davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Wardo's Easter Eggs.

BY Mary Day, 3S43 Franklin Street,
Omaha, Neb., Age IL Years. Red.
"Oh! mamma, tonight is when the rab-
bit comes. and I'm so glad 1 just wonder
If she will bring me a great big green
and red egg like 1t did last year"
This speech came from a little boy about
8 years of age whose name was Wardo
Selwyn. Christmas and Easter were the
two best days Of the year to him. He had
flaxen curls and large blue eyes; in fact,
he was a picture of health. AS their
large grandfather clock on the stairs
struck S he toddled off to bed, but not
before his cap was securely placed in a
corner with a letter for the rabbit and a
good night kiss given to papa and mamma.
He was up at Z o'clock in the morning,
and, taking a jump from the last three
stair to the hall, fell headfirst. But pick
ing himself UP he hurried on to where
his cap had been put.
But what did he find but an empty cap
and no Easter eggs. W tears made
their course down his fat cheeks. His
fat little legs did not go so fast upstairs
as they had gone down.
Mamma" and he threw himself with
a sob on his mothers bed.
What, darling, were there not any
eggs?"
mo" came from Wardo, amidst a rain
of tears. II never fought he would forget
me, But, mamma" and his voice was
not so ~forlorn, perhaps she laid them in
our garden like she did for Edward Cars
ton. Use going wife out and see"
And with this he made a leap from the
bed to land again on the floor, but, not
paying any attention to this, he goes
down the stairs again and out into the
garden fun Of blooming flowers and trees.
He looked around, but no eggs could be
seen.
But what's that over there?" for he
had discerned a bunch Of straw. "Ohi oh!
oh! I've found them!"
And in another moment he stood before
his mother and proudly showed the eggs.
See, darling, you were patient and you
found them"
81 always will be patient" came from
the depths of a ~gladdened heart
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Boat Ride.

BY Rudy soldenstein, Aged II Years, Glen
VILE, Neb. Red.
One day my father asked me TO go with
him to the lake. l went along, and imagine
my surprise when we arrived there to see
a boat moored by the shore. l eagerly
asked whose it was, and he replied that
It was for me. 1 shouted for Joy and
thanked him heartily. The color Of the
boat was blue and 1t would hold three
persons comfortably. 1 named the boat
Daisy.
One day / asked some OF ny friends to
accompany us on a trip up the lake. They
accepted the invitation. When we were
ready to start the weather was fine and
the water calm. We rowed out 10 the
middle Of the lake, each one rowing at
different times.
Soon we completed our trip and were re-
turning home, when suddenly a wind came
up. Clouds had rolled over the sky with
out our knowledge. The sky looked dark
and threatening and We exerted ourselves
TO reach the shore. We were a short dis
lance from shore when the rain began TO
fall and the wind to whistle about the
boat. Unfortunately the wind was against
us. It looked as If in spite Of our efforts
we would not reach land. Soon the wind
abated and we were able to land. We
stepped out upon the shore, drenched to
the skin. but with thankful hearts.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19

ness fellow, all right"
Say, what's the chance of a fellow get
ting a ride on herr" asked Charlie eying the
pony with admiration.
IF you want to help me weed an onion
bed tomorrow morning before the sun Is
up, all right: the ride will be yours"
laughed John
"Ah, ha, ha, ha!" roared half a dozen
voices. Then Charlie said, good-naturedly:
He amt foolish John any longer. He's
wise John, he is, And sure as my names
Charles Butler Travers I mean to go into
the truck-gardening next spring myself.
I want a pony, l do. Gee, that's a fine
animal! kin smooth and sleek enough to
see you face IN"
And as John rode round the ball ground
to show the gait Of his pony many admir-
ing eyes were cast on him. He's made
OF great stuff" Paul Thompson admitted.
And to think We boys all made fun Of him
for turning gardener"
Yep, but he turned a pretty sum out OF
il, and now his time has amounted To
something. It's a good plan 10 make your
vacation count for something. I'm going
to begin earning money. II it's only by
catching and selling fish. tn keep me busy
and be putting a few dimes In my bank. &"
And all the boys agreed that foolish
John" as they had been calling him. had
proven the most sensible one Of the lot
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Making TaffY,

