davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
DorothY's Candy
By Francis Waterman, Aged 70 Years,
646 South Twenty-fourth Avenue,
Omaha Red.

By Francis Waterman. Aged IL Years,
646 South T~wenty-fourth Avenue,
Omaha Red.
Little Miss Dorothy Houke and May Carol
were taking a walk one bright June day.
Presently Dorothy found some candy.
"Oh. don't eat that" cried May, you
can't tell who has had It, maybe some
dirty person"
81 WILL" cried saucy Miss Dorothy, Its
clean and It's Just as good as any other"
I'm sorry," said May, II didn't meal to
be mean. Please excuse me-"
well maybe, this time" said Dorothy.
eating the candy. This is good. too"
In about an hour they went home
II don't believe 1 want any supper to-
night, mamma" said Dorothy. She went
to bed early, for she didn't feel very good.
The next morning she called her mother
and told her she felt so sick to the
stomach. Her mothe called the doctor.
why, What have you been eating?' he
asked Dorothy.
She was too sick TO answer.
After several weeks she got well and
she told her mother all about It.
One day she and May were taking a
found the candy. She noticed a little girl
pick up a piece OF candy and she told the
little girl Of her experience and the little
girl threw It away.
I'm glad" she said to May. that / told
that little girl about 1t, 50 she wouldn't
eat It. and I must apologize for all the
rudeness and cross words l gave you when
/ ate the candy"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
A DaY in the Woods

By Ruth Robinson, Little Sioux, la. Red.
1t was a beautiful day in April. My
friend, Irene, and 1 took our dinner and
went to the woods. We rode our bicycles,
for it was quite a ways there. We got
there about II o'clock, but we were not
hungry, so we put our dinner down and
wandered quite a distance from the place.
1t had begun to grow cloudy and It was
not so beautiful after all. Irene wanted to
go home because II looked so much like
rain. but I did not want to, so we went
back to where we had put our dinner.
When We got there "Fritz' and Bob
our dogs, had got into Irene's dinner
basket, so we ate together. Before we got
through eating 1t had begun to rain pretty
fast.
We picked up our things as fast as we
could and took our bicycles and started
for home I'm the hardest of the rain. We
had nothing to put around us except our
spring coats and 1t was very chilly. Our
bicycles were SO muddy that we could
hardly wheel them along and we had no
place to leave them, but we kept going
TIL we came TO a big hill. Just around
the hill there were some cattle and they
started after us, so we put our bicycles by
the fence and got upon the hill.
After a while one OF the neighbors from
town came past and he chased the cows
away and put our bicycles in his wagon
and let us ride We did not mind the rain
very much. but were a little bit frightened
at the COWS.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
Joe's Christmas

By Mildred NJ. Jones, Aged IA Years, North
Loup, Neb.
Joe was an orphan boy of twelve,
Out in the rain and snow.
People were hurrying past him,
But he had no place to go.
Twas Christmas day,
And everyone light and gay;
Joe could not sell his papers,
AS the people hurried away.
One little boy, about Joe's age,
Had stopped near where Joe Stood
Joe thought he had never seen a boy
That looked quite 80 good.
With smiling face and golden curls,
what did you get for Christmas" he said
II thought I'd like to know"
For II you didn't get a thing,
Just please come home with me,
For we have got a lot of things
On a great big Christmas tree"
And they both went TO his home.
on a beautiful, fashionable street,
And he took Joe up to his own little room
That Joe thought was just too sweet.
And the little boys mother
Greeted Joe with a happy smile,
And told him he had not come
To stay just a little while.
But was going to stay and live there
And be her little boy,
And that evening, off from the Christmai
He received many and many a toy.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
A Double Surprise

By Letha Larkin, Aged IA Years, South
Sixth street, Norfolk, Neb. Blue.
Only one more week till the time for the
musical, and Gladys Eastman had only
got her piece two weeks before, because
she had been sick. and today she was
practicing on her piece, and she was SO
nervous over It.
Soon she went and laid down, but got
no rest, for the plano keys jumped at her,
and the notes flew at her, while 1t seemed
to her that her tears were even notes.
She was so worried about her piece. She
woke up with a high fever and found her
she soon would be better. That evening,
Gladys was overjoyed to hear her mother
read from the daily paper, that the musical
would be delayed three weeks. Gladys was
rapidly getting we'll. One day when she
was almost we'll, her mother said, GO
in and try your piece" IAN right" said
gladys cheerfully. but when she got there
was her little p~laymates, calling out Sur
PRISE and it was such a pleasant sur
prise, too, and she declared when they
went home that she never had a better
time.
Monday was the musical and Monday
evening, when Gladys music teacher came
up to her and said she had won first prize
for being the best player. What a surprise
it was to her, and said. Mamma, It was
a double surprise, to have a surprise party
and to get first prize, too.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
The Life of Some Rabbits

