davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
Honorable Mention.)
The Life of an Oak Tree

By Leo Beckord, Aged IL Years, Waco,
Neb. Red Side,
Once I hung on a large tree and fell
off the tree and. started to grow. One
day a little boy found me-. He planted
me In his yard and watered me every
morning. One day h sold me for a
quarter Of a dollar. The man planted me
In a park. I was the only oak tree in
the park so they took good care Of me.
When I was about 4 years old some SPUR
rels built a nest in my branches. In the
fall they gathered acorns. In a year or
two there were lots of squirrels around.
A river ran close by me. One day they
planted another oak tree close by me. Not
long after that a wind storm came, 1t
tore trees up by the roots and a large tree
fell on the little oak tree and broke It
off. The people planted other trees where
the ones were broken off. They planted
an ash tree where the oak tree was.
There were many picnics in the park.
The one I thought best was when some
school children and their teacher came to
the park. They stopped under me. The
boys put up swings in my branches and
the girls prepared the dinner They all
ate in the shade Of my branches. After
dinner they tried to catch the squirrels,
but they could not. They then tried fish
ing and boat riding. When they came
back they fried their fish and ate their
supper. When they had finished their
supper they went home very happy.
The ash is a larg tree now, It is nearly
as tall as ] am, but not as large around.
Our branches touch each other The SOUR
rels can run from one tree to another.
I hope the ash tree will live as long as I
have. I am 30 years old now and will tell
more some other time.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

Like a flash. a d~ark-haired. swarthy-faced
man in uncouth garb ran up to her, ex-
claiming. Your father has directed me to
summon you home at once, as your mother
is very, very sick" Ruth turned pale AS
death. remaining silent. for she was sus-
picious Of that mar as being connected with
the gypsy camp which her mother referred
to. Then, after a very long pause, she
suffered, Beg paron. but my-my father
is not-home just now" Il didn't say
father 1 said uncle" oh" was all
Ruth deigned reply.
Then he led her to his home, or hut ia
rather call 1t. saving soothingly, NJ wife
has made an appetlzing bark tea, which
will strengthen you" Luckily, Ruth re-
solved to be silent and obey his commands.
Presently they reached the hut. In the
low doorway stood his wife. and although
she pretended to be very genial, Ruth per-
ceived a mysterious and malicious look Of
evil. She was hideously homely, with only
two front teeth and an old grey shawl
thrown loosely over her, probably to con-
ceal her gaudy gypsy apparel beneath.
She gave Ruth a cup of tea, and II was
by no means appetlzing. Then, grinnins,
she said, why, dear, stand still, the whole
yoke of your dress Is unlocked" And
while hooking It she slyly slipped off the
gold necklace. They Mr.. GYPSY (as we
choose to call HIM said, stay here a few
moments while Mrs. Gypsy and l run over
to see your mother and tell her Of your
safety. Then when we get back I'll a X
you home" Ruth stayed When they were
out of sight she went about the room,
finding the details Of everything. She
looked in the cupboard and on the shelf
lay a sealed but unmailed letter. Just then
she felt for her necklace, but it was gone.
Words could not express her grief and
Indignation. Just to pay back something
seemed to tell her to take that letter and
rothing else. She tucked it in her blouse,
when just then she heard many footsteps,
and peeking through the door she beheld
to her greatest delight all the rest of the
girls. She told them what had happened
to her and what Mr.. Gypsy had told her.
Not stopping to open the letter, they all
decided to go home with Ruth at once.
They ran In through the door and found
Mrs. Warden well as ever and had a few
callers. When she was told about the neck
lace there was no time for ~vexation, for
then the letter was opened, and as what
it read you'd never guess. I must tell
briefly that the gypsies were holding for
5000 ransom the long lost Marjorie Bur.
banks. Now this very Marjorie proved to
be no one more or less than Ruth's kid
mapped cousin, who had caused such a SEN
sation. The grieved parents had given her
up for dead, but now their Joy was over
trimming, and as Ruth was a child Of very
limited means the 1000 reward Of course
seemed a princely sum. The kidnapers
were prosecuted, Marjorie being returned
safe and sound, And in reality was 1t not
really Uncle Jacks gift, the charming
necklace, which had led to the discovery
Of Ruth's dear cousin and DR.. Burbank's
beloved daughter.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
(Second Prize.)
How Ruth's Gold Necklace
Caused Her to Find Her
Cousin

