davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
How Annie Became Lame

BY Agnes Dahmke, r. f. D.. No. /, Ben
son, Neb. Blue.
Tony, Annie and their mother lived in
a shabby old house in the city OF New
port. Their father died two years ago,
SO their mother had to take in washing
to earn a living. Tony was a little news
boy who sold papers for The Daily Bee.
Annie was a lame girl, but she would do
everything she could for her mother. She
was hurt by falling on the pavement
when she was running to the doctor when
her father was Ill.
Annie would also sell papers. Tony
would get the papers for her and help
her up to the street. She would sit on
the sidewalk and sell the papers.
But one winter day the ground was
real slippery and Tony was taking her
TO one of the busy streets, when 1t hap
pened they both fell and Annie hurt her
leg worse than ever and could not walk
home. Tony, seeing some pieces of wood
lying around, quickly fixed up a sled.
Then, putting her on the sled, rode her
home in safety. Since then Annie has
stayed home and kept the house so clean
and neat while her mother was washing.
When Tony earned enough money he
bought her a wheel chair. When Tony
grew to be a man he supported them both.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
Second Prize)
ShlitZ

BY Alfredo Beaver, Aged Is Years, Herman,
Neb., Box 1856. Blue.
I am a brown and white dog and my
name is Shlitz,
My mistress reads The Busy Bee page ev-
cry Sunday.
I like to carry papers, and especially The
Sunday Bee, as I know my mistress Is
waiting for It.
I have a nice collar, of which I am very
proud.
Sometimes I am given a bath. I had one
today. II the water is warm I like 1t very
much.
One day I had my picture taken. I would
not sit still, and so 1 had to be scolded,
which. OF course, / did not like. But l do
like candy and sugar and nuts.
When 1 go uptown 1 am given nuts. so
the men can see me crack them.
My chief delight Is TO catch rats and
shake and play with them.
am not always good, for I often get in
a fight. and then 1 don't look nice with
30 many scratches.
My mistress also has a Maltese kitten,
named Trixy. 1t is the only cat that is
afraid OF me.
Sometimes she scratches me. But, oh, she
makes me awful jealous when she gets up
In my mistress lap, for 1 love to lay there.
l may drop in and call on the editor
sometime II l am down that way, and II
handy.
Well. I will close. as my mistress is call
ing me TO go with her to mail a letter.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

I couldn't stay any longer. 30 I ran away.
1 never want TO see the place again. She
sobbed.
whats that?'' asked Mary's father. who
had become anxious about her. rs this
little girl in trouble?'' Yes, father" an
swered Mary, and she told him all about
her. "well, well. come on home and we1l
see what can be DONE
After Mary had told the story about the
girl at home, her grandpa said: MARY,
would you like her for a PRESENT. "oh.
grandpa! am l really going to have a
sister? You are my best present" she said,
turning to Their present" They were two
happy girls that went to bed that evening
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
Windy Camp

By Morris w. Abbott, Aged 10 Years,
Schuyler, Neb, Red.
Hello, Bob" came a voice from over
the fence.
What's doingG" asked James. II can't
play"
Neither can l." was the sulky reply.
but 1 have In idea"
What is it," asked the former.
Lets run away"
20. X"
II will take the pony, the tent and food,
you take the other things like blankets and
bedding"
I'm with you; what time shall we
start7"
1t was already o'clock, but they started
soon.
well, goodbye, I'll get some stuff"
The boys got the things and started away
with light hearts.
by the way, 1 have some Matches"
said James.
80 have l." said the other.
That's good"
Have you an axe7"
'tSure, I have" said James.
When they were three miles from the
town they stopped.
IT think Ned must be tired" said Bob.
Ned was the pony.
They put up the tent as best they knew
how and built a fire outside of 1t.
"Oh, dearl I forgot bread" said James.
What do we care? / don't like it,
said Bob, the younger.
"Where did you get this money!"
81 stole It," was the answer.
THAT wasn't nice" said James.
Not any worse than running away"
What did you say %. K.'?"
I will not say what else the boys said
because It was not nice.
Now II was quite late, for the pony
went slow. Let's spend the night here"
said James. There was no answer.
I'm sleepy" said Bob, with a yawn.
wake up. you're most like Jacob Poot. -
If any of you have read Hans Brinker''
you know "Poot"
'Guess I'll sleep, too" said James.
In the middle OF the night a wind sprung
up. Look" said James, five minutes
later. wake up. Poot," said James. The
tent was gone.
II want to go home" cried Bob. Go.
them said James. There's no place like
home" said Bob.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