Alice Temple, Lexington, Neb., Aged 0
Years. Blue.
Once in a far off country. along a creek,
was a little hole where Mr.. and Mrs. Rab-
bit lived.
One day Mrs. Rabbit fell Ill and Mr.. Rab-
bit started off for a doctor Rabbit. But
the doctor was out and he started home
discouraged.
When he got home, guess what he saw:
Mrs. Rabbit was lying in the bed with
three little baby rabbits.
They had a grand christening. Their
names were Bunny Che was brown, Snow
ball Che was a white as snow, and little
Bulge, who was the sweetest of them all.
One day snow fell and fell and fell till
nearly everything was covered so that they
could not find anything to eat. The snow
was not hard enough to stand on and IL
they tried to they would fall in a great
drift of snow.
Soon all their stores were gone and papa
Rabbit started out to find some food, A
women had dropped several fine pieces
Of lettuce so he picked them up and started
home well pleased. He was about homo
when something went bang, bang. Mr..
Rabbit fell down in a snow drift with a
hole in his side, where he soon died. Then
someone picked him up and carried him
away.
Mrs. Rabbit, seeing that Mr.. Rabbit didn't
come home started to find him, when the
same thing happened TO her, by the same
boy, who took them home and skinned them.
The little rabbits, not being able to find
anything to eat, soon starved to death. I
wish the boy that reads this story will not
kill any more rabbits unless you know they
have no mates or children.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
Sunflower Billy

BY Helen A. Sunggart, Aged IL Years,
Lena, Neb.
When I was about S years of age. my
father and Mr.. George Manning bought
a beautiful little pony. but It would never
get gentle for me.
When l had had my pony a year, my
father and Mr.. George Manning bought
near Denver, a bunch of wild horses. which
were ranging in the mountains. and they
hired a negro to help catch them, and this
negro had a little bay horse, that was
small and very gentle. SO they bought
him of the negro and shipped him with
the other horses 10 Whitman, Neb.
They arrived at home on Christmas day.
with the horses. I liked the little bay pony
so we'll that l traded my father my little
black pony for him. He had a Sunflower
brand in his left hip, so l named him
Sunflower Billy. 1 ride him every day.
One evening when / was coming home from
school, the saddle turned with me. and
Billy stopped and waited for me to get the
saddle on his back and get on him. He
is fat and in good shape. and 1 am never
afraid TO trust him. he is so gentle.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
Honorable Mention.)
The Acorn

By Bunice Bode, Aged II Years, Falls City,
Neh Blue.
on the ground in a grove Of oaks lay an
acorn, nearly buried in moss. How he
wished to be an oak tree, not that the
acorn was not happy, for he was, but he
wished to do some good In the world. IF
l were only an oak" acorn thought, Il
could give a place for birds to nest in,
people could sit beneath me and l could
help to make the world beautiful.
When II rained, the water washed acorn
deeper into the soil, and finally he was
completely covered.
One day as acorn lay in his warm bed;
a glow-worm passed that way, and as 1t
looked wise, acorn asked it If he had any
chance of being an oak.
Yes answered the glow-worm, 'if you
grow properly" and 1t passed on. Gould
it be so2" Acorn thought, and he waited.
And sure enough next spring acorn found
himself growing; burst his tight skin and
little roots spread out, then tiny leaves
was no longer an acorn, but a tiny oak
but he did not stay tiny; he grew larger
and his roots went deeper into the soil and
his branches grew larger and stronger.
How happy the young oak was, what
glossy caves he had. What fine. strong
roots.
He grew quickly, and, in time was as
large as any oak in the grove, and SO
acorn's wish was fulfilled.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
How Two Sisters Found Each
Other

