davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
Gretchen's Trip
BY Helen Johnson. Aged 10 Years, 1884 s
18th Street, Lincoln, Neb. Red.

By Helen Johnson, Aged 10 Years, 1874 s.
18th Street, Lincoln. Neb. Red.
Gretchen was a little Dutch girl who
lived in Holland. She had often read
about the children in America and longed
to go there and dress and act like them.
One evening Gretchen and her mother
were out feeding the doves when they
saw the father coming up the road.
Gretchen and her mother ran joyfully to
meet him. The father put his hand on
the little girls head and turned her face
upward. 81 nave a great surprise for
YOU" he said. "I have planned these two
the time to go. so 1 can keep 1t no
longer. Gretchen began to jump up and
down and begged her father to tell all
about It. 1--WE are to sail in three
weeks for America on the steamer Lou
ise.' Now, how does that suit my little
family?" spoke the father 20. father,
do you really mean it. that we are to go
where the American children live?" asked
Gretchen. At last the day came when
they were to sail over the waves. Gret-
chen wal SO happy that she hardly knew
how to act. She made friends with every
one IN the steamer, but sometimes grew
homesick for her pets and playmates at
sailed into the wharf and a little Dutch
girl, her mother and father landed. The
father had planned to stay a year and to
send Gretchen to school, which made her
very happy.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

who lived in a rude log cabin on the side
of a mountain.
Benny's father was a trapper, by which
means he made a living.
Benny stayed at home and did the chores.
Every afternoon before eating his supper
he went down the mountain side a short
way TO get wood. He was very brave and
wanted TO go with his father, but had no
gun. At that time guns were very scarce
and his father was too poor to buy one.
Benny's only wish was for a gun.
One automn day, when the sun was sink
ing On the west, he started out for wood,
He had gathered a good share, when down
the mountain a little way Benny heard a
faint cry of "Help!' Help and he ran
like the wind in the direction of the voice.
He was running at full speed. when he
almost ram into a large bear, standing over
the form of a middle-aged man.
Benny rushed, with the only thing he had,
a small axe, and gave the bear a r~esounding
whack over the back, and the bear dropped
dead.
Benny learned afterwards that he had
broken the bears backbone.
The man soon recovered and said that he
would remember his little hero's wish.
Benny was a happy boy, but was still
happier when one day a big bundle came
which contained "a brand new rifle. On it
was a tag which said, "To a brave little
boy from a friend" There was not a
happier boy in the whole region than
Benny. That was how he got his gun.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
Second Prize.)
NeWsboy Johnny
BY Renna N. Mead, Aged 12 Years,

By Renna N. Mead, Aged ~ Years, Blair,
Neb. Blue,
Newsboy Johnny was a small boy, 10
years old, who lived with his parents in a
large city. His father was a rich banker
and Johnny being an only child of rich
parents you would think him selfish, but
he was not.
He was called Newsboy Johnny by both
his poor and rich playmatcs. His rich
playmates dropped it at him sarcastically.
His poor playmates called him Newsboy
Johnny because Of something that hap
pened in this way:
One day while Johnny was down town he
came across three little newsboys working
together selling three different kinds of
papers. One of them came up to Johnny
and asked him in such a pitiful way to
buy a paper. But Johnny had spent his
money and could not buy it. It influenced
Johnny so that in his sleep he dreamed he
was a newsboy. He dreamed he had got
papers in the morning and sold only seven,
getting 20 cents or ~thereabouts. He had sold
so few he would not go home to his father.
He knew if he did his father would beat
him for not selling more. take his money
from him and send him to bed without any
supper. Then he would take the money
and go to town to spend 1t in a saloon.
SO Johnny lin his dream) laid down in a
dry goods box to go to sleep with nothing
to eat but a ~two-penny loaf of bread.
When Johnny woke up In the morning
he found himself in his snug little bed.
Though naturally a good boy Johnny
seemed better still, through the Influence
of this dream. Always afterward when he
would see a little newsboy trying to sell
his papers he would give him his pennies
and nickels.
This is why his rich playmates sarcas-
tically called him Newsboy Johnny. Also
why his poor playmates thought so much
of him and called him Newsboy Johnny in
earnest.
Imagine yourself in a newsboy's place
Try to imagine a poor newsboy's life and
be more kind to the poor little fellows who
try to sell you a paper.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