First he scambered to the rose bushes and
scratched at them, then to the beds Of the
llies-of-the-valley and finally he found a
wonderful treasured How he barked with
delight and scampered round and ROUND it
before going quite up to it. In fact he
made such a noise with his excited barks
that his little mistress ran out TO see what
was the matter.
"Oh, Rover" laughed his mistress, do
stand still a minute; that's a good little
doggiel"
And Rover looked UP in astonishment
while she ran into the house and returned
with a little black box in her hand.
Now, what on earth has she got there? -
he thought to himself. ut looks rath er
Interesting" And he looked up at his
mistress In a most knowing way. as much
as to say: II quite understand, dear little
mistress; we're both excited sometimes
just over our treasure.
Presently he heard a snap. Nv got
him at last" And to his disgust Rover
found that he had been photographed.
And to think I've been caught at last,
after escaping every time she wanted to
take me before" he growled.
Curiosity generally gets you into trouble.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

weak. No. they will never set eyes on me
again"
'Ah. then. II thou dost chance to meet
with a fairy, and she gives thee a goodluck
charm, and thou dOst make thy fortune
straightway thou wilt keep thy abode a
secret from thy kinfolkl Is that thy plan?'
Yes, for 1t will be through my own eff
fort that 1 get the fortune" declared
Tommy. "And should my uncle and aunt
hear OF my good luck they would straight
way wish to come and live with me. And
I do not wish TO have myself hampered by
queer old country folk. They would cause
the city aristocracy to laugh at memo
matter how rich and powerful / might be-
You know, good dame, that old country
folk-and those that have always been so
very poor-are made light off by very fine
folk. And my uncle limps in one leg-he
cut II with an axe last winter and a very
bad wound made him lams-and my aunt
has a bent ~back-from carrying faggots for
our fire-and course feet and hands. OF
course, they are very good folk. and have
given TO me all hat they could possibly
give, but 1 could never allow them TO APP
pear In my c~astle-after 1 have made my
fortune-and make a Jest OF me"
Let US be seated for a moment,' sug-
rested the old woman. Il am a bit weary
Of walking in the dust. and am at the end
Of my journey in this direction. Besides.
you must be very tired also"
Tommy admitted that be was a bit tired
IN his feet. and sat down on the roadside.
After he was seated tAs old woman, Wh0
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
Mary's Birthday Present

By a E. Howard, Ex-Queen, Aged 13
Years, 4722 Capitol avenue, Omaha,
Neb. Blue.
Mary had been waiting in the parlor
for about twenty-five minutes, for her
guests. 1t was now 1:45 o'clock and Mary
had received three presents from the
family. The first was a ring, with a
sapphire setting. given by her grandmother.
The second was a little buff cat. This
was given by her father. And last of all,
but not least, was q pair OF tan slippers
and stockings, given by her mother.
At 2 o'clock the children began to ar
rive. When the last girls were going. they
asked Mary to go. Coming home, Mary
heard someone crying, and, going near,
she saw a little girl. What Is the mat
teri" asked Mary. "Is there something l
can do for your" Il am an orphan" she
began, land l went to a place were the
people beat me and nearly starved me.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

from them, leaving them in their loneliness
and poverty, that he might the better thrive
without them. All. do not ask Of a fairy a
good-luck charm! Fairies help only the
good. Remember hat. And II thou canst
feel shame for thy conduct toward thy
good uncle and aunt, they may take thee
into their arms and forgive thee. But none
Of my help will thou receive till thou art
truly repentant. And remember, we fairies
can read the human heart. l shall know
whether or not thou art trying to deceive
thy kinsfolk and me. And now sit and
ponder over what has happened in thy
young life. and repent Of thy selfishness
and heartlessness l shall return to thy
people to explain that thou are not dead
nor stolen, but just running away. but that
doubtless they will see thee soon, for thou
art 50 young that thy heart will show
thee thy follies before another fun moon.
And now adieu. 1 am off TO thy uncle and
aunt, who will need my good-luck charm. D.
And so saying the fairy queen left Tommy
Upper sitting in the dust, wondering how
he could ever have been so ungrateful TO
the dear old uncle and aunt who had done
so much for him. And in his young heart
was being born repentance and love. And
thought OF the grief he was about to bring
to the dear old folk who had been second
mother and father to him.
And then he saw the fairy beckoning to
him. and she was crying out;
Thou hast rsDsntsd Of thy sins and art
forgiven. lad"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
Phil's Temptation