BY Frances Johnson, Aged u Years, 933
North Twenty-fifth Avenue, Omaha
Blue Side.
"Oh, mother, It's Penelope's birthday to-
morrow, and she's invited ten other girls
and I to the woods for an all-day ramble.
Each is going to bring an old p~inafore and
a hemp sack, for we're to have a nut
hunting contest" This lengthy preamble
to the question, May 1 go?" was promptly
answered by Mrs. Warden's Yes, If you
don't wander too far in, for I've heard that
not longer ago than day before yesterday
q party Of gypsies were encamped there. &"
mo. I'll be careful, mother" was her
daughters anxious reply.
Tomorrow came. 1t was an ideal day In
October. The azure sky could not have
been a more perfect roof for the grand and
glorious forest trees, arrayed in exquisite
tints Of red, orange and brown, which
Nature had so graciously bestowed, with
Jack Frost's assistance.
Now, in the meantime, Ruth had. against
her mothers wish, worn a beautiful new
gold necklace which Uncle JACK had iust
sent her. and had 1t not been for this, this
story would never ave taken place. The
interesting anne they INDUCED in made
the pleasant day nearly vanish like a rain
bow. At last the eagerly awaited nut
hunting contest began. Whoever found the
most nuts in an hours time was the prize
winner, and, consequently, they all began
hunting with might and main. But Ruth,
besides nearly losing her hair ribbon and
tearing the lace or her sleeve, had also the
misfortune OF not finding so many nuts.
So she went, u-naeeompanied. 10 one Of the
l%oneltest spots in the woods. There, ah.
there we're nuts In plenty.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
(First Prize.)
Heed Your Elders
BY Ruth r. auyeE, Aged II Years. F

By Ruth r. Guyer, Aged II Years. Fort
Crook, Neb. Blue Side.
Uncle James had given TO his ~IS-year-old
niece, Gladys Morrison, a beautiful ener.
aid necklace and a green silk dress
to go with It, on his return from a trir
around the world.
Gladys almost jump for Joy and care
fully put the dress away to wait until
some great occasion came along, and went
out to play tennis.
Not long afterwards they had a tennis
tournament in which GLADYS wa to take
part.
The time she should have spent In prac-
ticing. she spent on worrying and ~frettins
about what dress she should wear.
At last she decided that her green silk
dress and necklace would be just the thing
70 wear.
Her mother quIstly advised her not to, as
the dress WAS much too long, having a
short train. and the clasp to her necklace
was loose, but like most foolish girls she
would not listen to her mother advice.
At last the day came and Gladys went
down to meet her partner Helen Merrill,
a very pretty, but modest and quiet girl
who had on a short whke skirt and white
waist, and who opened her eyes in sur
prise when she saw Gladys.
After the first sets were played. there
were four winners. Gladys. Harriet Sher-
man, Helen and Nellie Currens.
Gladys played Harriet and won as Har-
riet was not a very good player and
Gladys played her with one hand to her
throat to hold her necklace.
Helen beat Nellie and so It was left
for Gladys and Helen to play the finals.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

Skinny laughed and assented. He sent a
straight. swift ball, which the stranger
fouled, Dumpy, the catcher, ran under It
and easily caught 1t.
Two outs on u.s." muttered the stranger
and again faced the pitcher.
Skinny first sent In an inshoot, which
puzzled the batter, causing him to fan the
air. A slow drop was equally deceptive.
and an out-drop was the third strike and
the third out.
Now my team is In bats" yelled
Skinny, and the boys advanced to the plate.
"Oh, not yet. I've got another strike
coming" replied the lone batter.
But there were three strikes on you"
insisted Pete Clemmons.
II get nine-seven more strikes" declared
the stranger stoutly.
The boys laughed derlslvely. The batter
waved his stick and grew red in the face.
"Ah. / kn~ow-you-you are trying to
cheat me. I'll see about that
He grabbed Dumpy with one arm and
Skinny with the other. threw them to tho
ground, picked up the club and waved II
threatingly over them. Before he could
strike the other boys rushed to the as
sistance of their chums and a free-for-alI
llBht ensueu. Iney had no doubt now
that he was crazy. The lunatle possessed
unusual strength and soon he was sitting
on four OF the boys and striking at the
others with his bat.
Here comes an auto cried Clarence
Scholes. Maybe they will help us. Help!
HelpI' he screamed.
The stranger got hold of Dumps throat
and was choking him. Then a heavy hand
was laid on his shoulder and he turned
around to see a man in white uniform.
Here. Hans. what are you doing?' said
the newcomer.
'oh, it's you, is It? I nave been having
a game with these fellows and they tried
to cheat me-
Cheated you. did theyg'
Yes. They only let me have three
strikes to an out"
We'll, now, that's real mean. BY the
way, Hans, I've signed for a game for
you with the Chicago Cubs. VIII you go
and play them a gamer
Sure, Come on, let's hurry. VIII they
let US have a hundred strikes2"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