shrub, and began to arrange another net
for stretching.
While he was thus engaged he heard a
voice calling Justify: Harry! Harry
Where are you?"
Here 1 am, sister" cried Harry, then
blew on his fingers so that the shrill
whistle would lead her to the spot. But,
say" he exclaimed. as a little girl ap-
peared, 81 don't like for you to follow
me. You make so much noise that you
drive the squirrels away, And I'm trap
ping some In the hare-net that Uncle
Tom had with his hunting outfit. See,
I've got a fine big one there" And he
pointed toward Madam Squirrel, who
was at the moment e%ndeavoring to get
out Of the elosely-meshed net. But in
vain, poor thing.
The little girl saw Madam Squirrels
plight, and Immediately her face became
serious and sorrowful. How dare you
do such a cruel thing, Harry?" she asked.
Now, don't you rave any pity for the
poor little wild thing? Suppose some
great monster should come along and
trap you in some way and carry you off
to a prison? You wouldn't like it very
much, I'm sure.
well, Tn a boy, and a squirrel is an
animal. That's the difference the boy
tepAed Everybody catches squirrels,
rabbits, and other wild things he de-
clared with spirit. And what's more
/ wish you'd stayed at the camp and not
come bothering me here"
Tn little girl sat down on a fallen
tree trunk and said in a very gentle tone:
Harry, dear, you don't stop to think
that animals suffer when robbed Of their
freedom Just as much as people do. II
you and l were robbed Of our freedom
we'd feel pretty unhappy, You know how
much you love the big out-of-doors. and
enjoy your liberty. Now, brother, please
remember that all creatures-especially
those born Wild-love freedom. And who
can tell-that dear little frightened SOUR
rel there, trying as she is IN vain to get
out Of the net. may be a mother squirra,
and in taking her into captivity we may
be robbing some little sauirrelies OF their
mother and her protection. Now, dear,
I'm going back to the camp and leave
you to think over what I've said about
the squirrel you have caught there in the
net. Mama was preparing luncheon
when I came in search Of you Papa and
uncle had returned from their explora-
tin of that cliff, and said there are
some awfully interesting mineral speci-
mems TO be picked up there. After lunch
con they are going 70 take you and me
round there. Mamma will remain at the
camp and rest. She's so tired after the
long wagon journey Of yesterday and
last night. My, but it's glorious to be
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

here in the great wild woods, isn't It?
And camping for a week will bring us
very close to nature, its beauties and
freedom" Then Harry's sister left him,
running off through the woods toward
the camp, where they were rusticating
for a few days.
After she had gone Harry sat watching
the frightened little captive in the net.
And as he recalled all that his good
hearted little sister had said, a look of pity
for the poor entrapped squirrel came over
his face, and he rose and went to the
tree where he had tied the nets strings.
Loosening them, he gave Madam Squirrel
her liberty. Then he went off through
the woods, whistling with a clear en-
science.
After all, it's a good thing to listen
to girls once in awhile" soliloquized
Harry. They may not be very brave,
very strong, nor as jolly as boys, but
they're a Ions sight better at heart. 1t
would never have occurred to me that
that little squirrel might be a mother.
Anyway, mother, father, aunt or uncle,
1 reckon she is glad to get her liberty
again. And feel better about it, too. 1
don't want to be cruel to the smallest
creature. But I'm sometimes blamed
t~houghless."
And as Harry wandered away from the
place where the squirrels had lived un-
hurt for so long, Madam Squirrel was
huTrying home as fast as she could to
relate to Wrinkle and Blinkie her terri
BILE experience, and to warn her neigh
bors against a thin, webbed net which
might be found stretched secretly In
the grass and leaves. and which would
catch the unsuspecting feet of her kind.
We've got to be watchful now" said
Madam Squirrel to herself. And II that
monster comes about here again l think
wen have to move farther into the
wood. All, If only he would stay away
place to ourselves, We ask 50 little, aad
can be so happy II not molested."
And Madam Squirrel got her wish, for
never again did she see the two-legged
monster proving about in that part of
the forest, and the squirrels lived on and
on In peace and contentment. A little girl
had saved them.
Having carefully examined in many
cases the wounds thus made in horses,
mules, pigs and other animals-observa-
tons that have been confirmed by in
formation received from the inhabitants
of the northern part Of Brazil l am led
TO believe that the puneture which the
vampire makes In the skin Of animals is
effected by the sharp. hooked nail Of its
thumb. and that from the wound thus
made It abstracts the blood by the sue
torial powers Of its lips and tongue"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