BY Ella Voss, Aged IL Years, 4O7 West
Charles Street, Grand Island, Neb.
Blue.
There was once a girl whose mother was
very poor. Her name was Mary White,
and she was 10 years old. Her father died
when she was 2 years old, and her mother
took in washing.
Mary had a friend, Ruth, who lived next
door. Her parents were wealthy. Mary
had an aunt living somewhere, but her
mother did not know where.
Mary and Ruth read the Busy Bee page
every Sunday and one day Ruth said, let
us try to write a story. So they did and
Ruth gave Mary the materials for Mary
did not have them.
The next Sunday, when they read the
paper. Mary had won a prize. She was de-
lighted.
A few days later Mrs. White received a
message asking If she did not have a sis
ter living somewhere and If she did she
should pack her trunk and come to her
for she had a large house and was
wealthy. So Mrs. White packed her trunks
and left the next day. When she got there
they were so glad to meet each other and
Mrs. Davis cher sister, told her how her
daughter had told her that Mary White
won a prize, and then 1 knew it was my
niece" said Mrs. Davis. Mary and her
cousin had many happy times, but she
did not forget her friend, Ruth. who
helped her out with the materials with
which she had found a better home.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
Helen's Dolls
BY Eleanor Mellor, Aged ~ Years, NAL
yern, Ia. Blue.

By Eleanor Mellor, Aged ~ Years, NAL
vern, Ia, Blue.
Helen was the only child OF a POOR father.
She did not have any one 10 play with
but a few ola dolls. One doll was right
pretty, but the others were very untidv.
One day Helen's father came 10 her ana
said: Helen, we haven't a penny left to
get us our food or fuel"
Helen felt very sorry about It, so she
said: Papa. II ] can make this doll some
nice clothes. maybe / could sell her TO
some little girl
Although Helen did not want to part with
It, she felt as though her poor father should
have something to eat and keep him warm.
SO she made some pretty dresses out Of her
aprons and took the doll uptown 10 sell.
She did not like to go In the crowd with
her dirty dress, but she stu thought OF
her poor father In the old house,
A little girl came up TO her and said:
How much Is your DOM"
Anything, ma'am."
The little girl handel Helen 81 ana
walked off.
Thank you" said Helen, gladly.
Helen took II home. Her father was
sitting in a chair waiting for her to return.
Helen told him she had sold her doll, so
her papa told her to get the supper up az
the bakery. She ala 50. and they had .
good supper and a warm dwelling place.
Her father always looked forward for his
SUPPORT to h. little girl Helen
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28


July picnic in the woods. No
- adults, save Mrs. Graham, was
F@fN OF the party, for, as she had
GAB said, It was to be young Amcri-
ea's party, and all the speeches. the songs
and recitations were TO be Of the youth,
by the youth and for the youth.
The place chosen for the picnic was in
a lovely dell some two or three miles
from town, and the party chaperoned by
Mrs. Graham, made an early start so as
to reach the place of destination before
the heat OF the day should become so
intense. In the woods the air was cool
and refreshing. A great shaded spring af-
forded water to the picnickers, and a fine
board platform and benches had been ar
ranged for the mornings patriotic exer-
cises. Also. an organ had been taken to
the picnic grounds that morning very early,
and was on the platform when the picnic
crowd arrived. An old serving man, be-
longing to Mrs. Graham's household, had
prepared the grounds for the occasion, and
was in attendance on the young folks,
putting up swings, hanging hammocks and
making himself generally useful.
The morning exercises opened with the
Lords prayer. Mrs. Graham leading and
the boys and girls following. Then a
patriotic song was sung with spirit, each
boy and girl seeming to vie with the
other in rendering the words of the song
with true American feeling. Following
this, extracts from the Declaration of
Independence were read by the orator OF
the day, Charley Stephens. And a tine,
Intelligent reading he gave, too, being
cheered heartily by his young listeners.
Then other songs were sung, some In
chorus and others in quartets, duets and
solos, these being interpreted with reel.
tations and declarations.
And such an enjoyable time was had
during the patriotic exercises that young
America forgot for a time that there were
great baskets fun of luncheon, great Jugs
of fruit lemonade Ctucked into bags Of ice)
and swings and hammocks, and-yes, above
all elsa huge box of fireworks to be used
in the final windup of the days celebra-
ton.
But as soon as the last song was sung
all tAese other pleasant things came to
mind. and the staid and proper company
broke up into a gay, laughing excited
crowd. Baskets were opened; cloths were
spread on the grass beneath the trees,
water was brought from the spring, and
pieces OF ice Clipped into the pals and
pitchers to add GOODNESS to the sparkling
Adams ale" 30 fresh from the interior
OF the earth.
well, l call this the most enjoyable
event OF my life, SO far" spoke W Tor
Peterson. his mouth crammed too full OF
fried chicken to permit OF good articula.
ton. At the moment Tom was assistins
Oracle and May Stearns in placing some
OF the sppetizing contents of a basket OF
the picnic cloth.
"Therel Caught, sir!' cried May. turn.
ing ON Tom with a threatening shake OF
the finger, How dare you 10 sneak int
that bowl OF fried chicken? III have e
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
(Second Prize.)
Stolen Honey