BY Gladys Hindman, Aged Q Years, East
Maine Street, Geneva, Neb. Red.
Phil had been at grandpa's for almost two
months. He had thought It would be tho
finest thing in the world to spend a whole
season on the farm. But he was already
tired Of 1t. In his city home he had been
used TO many cempanions and much
amusement. Here, It seemed to him, theirs
was no change in the daily routine Of
eating, working and sleeping. The only
person he saw was George Jarvis, the
hired man, and in his heart he knew
that George was not a companion OF whom
bis parents could approve.
why don't you get some tobacco"
George asked Phil one evening when the
two sat on the back steps together after
the chores" were done. You rave to
either smoke or chew IL you stay in such
a lonesome hole as this. Here, don't you
want to try q chew7
mo. I believe not PHI said trying to
speak carelessly.
Better take t." urged George. Put It
in your pocket-you'n come to It some
day"
Phil put the tobacco into his pocket.
He had no idea that he would use It, but
he had not the courage to refuse outright
But the next day, when he was In the
field alone. Georges words came backi
You have to either smoke or chew II you
stay in such a lonesome hole as this"
1t was lonesome-bttteriy lonesome. A
pain tugged at his heart an the time He
longed for home, for his friends, for any
sort Of amusement. II that chew of
tobacco would help to pass the time. why
not take it2
Then Jesus led up into the wilderness,
to be tempted OF the devfl. Phil had known
the passage for a long time. But. some
how, 1t had been never meant anything to
him before. Jesus knewi He too had been
lonely and starved in heart He knew
how temptation tuEged at such a time
Down on his knees in the corn-fieid
went Phil. He was a good woman's son
and he knew she was praying for him
everyday. Now he prayed for himself. the
prayer his mother had taught him long
ago: Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil" The words were
full Of meaning for him now. He was
praying to one who knewl
I'm going to be q better boy"
He wrote to his mother that night. 'The
country is a good place to find out the
good that's in you-and the bad too"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

was yet standing. threw off her cloak and
disclosed TO Tommy the most beautiful
youthful form and face he had ever seen.
Now, young lad" said the new creature
who was not an old woman at all, but a
tions about your uncle and aunt. / shall
return to them and give them a good-luck
charm. And l hall cure the wound in thy
uncle's leg and straighten the bend in thy
aunt's back; and l shall see that their
fields yield p%lentffully, abundantly, and
that no more hunger or cold will cause
them to suffer. 1 shall make them rich and
happy. All! they are noble folk 70 take
into their poor house the orphan son OF a
kinsman. And they love thee like their
own, thous sayest?"
questioned Tommy, his eyes wide with
wonder and happiness. And viii not thou
do first for me? Oh I do so wish to be-
come rich and powerful"
"Ah! thou art a most selfish lad" said
the fairy queen. a little frown wrinkling
her brow. And thou wouldst leave in
w-retchedness, sickness and poverty thy own
dear old kinfolks-they that hast loved
thee as their own. have suffered and
worked for thee? Ali, and dost thou dare
TO beg OF a fairy a good-luck charm2 Bah,
lad. thou hast yet TO learn that no good
luck could come through even = fairy's
charm 70 one who is selfish and migrate
full. To thy uncle and aunt / shah 50, and
shall tell them not 10 break their hearts
about the cruel lad who W1ltuly ran away
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
A Trip to the Moon