against which she was leaning her head,
swayed silently to and fro.
She had not read half Of the story before
her head began to nod and her eyelids to
droop. Suddenly the roses which she had
been scattering about the lawn took the
shape of hideous little COLLINS, dancing in
every direction she hooked.
She was very much frightened, but gath
ering courage she stammered: "M-may 1
-er-ask whom you are?"
I'VE? Oh, we're all brothers except the
one standing there on your finger, who is
Badness, our father. The one swinging OH
that blade of grass is Ruderess and this is
Untruthful. BY the way, my name is Pert
ness. The other may tell you their names
themselves" replied the pert little elf.
Then all the others told their names.
And now suggested Disgrace, 'let us
cut Willie Aliens kite string. l know that
that's his kite. We will climb a telegraph
pole and at the first chance cut the string
You (pointlrg at Lilllan) are to catch the
kite when it falls"
Certainly, agreed all except Lillian.
please don't do So" pleaded a beautiful
soft voice, and looking up Lillian saw the
Fairy Queen.
At the sound of her voice the COLLINS fled
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
Madam Squirrel and Her Children
ny Helena Davis.

Squirrel to Wrinkle and Blinkie, don't
dare to peep one eye out OF this house till
/ assure you It Is safe TO do so. n now
I'm going to take another peep" So say
ing the good mother crept to the outer en-
trance of her fine, cozy house and peeped
toward the spot where the monster had
been see by her stretching his long legs
and arms. To her happiness, the being had
disappeared. OF course, Madam Squirrel
did not feel quite sure that he had gone
altogether. but she was glad to see that
he was not near to her tree. Now, my
dears, / shall go and warn our ~nelghbors,
for they should know hat a terrible AMI
NAL Is in the woods In our very midst"
Then Madam Squirrel vent out to tell
her ~neighbors about the strange appear
anoe Of the giant animal, as she thought
the big boy. But, very sad to. relate,
Madam Squirrel got her feet entangled In
a queer net-something she had not seen
strentched on the ground as she went run
ming toward the nearest ~neighbors. And In
spite Of her efforts to untangle herself
she found that the net had closed up
around her. and then she beheld, to her
terror, that the huge, two-legged animal
was holding two strings which were at
tached to the ~net-poor Madam Squirrels
cage.
"Oh, OH" she walled, feeling certain that
her end had come. "Oh. II only there was
some one to tell my beloved Wrinkle and
Blinkie of my fate! They'll watch and
watch for their mothers return. And
they'll never know that I was entrapped
by this monster. Indeed. my two precious
ones may fall victims also to this giant
animal. Oh. could l but warm them!'
Then the poor lady squirrel dropped
down into her net-cage and covered her
weeping eyes with her tail, Meanwhile,
the big boy-the one whom we have seen
beneath the tree close to her home
closed the ret's strings, tied them to a
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
The Road to Happiness
By Letha Larkin, Aged IA Years. Sout
Sixth Street- Norfolk Nah Blue

By Letha Larkin, Aged IA Years, South
Sixth Street, Norfolk, Neb. Blue.
Floris Black was a little girl who was
very unhappy. She never would try to
make others happy. and. therefore. was a
very unhappy girl.
One day when Floris had spoiled a little
picnic Of her playmates, she went home and
lay on the green grass. thinking what an
unhappy girl she was, when suddenly she
saw a large road in front Of her and along
the sides were beautiful flowers growing.
Above the road, on a long board, was
written: THE Road to Happiness" A
gatekeerer was standing in front OF the
road and asked Floris II she wished to
enter?
oh, yes" said Floris, eagerly.
you must sign this pledge. 1t is called
the pledge of Happiness. You must al
ways be happy and make others happy.
Floris signed 1t and went in, and she
never felt happier in her life. She saw
some OF her friends outside and beckoned
for them to enter.
She did everything she could to make
others happy. The road Yves long and fill d
with many people and many were standing
outside. Then F1oris opened her eyes, for
It was only a dream, and after that F1orls
spread happiness wherever she went, and
she said, II never knew what real happi-
ness was TIL l entered The Road to Hap
piness."
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
Dora's Sacrifice
BY Josephine Rolf, Aged 9 Years, Lex,
ington, Neb., Blue.