BY Ruth Hobsons, Aged 10 Years. Burwell,
Neb, Blue.
There was once a swarm of bees. Their
ruler or queen lived in Omaha. Now
most Of the bees were honest, but a few
Of them would steal honey to bring to the
queen bee. There was one bee q do not
think 1t best to mention its Nance who
nearly always stole his honey from a very
busy one named Frisk. So Frisk went
to the queen bee and told her about 1t.
do you know who steals it?" asked the
queen.
mo-" answered Frisk, that is what I
wan TO know"
well, you make your honey pink" said
the queen, land make 1t round. and then
If any one comes with that kind OF honey
III know It's the thief"
SO Frisk made some pink honey and
set 1t IN his window. That night the
little bee came as usual and took the
honey. When he brought the honey the
queen told him to take IT back and give
it to Frisk. The thief was found After
that the queen would not take his honey.
Now this is only n story but what I'm
going to say now is true. If we take our
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
Bennie's Kindness

BY Alice Grassneyer, Aged 10 Years,
Riverdale, Neb. Red.
1t was Bennie's eighth birthday and he re-
ceived many presents. among them a So
gold piece. Bennie's mamma told him TO
go to the store, and get what he wanted
with It; so he started off, but had not
gone very far when he saw a little girl of
about 10 years of age crying bitterly. Ben
MES heart was touched for she was
dressed very ragged. He was a very kind
and loving little boy, and liked to help
others, so he ran up TO the little girl,
and putting the gold piece into the little
girls hand he ran back home to tell his
mother all about 1t, She was pleased at
what Bonnie had done for she had taught
him to be kind to everyone. She gave him
some more money to spend. Bonnie grew
up to be one Of the greatest helpers of the
poor ever known. And he said 1t was be-
cause he had made the little girl happy
with his gold piece.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
The Children's Exciting Fourth of July
ny Maud walker.

May. You wouldn't refuse a hungry man
a bite to eat-and on this the great and
glorious FOURTH
well, you must first do a little wood
%chopping," smiled May. ITS the custom,
1 believe, for tramps to offer to work for
what they eat. Am l not right, girls?"
And May turned an appealing look on
the girls grouped about the picnic cloth,
some assisting at the opening OF the bas-
kets, while others cut bread and cake.
ITO be sure" declared several girls
voices in unison. TT that tramp wants
dinner at this tavern he must do some
thing worth while to pay for It,"
Say, I'll tell you, girls, what to do"
said Bert Graham, host of the party. Tn
sist upon Tom performing some heroic
act-not wood-chopping, mind you, but a
heroic act before he is allowed to par
take OF that chicken"
Agreed! Agreed" acquiesced several Of
the girls. Then. Lily Graham said teas
ingly: Poor old Tom. won't he get a bite
of chicken till he performs some genuinely
heroic act? All, then l fear he is doomed
to eliminate chicken from his dietary from
this day"
Say, Lily Graham, just because this is
a grand occasion there is no call for such
jawbreakers as you just now perpetratCd
on u.s." declared Tom. Speak under
stardable American, please"
Everybody laughed at Lily's expense;
but that young miss was not in the least
disconnected. Looking defiance at Tom,
she smiled.
DC you understand the meaning of the
word c-h-i-c-k-e-n-?' And she spelled the
word with emphasis on each letter. "Well,
If you do, that fowl, especially when fried
and served at a plcnic dinner on the
Fourth, is to be found missing on your
plate. Do you understand that. Sir
Tramp
But just at this instant a boy Of tho
party who had gone to the spring for more
water came rushing madly up the hill,
calling out at the top Of his lungs: "A
mad bull is coming through the meadow!
Get into wagons and up trees, for the good
Lords sake, or he'll gore some of US to
death! Hurry-he's close behind mel"
lmmediatel all was confusion. Mrs. Ora
ham tried giving orders, but few Of the
frightened children heard her. Some scram-
bled for the picnic wagons. but knew at
the same time that they would not be safe
In them. Most of the boys started for
trees, climbing out Of the bulls reach
But of course, they did not look after
their own safety till they saw tina the
girls were inside the wagons.
IT'S no good getting in a wagonl" crlec
Tom, endeavoring to persuade the girls t
try climbing the trees. But no time wa:
left for change of position. Up the steer
bank came a powerful bull. snorting anC
believing fur1ously. On gaining the Tor
he stopped short for q minute. staring witt
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
Good Deeds Always Rewarded