BY Evelyn Stratford, Fairmont, Neb.
Blue.
Helen, dear" called her mother from
the bedroom, I have had a telephone call
and Grandmother Berton is very sick. I
must go at once. 1 can catch the train
If l hurry, and you, Hubert and baby
Francis must stay at home with nurse
and work. Your papa will be here this
evening. You can play at anything you
wish, but do not get into mischief and
tell cook to make you some taffy this aft
ernoon If you like, Helen danced for joy,
for cook always let her help. She ran
outdoors 10 hunt Hubert and tell him.
Mamma went at II o'clock and the chill
dren would have TO eat alone. "Oh! isn't
It dreadful lonesome" sighed Helen. But
Baby Francis laughed and cooed and did
not feel one bit lonesome. Afternoon came
and cook promised to make candy. but
she must go TO Mrs. Jones first, then
she would make II. The children waited
in the kitchen, which seemed almost an
hour. At last Helen said, Il can make II
as good as cook, anyhow" So saying she
set to work 10 get the material. At last
everything was ready and Helen was get
ting down off the stool on which she was
standing when II tipped over and she
almost fell. She tipped the can OF mo-
lasses over. Baby Francis was directly
under the edge Of the table and his head
caught the contents. Cook was Just pass
ing the window when the accident oc-
CURED. When she came In she said:
What ara xR2 aaiRk RaRi Xo1 abau have
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Second Prize.)
The Kittens Story.

By Ruth Thompson, aged 9 years, 1924
North Sixteenth street, Omaha. Red.
My name is Tedy. 1 am a kitten. 1 live
in a barn. My little mistress dresses me
up in doll clothes and makes me drink
from a bottle. One day my mistress had
some girls come over and sew. They sat
on the front porch. O., what fun It was to
pull the thread and make them mad. I
pulled one of the dolls wigs off, and, O,
what a scolding l did get. One, day my
little mistress went down to a lady's
house and got a little kitten. the most
mischievous little thing I ever saw. We
drank from the same dish and that little
rascal Or I must say SOY pushed my head
right away from the dish.
We enjoy catching humming birds and
butterflies. We live in a very large yard.
One Sunday morning l heard my mistress
S say, Mama, may 1 join the Busy Bee
pager" Her mother said yes. You ought
to see my mistress jump up and down.
She wrote a story the very next day. Sun
day she said her story was printed and
she was very glad and wrote a story every
week afterward.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Our Flowers.

BY Ezra wichman. Aged - Years, Ithaca,
Neb. Red.
Our flowers were created by God even
before people were created. The world has
known them from that day to this. They
are highly appreciated by man, who loves
the sight Of them.
We find a large variety Of them, so large
that man has not thought Of counting the
different kinds. We American children have
not seen all of the varieties.
We find them most everywhere and are
very apt to pass some without noticing
them. In most every home the mother
tries to raise them, for in summer she
decorates lawns, and in winter our parlor.
The manufacturers of rugs usually use
flower designs, for they sell best. Also the
post cards will flowers are mostly sought
by the people. The flower is always a
beautiful sight in the sick room, for it
cheers the sick.
Most all flowers have a sweet odor which
is highly appreciated. 1t is the flower
which gives us our perfumes.
II it were not for the flower we would
get no honey and therefore would know
nothing of these busy little bees who make
IT. Every nation has a flower to its name;
our country has the goldenrod which we
American children have mostly all seen.
This flower, the goldenrod, grows wild in
Nebraska. California is considered the
largest flower state in the United states.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Be Careful.

By Martory Bodwel, Aged 10 Years, I'll
South Eleventh Street, Norfolk. Nah
Red.
Once there was a boy named Tommy
who thought he was big enough to smoke
He asked his mother II she would give
him some money, and she said yes, fittl(
thinking her boy would do such a thing
as that He took the money and ran downs
town to get a cigar. AS he went into thu
store another boy, named Dick. saw hin
and called out, Hello, there, what ara
you going TO buy?" Nothing but a cigars
was the answer. BE careful what you
say. You had better buy some candy ins
stead" said Dick "A cigar won't hurt
me" said Tommy.
He ran into the store and bought q
cigar and lit il. He smoked for a littla
while and then became very sick Dick saw
he was pale and helped him TO get homa.
As he took Tommy to his mother he
said, Always be careful never 20 try "a
smoke" Tommy answered, yes Dick.
you know best. l VIII always DO carefus
TO take good advice"
Don't you think this would be a bettsa
world II We all took good adyice2
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
they did more good and then peopl
wouldn't kill them.
The Bee Hive.