by Josephine Rolf, Aged 8 Years, Lex
ington, Neb., Blue.
Dora was a little girl about eight years
old and was the pet of both her father
and mother. But Dora was not selfish as
most children are when they are made so
much OF.
One bright and sunny morning when
Dora awoke and went to give her mother
her morning kiss, to her great surprise
Dora found a little baby brother. Oh! he
was such a sweet, cute little thing. with
big blue eyes and light hair. Each day
Dora watched him Until he was able to
walk, then Dora. who was growing more
fond Of him each day, would take him
for a lite walk; and after school the
baby would run to the window and watch
until he could see Dora coming; then he
would clap his little hands and COO and
laugh until Dora would run in and AXE
him up in her arms and almost smother
him with kisses.
But alas! one day when Dora came hom.S
no little brother was watching for her,
and when she went into the house she
found poor little baby brother lying
stretched out on the bed, burning up with
fever. The doctor called every day, but
baby grew wrose each day until the
Ange Of Death took the little one home
to heaven.
After baby had been put in the church
yard, little Dora never was seen idle;
but Instead Of playing she was placing
flowers on the fresh-moulded grave or
trying to make other children happy by
speaking kindly TO them. And thus Dora
grew to w~omanhood. But the little grave
in the churchyard was never forgotten.
Each day d fresh bouquet of flowers was
placed on it.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
Honorable Mention.)
Ralph's Reward

Helen Jillson, Aged 10 Years, Crete, Neb.
Ralph lived with his grandmother. They
were very poor and had only one penny
left. Ralph's grandmother told him to go
down town and buy a bun for himself.
Reaching the store he tried to buy two Of
something for one penny. Al last he said
to the clerk: "Can 1 have two rolls for
one penny" and the clerk said mo"
Then Ralph went to another store and
asked the same thing, and the clerk
answered yes" When Ralph got home
he found his grandmother sick in bed
from lack of food, and he gave her both
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
Our Surprise
BY Charlotte Robb, Lexington,

By Charlotte Robb, Lexington, Neb., Aged
8 Years. Blue.
One day when we came home from school,
grandma was not home, and when we
went to go out on the back porch. to
our great surprise, we found by the dining
room door a new Edison photograph that
grandpa had bought and sent home. We
took It in the house, and when grandpa
came home that night, he set up and played
all the records. 1t was not long. how
ever, until l could play 1t. And we enjoy
it very much. Grandpa always buys such
pretty, new records hat we never tire list
ening to it.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
A Nice Day

By Gertrude Patterson, Aged 8 Years.
Nebraska City. Red.
One day Margaret and some of her
friends were going to have a picnic out in
the woods.
The day of the picnic Margaret woke up
very much delighted to think that it was
the day of the picnic.
The first thing she did when she got out
of bed was to look out of the window to
see how the weather was.
When she looked out, to her great de-
light, it was a very nice day.
So Margaret and her friends had a nice
day in the woods.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

for they knew that she had power over
them.
MY dear Lillian said she, II am so
glad that you would not agree to what they
said, and If you will also promise Eever to
tease your kitten or make faces at your
brother again, l will invite you to our ball,
which is to -"
But the sentence was never finished, for
Lillian awoke, and although she discovered
that she had only been dreaming, she re-
solved never to do what the fairy had for
hidden,
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

Teacher-Johnny can you tell me where
the north pole Is?
Small J~ohnny-Yes, ma'am. It's at the
top of the map.
Little Allen was crying because he had
accidentally let his toy ballon get away
from him.
Never mind. Allen said his small
sister. when you DIE and go to heaven
you'll get It again"
Fond Mamma-So you were head of the
class today. That's my bright little boy!
Did you study extra hard to get there?
Candid Little Boy-No'm; the other boy
staid home.
Little Bobby had been persistently mis-
chievous throughout the day, and late in
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

rolls. Then he went out to draw seine
water. Returning. he saw his grand
mother holding a little envelope and
smiling. Here are some strawberry seeds
60 out OF doors and plant them. So Ralph
took them outdoors and planted them
When he had them all covered up he looked
to see II he had all the weeds pulled up
when suddenly some leaves sprang up
from the ground with some ripe
ries. Then he went into the house and
brought out two big iron kettles and filled
them with strawberries. Then he went
into the town and sold them. When he
came home he had ten dollars. The next
day he filled the iron kettle again and
started off. On his way he met a little
fairy, who said to him: You will soon
be very rich, for you were so unselfish as
to give your grandmother both rolls"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS

!. write plainly on n side Of the
paper only and number he pages.
Q. use pen and Ink, o DeaetI
q. Short and pointed articles VIII
be given preference. DC not use over
25o words.
4. Original stories Or letters only
VIII be used. t.
.. write your name, age ana ad-
dress at the top OF the nrSt page.
First and second prizes Of books
viii DO given for the best two con-
sributions to this page each week.
Address all communications TO
OHUDREN'S D2PARTMENT,
Omaha Bee.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

Jean De Long, Ainsworth. Neb.
Irene Mccoy, Barnston. Neb.
Lillian Merwin, Beaver City, Neb.
Made witt, Bennington, Neb.
Agnes Dahmke, Benson, Neb.
Vera Cheney. Creighton, Neb.
Louis Hahn, David city, Neb.
Euntce Bode,. Falls City, Neb.
Fay Wright. Fifth and Belle streets, FIRE.
mont, Neb.
Ethel Reed. Fremont, Neb.
Hulda Lundburg, Fremont. Neb.
Marguerite Bartholomew. Gothenburg,
Jessie Crawford. 4O5 West Charles street.
Grand Island. Neb.
Claire Roth. sos West Koenig street, Grand
Island, Neb.
Ella voss, 4O7 West Charles street. Grand
Isl-nd, Neo.
Alice Temple. Lexington, Neb.
Edythe Krcitz, Lexington, Neb.
Anna Nelson, Lexington, Neb.
Alice Grassmeyer, 1915 C street, Lincoln,
Elsie Hamilton. 2O29 L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Irene Disher, 2OSO L street, Lincoln. Neb.
Hughle Disher, 20S0 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.
Letha Larkin, South Sixth street. Nor
folk, Neb.
Emma M; rquardt, Fifth street and Madi-
son avenue, Norfolk, Neb.
Genevieve M. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Hugh Rutt, Leshara. Neb.
Hester E.. Rutt, Leshara, Neb.
Lillian Writ, 4l5S. Cass street, Omaha.
Ada Morris, s4a FRANKLIN street, Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, 2e09 lizard street, Omaha.
Gail Howard, 4722 Capitol avenue, Omaha.
Helen Heuck, 1925 Lothrop street, Omaha.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
(First Prize.)
Lillian's Dream

By Myrtle Jensen, Aged IL Years, 1909 Izaro
Street, Omaha. Blue.
Lillian was sitting in the garden among
the flowers, reading the fairy tale OF
Beauty and the Beast at the same tim
idly plucking roses and forset-me-nots and
strewing them about her. A gentle south
breeze was m%urmuring a sweet lullaby
while the branches Of the tall. stately elm
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06
Prattle of the Youngsters

the afternoon his mother decided to stop
his antics.
Bobby. II you do not cease annoying
me shall send you to bed without your
supper" she warned.
Ma" began Bobby, seriously, would
you mind telling me what we're going to
have for supper"
Mrs. De smythe-Tommy, do you want
some nice plum jam?
Tommy-Yes, mother.
II was going to give you some to put
on your bread, but I've lost the key TO the
pantry"
you don't need the key, mother. I
can reach down through the window and
open the door from the inside"
That's what I wanted to know. Now
just wait till your father comes home
Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-06

trees in that fine grove that afforded
Madam Squirrel, Wrinkle and Blinkie a
house. And all day long they were happy,
There were nuts, berries and soft. green
grass in abundance, and a great many
very congenial ~neighbors all about them.
And there was a little brook running
through the grove, finding its source in a
deep, bowlder-sheltered spring. And from
that spring the squirrels came daily to
refresh themselves with cool, delicious
drink, and they often bathed in the brook
that ran Thinking over a clear, pebbled
bottom.
But one day as Madam Squirrel sat on
a lin that projected near her house en-
trance size was surprised at a strange and
curious object that was under a tree
nearby. She sat very quiet, watching 1t,
and feeling some apprehensions, too, IN
consequence.
Pretty soon the object moved, and-what
do you think 1t was? 1t was a big boy!
Now Madam Squirrel had never seen a
boy before. for her home, having been in
this grove since her birth, and this grove
havlns been so far away from human
habitatioH that. It had not been entered
very often by mankind, she had had no
opportunity of seeing human beings. Con-
sequently she was very much frightened
when she saw the object-so large and
menacing in her eyes-moving, And when
tho boy stood up to his full height she
was amazed to see how immense he was.
Now, Madam Squirrel. like all wild
creatures. knew enough about self-preser-
walton to run into her house and 10 whisper
the terrifying news to her children of the
monster that was at their very tree roots.
For the love Of life" whispered Madam