BY Bertha Schmidt, Aged IA Years, s12
West T~wenty-sixth Street, Kearney,
Neb. III
Mildred n Harold lived in the country,
near a small stream. On this particular
day they had been wandering up and down
the stream looking for clam shells, and
feeling tired, had decided to lie down in
the shade Of q large tree.
up, saw coming toward them a small air
ship. In It was a fairy dwarf. who beck
oned to them and said. Come and / will
take you to the moon" So they got in and
In a minute were there.
But what funny housesi Mildred and
Harold had never seen any like them be-
fore. They were made Of gingerbread and
were only about two feet high. The win
lows were of candy, which was as clear
as crystal.
The people were very small dwarfs, the
largest being only a foot tall.
The fairy then took them to a nearby
%cornfield, where they were cutting the
corn. They had to be very careful, for
II a cornstalk would fall on one of these
little people 1t would surely mean death.
AS soon as one was cut Own they would
As soon as one was cut down they would
put It on a little cart. These carts were
drawn by dwarf ponies. one stalk being all
they could carry at once.
They then started home, both thanking
the fairy for their pleasant trip and bid
ding her goodbye, were awakened to hear
their mother calling them for supper.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
Tommy Upper and the Fairy
~ Maud walksr.

he had lived during his orphsnhood,
ard who had been a second mother to him
had so often said TO him: Maybe, my
son, the fairies will bless thee with good
luck some day. May 1t so happen" And
then she would sigh, the deep-drawn sigh
Of the anxious, loving and hopeful mother.
And Tommy had wondered II, indeed, the
fairies would come to lead him to wealth
and power.
But Just as he was thinking of this he
heard q sound beside him and, CHANGING
up, beheld a strange-looking old dame,
walking softly along the road with him.
He had not noticed her approach, and had
no idea how long she had been accom-
panyins him
Good even, lad" spoke the strange wo-
man. "Goest thou far tonight?"
r. II am going to the city" replied Tommy.
but as 1 do not know how far 1t is from
here 1 cannot tell how long I shall be max
ing the Journey. Dost thou know where
abouts the city is?'
MANY leagues distant, lad, and your
young feet will become very tired, and they
head dizzy with distance, and thy stomach
empty for food" replied the woman. But
maybe l may bear thee company. l am
going In that direction"
II shall be glad OF thy company" declared
Tommy, already feeling the loneliness OF
being alone. And maybe thou canst tell
me about the fairies. and where 1 am most
likely to meet them"
"Dost thou wish to be blessed by a fairy
for good luck7' asked the old woman,
looking into Tommy's face.
"Oh, very, very much" cried Tommy,
eagerly. Il am a very poor lad, and V
no one to help me one little mite"
"What-and hast thou no parents-no
kim" asked the woman.
II have an aunt and an uncle" explained
Tommy. But they are poor as can be.
Why, very seldom do we have enough to
eat. And my uncle and aunt are now too
old to make a fortune. The fairies do not
help the old"
"Oh, l understand" said the woman.
And thou dost wish to find the fairies on
thy own a~ccountl Am I right?"
Yes. good dame" admitted Tommy.
And not for thy uncle and aunt ?" asked
the woman.
For none but myself" declared Tommy
Il have run away this night that 1 may &c
to the city to seek my fortune. n
hope to meet a fairy on the way"
And thy uncle and aunt-what will they
do when they find thee gone7" asked
TOmmy's strange companion.
They will grieve very hard, for they
love me as their own" said Tommy
Z proudly. And they may try to overtsk'
! me-. But that they cannot do, for they are
l old and feeble, and hunger makes them
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
An Accident

BY Porter Dodson, Aged 10 Years, WILDER,
Neb.
Once a little girl, by the name Of Elsa
Brown, when visiting her aunt in the
country, was nearly drowned She tried
to sail a little ship her aunt had given her
on her hast birthday. When she put the
ship in the water It became ~entangled in
the brush, along the bank. and. as she
stopped over to loosen it, she fell into the
water. Her cries were heard by a neigh
Dor hat lived nearby and ran to her res
cue. Leaping into the water. he brought
her safely to land. The boy deserved
praise for his prompt action. as the water
was very deep, where the little girl fell in.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
Violet's Fairy

BY Audrey Gather. Aged II Years, Cam
bridge, Neb. Red.
Violet was lying in the hammock reading
one afternoon when suddenly a little fairy
came before her and said: Have you been
good today Violet?' mo, ! am afraid not.
said Violet, but II you do not punish me.
I will be as good as 1 can be all the time"
''Then I will give you a WISH" said the
fairy. "Ohl Oh then I want a diamond
ring" said Violet. Your wish is granted"
said the fairy. Then she slipped the ring
on her finger and disappeared.
Just then Violet woke up. why, l have
been dreaming!" She looked at the finger
and the ring was there. She ran in ard
told her mamma. Her mamma laughed
and told her that her Aunt Mary from
Omaha came while she was asleep in the
hammock and slipped the ring on her
finger 10 surprise her. Then there aren't
any fairies?" asked Violet. NO, dear"
was the reply. But ! am glad Aunaie
came and I shall be good low" And she
was.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