By Mollie Corby, Aged l3 Years, 1S44
North Sixteenth Street, Omaha. Red.
Flowers! Flowers! Ten cents a bunch!
Buy some, please do" sobbed a little girl.
No one seemed to notice her.
All day long Marie had wandered up
and down the busy streets Of the city.
She was walking toward her home when
a young man stepped aside from his gay
company and said to her: How much are
your flowers?' Ten cents a buch.' Marie
replied. Il will buy them ALL" ne said and
gave her the money. Marie looked at the
man for a moment, and then said: Il will
pray to God. He should reward you for
your kindness"
Many years passed. One day as a great
actress was about to step in her carriage
an old man crouched at her feet and
begged for aims. Just as l was once,
she said. Marie babe her servants to pick
him up. AS soon as he recognized Marie
he said: May God reward you in your old
age as He has me-
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28

the water Of the creek and through the
brush and briars on the opposite bank.
never stopping an instant to look behind
him.
Just as the picnic crowd was wonder
ing whether or not they would better re-
main there for luncheon or pack up hur-
riedly and betake themselves off, in an
~ticipation OF the bulls return. two horse
men came dashing through the meadow
which bordered the grove. One of them
seeing the picnic crowd drew rein and
asked II they had seen an ill-natured bull
Whereabouts. Eyes, he has been celebrat-
ing" replied Tom. laughingiy. HE a
the honor of having two punches OF giant
firecrackers and one huge skyrocket. Now
he's running Just as far away-across the
creek, yonder-as he can get. 7 guess he
doesn't relish Fourth Of July fireworks"
The horseman laughed, and told Tom
that he and his companion were off in
search OF the PULL. "Bu go on with
your celebration" he added, for Wen
drive the old fellow into his pen shortly.
He'll not modest you again"
And you may have all the fried chick
en- you can eat, Sir Hero" cried May,
coming down out OF the wagon and giving
Tom her hand. "Yes, you surely deserve
the best the board affords" cried Lily
Graham you nave performed the heroic
act which entities you to-"
"sh-sh-sh!" And Tom put up a warning
finger. IF you say too much I'll get the
big head. Truth is, I never once thought
of the fried chicken when I was playing
with the firecrackers and-the bull"
You're a brick. old chap" And Bert
Graham, coming down from his perch in
a tree, seized Tom by the hand. "The
others OF us boys"
"~Sh-sh-sh!" cried Tom, putting up a
warning finger. Not another word about
the little bull episode. Let II be forgot
in the merry-making. Say. Mrs. Graham.
isn't II luncheon timer"
you dear, brave boy" began Mrs.
Graham. tears in her eyes and emotion in
her voice, But seeing a determined look
In Toms eyes she paused; then added:
"Yes, girls. let's spread the table and dc
honor TO our hero. Tom Peterson. Come,
bring out that fried chicken"
And then the merriest luncheon was en-
joyed, and the afternoon OF that Fourth
Of July will always live IN the memories
Of those present. And when the night
came down Chinese lanterns we're lighted
and swung from the trees. and several Of
the boys took charge OF the fireworks
And II Is quite sure that the old bull. II
his pen on an adjoining farm. could SCI
the skyrockets and hear the swapping and
cracking and roaring of the fireworks, and
n he did he must nave been glad TO hav'
been overtsken by his owner and driver
home int safety.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28

the bull put his head to the earth. paved
a few times in rage. snorted again and
made a charge right towaT the wagos
containing Mrs. Graham and the group Of
smaller girls. Each little miss screamed
in fright and hid her face in her hands
Even Mrs. Graham's breath stopped and
her face became deathly white. The
wagon was a frail affair and the bed of
It was so close to the ground that should
the charging bull care TO try his horns on
its occupants there was nothing to prevent
his doing so.
But hardly had the mad bull started
charging toward the picnic wagon filled
with frightened humanity when Tom Peter
Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28

about she went to Mrs. Smith and asked
her and when the store was empty she
kept Mrs. Smith company. One lady
wanted some ginghams and Marie took
down from a high shelf all Mrs. Smith
had. She glanced at them hurriedly and
went off with an angry look and not buy
ing a thing. More than once did the Gus
toners treat her this way, but she kept
up her courage and was doing a indness
to a sick one.
After this, when Marie went to a store,
she tried to make as little trouble as pos
sible for the clerk.