-
tween Dorrance and Sherwood his heart
was sad, as he was to be left out and
Tom hurry, the new scholar at
was to play in his place at left half back'
When the whistle blew the two teams
lined up on the field and amid the CHEERS
of the rooters the game began.
For twenty minutes the two teams played
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01


Jean De Long, Ainsworth. Neb.
irene Mccoy, Barnston. Neb.
Mabel Witt, Bennington, Neb.
Agnes Dahmke, Benson. Neb.
Vera Cheney, Creishton. Neb.
Louis Hair. q vid City, Neb..
Rhea-Freidell, Dorchester, Neb.
Eunice Bode, Falls City, Neb.
Fay Wright, Fifth and Belle streets, FIRE.
Ethel Reed, Fremont Neb.
Marguerite Bartholomew, G~othenburg,
Jessie Crawford, 45 West Charles street.
Lydia Roth, sos west Koenig street, Grand
Ella voss, 47 West Charles street. Grand
Pauline Schultz, Az West Fourth street,
Grand Island, Neb.
Alice Temple. Lexington, Neb.
Ruth Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Edythe Kreitz- Lexington, Neb.
Anna Nelson, Lexington, Neb.
Marian Hamilton, 202S L street, Lincoln,
Alice Grassmeyer 15s C street. Lincoln.
Elsie Hamilton, 2o2s L street, lincoln. Neb.
Irene Disher, 2o30 l. street, Lincoln, Neb.
Hughie Disher. 1850 L street. Lincoln, Neb.
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.
folk. Neb.
Bmma M. -ouardt, Fifth street and Madi-
son avenue. Norfolk. Heb.
Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Hugh Rutt, Leshara, Neb.
Hester II. Rutt, LeshRra, Neb.
LILLIAN Writ, 4i5s Cass street. Omaha.
Meyer Cohn, SAC Georgia avenue, Omaha.
Ada Morris. 1924 Franklin street. Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, 1909 lizard street, Omaha.
Gail Howard. f722 Capitol avenue. Omaha.
Helen Heuck. 1925 Lothrop street, Omaha.
Mildred Jensen, 2H L~eavenworth street.
Omaha.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

store and bought six mouse traps and had
Mike set them that very day.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-01

HE Blue side and the Red side are almost even, a number If new Busy
Bees having Joined the Red side, which helps o make this reign a very
interesting one. Some of the new Busy Bees are very young, and If
i they continue to send in as good stories as they are writing when
the Blue side, and to Louise Stiles of Lyons, Nebp also o n the Blue side.
get too old to write for u page. One little writer this week is only Z years
old and sent in a splendid story. An ex-queen of the Busy Bees wrote that
she spent the summer travelling and visiting friends in other states and that
she "a very much pleased to receive Sc many postal cards from the Busy
Bees. Several new names we're added TO the postal card exchange this week
and some of our little Busy Bees have written that they enjoy the cards with
scenery and pictures Of real places.