Juanlta lines. 2769 Fort street. Omaha.
Jack Coad. 8nS Farnam street, Omaha.
Lillian Writ, Ass Cass street, Omaha.
Meyer Cohn, SAG Georgia avenue, Omaha.
Ada Morris. 1924 Franklin street, Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, 2909 lizard street, Omaha.
Gall Howard, 1922 Capitol avenue. Omaha.
Helen Houck, 1925 Lothrop street, Omaha.
Emerson Goodrich. 1910 Nicholas, Omaha.
Maurice Johnson, 1927 Locust, st., Omaha.
Leon Carson. 1924 North Fortieth, Omaha.
Gretchen Eastman, 1876 South Thirty
eighth street, Omaha.
Pauline Coad, 371S Farnam street, Omaha.
Wilma Howard, 472S Capitol avenue, Omaha.
Hllah Fisher, 1910 South Eleventh, Omaha.
Mildred Jensen, 27N Le~avenworth, Omaha.
Edna Heden, 27s9 Chicago street, Omaha.
Mabel sheifelt, 4sl4 North Twenty-fitth
street, Omaha.
Walter Johnson, AO5 North Twentieth
Emma Carruthers, s21 North Twenty-fifth
street, Omaha.
Leonora Denison, The Albion, Tenth and
Pacific streets, Omaha.
Mae Hammond, O'Neill, Neb.
Madge l.. Daniels, Oid, Neb.
lola Beddeo, Orleans, Neb.
Agnes Richmond, Orleans, Neb.
Marie Fleming, Osceola, Neb.
Lolita Woods, Pawnee City, Neb.
Earl Perkins, Reddington, Neb.
edna Ennis, Stanton. Neb.
Ethel EMS, Stanton, Neb.
Lena Petersen, 2211 Locust ST., f. Omaha.
Ina Carney, sutton. Clay county, Nebraska.
Clara Miller, Utica, Neb.
NAsNAI SOAGSt ANoIll 1Oup, NSD.
Alta Wilken, Waco, Neb.
Leo Beckord, Waco, Neb.
Mae Grunke, West Point, Neb.
Elsie Stastny, WILDER, Neb.
Frederick Ware, Wlnside, Neb.
Pauline Parks, York, Neb.
Edna Behling, York, Neb.
Mary Frederick, York, Neb.
Carrie B. Bartlett, Fontanelie, Ia.
Irene Reynolds, Little Sioux, la.
Ethel Mulholland, Box II, Malvern, Ia.
Eleanor Mellor, Malvern. la.
Kathryne Mellor, Malvern, Ia.
Ruth Robertson, Manila, la.
Mildred Robertson, Manila, Ia,
Margaret b. Witherow, Thurman, Ia.
Bertha McEvoy, r. F. ID. 8, Box Is, Mis-
souri, Valley, la.
Adlena Sorry, Monarch, wyo. Box 81.
Fred Sorry, Monarch, Wyo.
John Barron, Monarch, Wyo.
Edith Amend, Sheridan, Wyo.
Pauline Squire, Grand, Okl.
Fred Shelley, 2o Troup street, Kansas
City, Kan. "
Henry L. Worklnger, care Sterling Remedy
company, Attica, Ind.
Aleda Bennett, Elgin, Neb.
William Davis, 21 West Third street
North Platte, Neb.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
Willie Boy and the Dream People
Nv Charlsr LINCOLN Phifer.

records I'have,' explained the Cow apollo
getlcally after she had talked them all
through.
Can you singe" asked Willie Boy.
mo. but I can cry" and she did below.
"Of course, 1 can't do II as we'll as you, -
explained the modest wire animal be
cause haven't had the experience"
Willie Boy didn't answer because when he
looked again the Wire Cow was gone, and
in her place there stood the Man Of tho
Lost Eyes. looking-for his eyes.
Have you seen any eyes lying around
here loose?" hp asked OF Willie Boy.
NO" replied Willie Boy. How did you
come to lose your eyes7'
II don't know. You see, when I was a
boy / didn't like 70 go TO school. and I got
so I couldn't see into anything. That was
the beginning OF It. 1 lost my eyes. but I
don't know where
Perhaps II was at school," ventured
Willie BOY.
Maybe II was. Come to think Of II, I
believe that is the very place TO look for
eyes"
And he was gone before Willie Boy could
understand how he went. Neither did
Willie Boy understand how the Book peo-
pie came. But he saw them, and what was
worse he felt their weight. There were
half a dozen OF them-Reader. speller,
Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography and
History-and every one OF them had features
marked on one side, and little thin arms
and legs. They danced on Willie Boys
stomach Just like they thought II a danc-
ing floor, ~grinning widely ali the time; and
how heavy they werel They seemed 4
weigh a ton. Willie Boy had heard 81
heavy studies. but never before did he
realize what the expression meant Now
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
An Indian Story
By Dorothy Dariow. ARed 9 Wears. at
South Thirty-sixth Street, Omaha
Red Side.