BY Letha Larkin. Aged IA Years. South
Sixth Street, Norfolk, Neb. Blue.
There are many hives in the state OF
Nebraska The Fremont hive, Norfolk
hive, Omaha hive, etc.
The greatest number Of bees live in the
Omaha hive. to which all the honey is
sent. There are certain rules or receipts
how to make honey.
The right flavorings should always be
used.
Some of the bees are careless and some
times forget to put the flavoring in the
honey. The honey from all the hives is
sent to the Omaha hive every week to be
examined. Each bee sends in a certain
amount.
The quality of honey is put on exhibition
every week.
l am a bee of the Norfolk hive.
In some Of the hives there are few bees,
but more hives are being added every
week. l have sent in honey a number OF
times, and twice my honey was the best.
Once l sent in some honey that I forgot
to flavor, and Of course 1t was not qualified
with the other honey. Some of the bees
are drones and take somebody elSe's honey,
but It is thrown away,
The busy bees nave two sides-the blue
side and the red side. They are trying
to see who will send in the most and best
honey.
Now 1 hope some of the readers who are
not Busy Bees, will join our large hive,
and send in some good, pure honey. This
is my honey, which l send this week.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
CHonorary Mention.)
The Bee and the Fly.

One day a honey bee flying buslly from
flower to flower. was attracted by a jar
of honey sitting on a bench. He flew
down to 1t, and, as the honey was very
sticky he caught his feet and was unable
so fly away.
A fly passing that way was also attracted
by the sweet and he also was unable to get
away Good afternoon, Mr.. Fly" said the
bee, TITS not a very good afternoon"
said the fly; TITS bad to be stuck here,
! wish I could spoil this honey to spite
those horrid people," why" said the bee,
Il don't wish that. they give US hives to
live in and they let us have the flowers"
Il just love to tease them and I crawl
over their faces and buzz in their ears;
I wouldn't let them take my honey, If l
were you" said the fly.
They are our masters" the bee an
swered, I'VE don't sting them unless they
hurt u.s.
Along the pathway came a servant girl
to get the honey. She saw the fly and the
bee. "Oh, you nasty little torment she
said to the fly. and she killed him. But
she took the bee out carefully. wiped his
wings and let him free.
'It's too bad" said the bee, as he flew
away, "flys are so disagreeable. 1 wish
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
A Camping Party,

By Ruth Ashby, Queen Bee, Aged 10
Years, Fairmont, Neb. Blue.
1t was a very pleasant morning whe
Gwendoline Langdon got out of bed. She
hurried into her clothes and met her
brother, Herbert, on the stairs. Hello,
Gwen; is Jenny up yet?" he called. Il
don't know, but hurry and get your chores
done so we can go. I'll get Jenny up"
Gwen hurried and soon Sleepy" Jenny
was downstairs helping Gwen.
These young people were going on a
camping expedition with many OF their
friends. Elm Grove, on the Blackwell
river, was the camping spot. At 8 o'clock
Mrs. Langdon and the rest of the chap
erones were ready to go. 1t was noon
when they came to Elm Grove, and Gwen
Langdon and her friend, Eleanor Watson,
got dinner. By evening everything was
In order and they sat around the camp
fire telling stories. Eleanor, Gwen and
Dorothy Hildreth got some fishing poles
and set out to fish. They had fine luck
and brought a a great many fish. The
people in camp were searching everywhere
for them and Bess was just starting out
to find them. The boys went to their
tents and the girls went to theirs. Early
in the morning Gwen pushed aside the
flap of her tent and just then Bess Wins
ton came out Of hers. ION, Bess! 1t
rained last night and the rain has come
into out tent. The girls are still sleep
ing, but their clothes are dripping" Then,
noticing Bess's white face, whats the
matter?" "a huge rattlesnake is coiled
up on Dorothy Hildreth's pillow and at
any moment it may bite her."
A crowd of boys came up and one Of
them killed IT before the sleeping Doro-
thy knew anything Of it. But in spite Of
these mishaps the camping party was a
right jolly one when it reached home tina
evening.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19