They asked her II she would like to visa
Fairyland. She said she would, but abe
was too big. Content touched her with
her wand and she began to grow small
soon she found herself In Tairyland. sha
saw two little dwarfs that were not work.
ing, so she asked why they did not work.
Content said that they were lazy and dis
contented and that they didn't get anything
to eat. And you shall not have anything
TO eat unless you are contented. Then she
heard her mother calling her and she
awoke. Her mother said. you have com-
pany. so come and play" Gertie told all
that had happened and she was always
contented after that.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
A Brave Deed

BY Agnes Richmond. Aged IS Years. Or
leans, Neb. Blue.
1t was a hot July day and Jack was
walking along the dusty road toward
home. He heard the sound Of horses feet
and then a scream. Jack started TO run,
but just then a horse and buggy came
round the corner. The horse was foaming
and tearing. Jack rushed to the center
of the road and waved his hat. The
horse slackened its pace and Jack caught
hold of the bride. AS he caught It a
woman came running around the corner
and Jack found that a little baby lay In
the bottom Of the buggy.
Jack was certainly a brave boy and
was we'll rewarded for his brave deed.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09

-m- OMMY Topper was a little boy
-" that lived a very, very long
time ago. In fact, he lived so
- many, many generations ago
HOFFMAN,. that during his lifetime fairies
- existed-a thing which proves
that Tommy Upper was Of a past age.
And Tommy Upper (Which was not his
real name, but only a name given to him
30 that our English speaking little readers
may have no difficulty In pronouncing i)
was a very poor boy, living with an old
aunt and uncle. who willingly shared
with their orphan nephew what little
they had of the worlds goods. But all
three went to bed hungry many and many
nights. and all three went cold many and
many winter days. Only In the summer
did they have any comfort, and that was
because the weather was so warm that
they needed few clothes, little food, and
could sleep out of doors under the glorious
skies, which were studded with stars that
seemed to Tommy Upper to be forever
winking at him as he lay on his back look
ing up at them and wondering what they
were.
And one night, as Tommy Topper lay on
his pallet watching the stars wink. he be-
gan to form a plan in his mind. And the
plaT was for his future. He had been
thinking of late that the sort Of life he was
leading could not always endure He must
get away from the poor old uncle and aunt
and their poverty. But how was he to de-
part from his kinsfolk without their con-
sent? And he knew that while he was still
of tender years they would object to his
leaving them. And Tommy Upper knew
that 1t was their love for him that would
prompt their refusing TO grant his Tequest
to leave them.
"Tn creep away at night while they
sleep the tired sleep OF the old and over
worked poor sad Tommy to himself
"And in the morning they'll be too weary
to follow me, for their breakfast will be
seanty and they will get TO strength from
It. Besides, they must hurry into the
fields to work. for the winters provendei
depended upon the crop they can raise witt
their own old hands from a WORKOUT field
thai stretches stlngily along q hillside
And as Tommy thus pondered the OLD
uncle and aunt slept soundly on theii
pallet, which was spread on the soft grass
that grew about their cottage. And they
did not awake when Tommy crept softly
from his bed and went off over the hill
following the road that led 10 a city, many
many miles distant. Tommy had ofteI
heard OF this city, but had never been there
And, as he walked along through tn,
dust, the calm OF an August night abou
him, he began to think of the fairies o
whom he had heard 50 many wonderful
tales. Old Aunt Pag-the relative witt
Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor and Busy Bees:
1 am spending the summer in Colorado
and am having a fine time We are going
to the mountains soon 10 spend the rest
OF the summer. Yesterday papa Forwarded
me from my home In Ord the Busy Bsa
page and / found that "Dorothy's Red
Cap received second prize. am SO de-
lighted. because Il was my last chance,
for this week 1 passed my fifteenth birth
day.
In the six months that I have been a
memhcr ~ the Busy Bees I have received
four prizes and two honorary meutioaA.
and wish to thank you for them
Please keep my name in the post card
exchange.
I hope. dear editor. you and the Busy
Bees will not quite forget me Go0A1by&
MADGD L nA1uMA
Denver, Cole, july - 49,