In your mornings and evenings at work In
a pesky garden. And what warrant have
you that a hallstorm won't come, just as
your garden gets to bearing, and tear 1t to
shreds? Nope; not for me-a patch Of dirt
and a hoe! l like the patch of dirt all
right when it's In the shape of a diamond
and a fine nine on it engaged in a good
game. But as for g~ardening-no, thanks.
You may have 1t to yourself" And the
boy walked off, whistling idly and saying
to himself that John was a fool.
The same day JOHNS best friend, Charlie
Travers, happened to see him as he carried
a basket OF early berries to a grocer. "Ah,
there you are, foolish John" he called out.
How much are onions per inch, and what
are you quoting potatoes at by the hill?
Gee, but you look warm! Guess you're
going to grow into the mar with the hoe,
eh?" And Charlie laughed at his own wit.
say he went on, addressing John, who
had not paused to catch his jlbes, "ars
you going to the ball game Saturday,"
No, my melon patch needs hoeing,"
said John. striding on down the street.
And as he turned the corner he heard
Charles voice singing out after him.
Foolish John!"
He'll sing another tune when he sees
me riding a new pony" said John to him
self. And what's more, he can't have a
pony unless he earns the money to buy
1t with. for his poor old dad is hard
pressed by debts, and Charlie can't look
to him for spending money. Under the
circumstances I'd think he'd be glad to
turn his hands and wits to doing some
profitable work during vacation instead Of
playing ball every afternoon when he isn't
at the river fishing or swimming. I'd be
ashamed to idle my time away like that
were my daddy so In debt as his father is.
Why, I'd work at most anything to help
dad along"
And so soliloquized John-"foolish John"
as his chum called him But. he sold his
basket of berries to the grocer for a neat
sum and got an order from him for all the
vegetables he could furnish, and at the
best prices, for the vegetables and berries
out of Johns garden We're OF the best; they
had been so thoroughly cultivated.
So the weeks had gone by and summer
had come In the month OF July. Johns
vegetable garden was flourishing, and one
night when he counted his pony fund"
as he called the proceeds from his garden,
he was happy to find that one more week
OF business would insure him the pony. Hs
had made the selection at a stock farm
near to the town where he lived, and the
dealer knowing what a reliable boy John
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Gertie' Experiment.

BY Leo Beckard, Aged IL Years. Waco,
Neb. Red.
Teddy" Gertie asked, do goats really
and truly eat tin cans?"
"Well, they might" Teddy answered
t~easingly. Il never tried one."
well, I am going to find out for sure
Gertie said to herself. II guess I'll get the
tin can and go now"
With a tin can she started down the lane.
She went until she came to a little opens
ing in the trees. Here was the first diff
ficulty, namely, a barbed wire fence. "Now,
how am 1 to get across7" she thought dis
p~airingly. Suddenly a bright thought came
to her, for she darted coward a long forked
stick, which had once been a sling shot.
lying on the ground.
Just the thing" she murmured setting
her tin can down. Planting the stick firmly
in the ground under the fence, she raised
the wire SO that It rested over the twing.
Crawling under, she walked toward a Htv
tie house which she saw under a tree Tha
goat, seeing her coming. eyed her sus.
piciously.
Steadily continuing her way, Gertie cam
to a little hollow, in which she stopped.
Dropping the can under the goats noAo
she watched breathlessly. The goat zeye1
the can a little doubtfully and then eau
tiously smelled it. Turning away In dis
gust, it came toward her. Gertie turned
and fled, and only until she had reaohed
the fence did she stop and turn timidly
around to see where the goat was. He was
standing where she had left him.
"Bahi bahl bahl" came across the field,
well. what's the luck? Teddy called as
she entered the yard.
II gave him the can and he did nothing
but say BAH" Gertie said, centemptu-
ously. And she wondered why her brother
laughed.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
(Ffrst Prize.)
True Friendship.

By Helen Goodrich, aged 10 years, 1910
Nicholas street, Omaha, Neb. Red.
Marie, here is an invitation to Lillian
Russell's party" said Mrs. Huntington to
her daughter, Marie, as she entered the
room where Marie, a bright girl Of 10 years,
was reading,
Marie took the invitation and read It.
Then she aid
What shall 1 wear, mother? don't
suppose you can afford to get me a new
dress, can your"
'T don't see how 1 can, dear" replied
Mrs. Huntington. "You know I nave had
to work hard since your father dice to
make both ends meet, but 1 will wash and
press your pink silk muslin and buy soma
new ribbons for It,"
A right. mother. You do manage so
we'll"
Mrs. Huntington was a widow who had
an only child. Marie. Mr.. Huntington had
died a year before my story begins and
had been very wealthy up to a few years
before he died, when he lost everything
but his beautiful home in some speculation.
Since his death some of the girls who had
been friendly TO her when she was wealthy
snubbed her and did not speak to her. But
her mother had always told her, and she
believed it, that she could not wish for a
better friend than Lillian Russell.
The evening Of the party arrived at las;
and Marie started for Lillian's home, which
was a few blocks away, arrayed in a neal
dress, although it was not expensive.
She arrived late, and after taking off her
wraps in the dressing room went down to
the drawing room, where the girls were.
AS she entered the drawing room the girls
began to litter and whisper, Soon Lillian
came in and greeted her warmly.
There were about thirty people present
at the party, all Of whom had been friends
of Marie, but Of these only ten recognize !
Marie as a friend.
When everyone was at sleep after the
party, TO the ten girls who had been kind
TO Marie a sweet little fairy, called True
Friendship appeared to them and blessed
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
Obedience.
BY Orman Kelley. Aged ~ Years
Puma. 8. d. Red.

BY Orman Kelley. Aged II Years.
Puma. s. d. Red.
Helen was 10 years old. She was very
dlsobedient. when her mother would can
her, she would say: In a minutas
one day her mother got very sick
maid came and said. Helen, your mother
is very sick and wants you. In a min
ute" said Helen, In another minute the
maid came and said: Helen, your mother
is dying Then Helen wept and wept
Nobody could stop her from weeping.
When she was alone she would weep
more. All at once she heard a voice CALI
ing Helen. She looked up and saw two
fairies side by side, standing in the middle
of the room. one was Obedience and thu
other was Dlsobedience. Obedience looked
happier than DIsObedlenco. Obedience
said; ! will give you three wishes"
Il Wish that mother was Wen again.
l wish that 1 will never be disobediant
any more. / wish that all nay frisndA win
never be disobedient." :
Granted" said the fairy. Thsn ths tua
fairies vanished. :
AtteE that Hs!eR BAS mz OouaaEs
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
The Busy Bee Page,
BY Alta Wilken. Aged 10 Years.
Waco Mob. Rod.

dNNa ANtbs htGs
In an old attic lived two little children.
Lille, a lame little girl Of IL years, and
Stanford, a cheerful little lad Of s. They
were orphans, Stanford sold papers for
their living. as Lille was lame and could
only get around with a crutch. She would
get lonesome at home alone. She often
complained about It to her brother, and so
when he had any papers left he would
cut out the pictures and paste them in
a book. one day as she was looking over
the papers she came across the Busy Beo
Page She read and re-read the stories
and rules and then she tried writing a
story. When she finished 1t she sent it to
the editor and to her surprise the next
Sunday she found her story had received
first prize. She sent her brother to the
editor with a letter thanking for the book
she had received. After this he always
brought her the Busy Bee Page" and she
never again complained about getting lone
some for now she was always busy read
ing or writing stories and Stanford often
said what a good thing they have the
Busy Bee Page" for it has made you a
different sister.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS

i. Write plainly on one side Of the
paper only and number h pages.
q. Use pen and ink, not pencil
Q. Short and pointed articles viii
be given preference. Do not use ver
n6o words.
4. Original stories or letters only
viii be used.
o. Write your name, age ana al
dress at the top OF the FIRST page.
First and seoond prizes of books
viii be given for the best two CON-
tributiona to this page each week.
Address all communications TO
CHELDREBT'S DEPARTMENT.,
Omaha Bee.