BY Dorothy barlow. Aeed 9 Years. 2e
South Thirty-sixth Street, Omaha
Red Side.
Long long ago there were three little
children in the plains with their father
and mother and some Of their friends.
The children's names were Gretchen,
who was 5 years old; May, who was 4
years old. and her little baby brother,
Charles, who was 1 year old.
One day all Of the people went for a walk
but the mother, who had to bake some
cakes, and the children who wanted to play
in the back yard. In a little while there
was a great noise and In another moment
two big Indians came rushing out OF the
bushes and ran toward the children while
they stood perfectly still. not knowing
what to do. Then one of the Indians
(named Pocahontas) caught hold OF Charles
and May while the other Indian caught
Gretchen snd ran out OF the yard as fast
as they could, while the children began to
scream and cry.
The mother evidently didn't hear the
screams and cries of her children, because
she was singing quite merrily. When sup
per wal ready she called May, Grethen
and Charles, but, Of course. they did not
answer. She grew quite frightened, but
thought that the Indians might have car
ried them off.
When the Indians returned home they
thought they would make Gretchen and
May work very hard at home, while they
took Charles with them when they went
out hunting and shooting.
The years passed by and the children
grew up as Indians. They begged so hard
TO let them go home TO their mother that
they said after ten years they would take
them home.
When the time came for them TO go
their mother was so happy hat she made
friends with the Indians and lived hap
PLY ever after.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
Water Melon Season

BY Alberta Clubhouse, Aged II Years, Loup
City, Neb. Blue Side.
One night In August ten boys planned 70
go 10 Mr.. Moore's water melon patch
They each got a melon and put 1t in the
bibs Of their overans. The melons were
not very large. so they went in easily.
Just as they started to leave the patch
they heard a shot and saw a mar coming
toward them. The boys jumped the fence
and ran down the lane. As they ran all
the melons bounced out When they had
gone a mile they stopped. There was one
melon left. They cut It, but IL was green.
They never tried TO steal melons again
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
The Robins Feast

BY Nellie Diedrick, Aged 8 Years sidney
Neb. Red Side.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robin were up early the
last Tuesday in August. They looked up
at the bright blue sky which shone above
them.
n sign OF rain today. Rsdbreast." said
Mr.. Robin.
Il guess not" said Mrs. Robin. We'll.
anyway, we mustn't be standing here look
ing wise" she said In her scolding way.
Then away they hurried across tho field
IN search Of food.
Their quiet little house was In an apple
tree which bore fruit every fall. The last
feast was 10 be given under the apple tree
where their home was
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

he knew, because ali those books dancin9
on his stomach hurt him. He uiad to
shake and brush them off, blu In vain.
Then he became alarmed and screamed
aloud, Mammal"
'~what is II darIinEY' asked his mother
from the next room
There are books dancing air Sv@ my.
stomach" nsplied Willie Boy.
Bless his dear little heArtlt~ exclaimed
his mamma Come here to mammals Q
Willie Boy got up and went to his
mamma, and as he snuBgiod up close to
her he noticed thai the Book People were
all gone. But as he thought over his
dream he was dad II was not really true.
It came to him that perhaps IT was well
for little boys to go to school after all.
and, raising his head n kissing his
mamma on the cheek, he whispered to hers
Mamma, I believe I do want to 60 To
school,"
Then she snuggied him close, and he
went to sleep again. but he did not dream.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

TN THE attic down to gran'pap's,
i Myi What funny things they is.
Cradles, sickles, trunks of luther,
Spinning wheels kin fairly whizzl
Cheers of hickory, splint-bottomed.
Wooden latches for the door,
Bunch of clapboards, yaller papers,
And, my land! a hull lot more!
Cur'yus place there, next the raifters
Like to set there when 1t rains,
BY the little four-light winder
With It's teeny, dusty panes.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

Gladys had to take her hand from her
throat then and consequently the necklace
fell off and was lost. Then she tripped,
tore her beautiful dress and at last when
cheers and cheers rang out and voices
cried, Helen has won, long live our
Helen" a very shame-faced, exhausted
and broken-hearted girl threw herself in
her mothers ARM and sobbed to her
hearts content. Her mother patted her
back and said softly, Heed your elders"
Now a ruby necklace and a red silk dress
and a better girl take the place OF the
other set.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

They gave It in honor Of that day. bsins
tho last day they would stay there. Then
after the feast they would fly south, all
in a bunch.
At last Mr.. and MIS-. Robin met at their
home. Mrs. Robin had a dozen worms Mr..
Robin had acorn cups for them to drink
water out OF. At last the hour came when
the guests were to arrive. There was
Jenny Wren, the Meadow Lark family. Mr..
and Mrs. Sparrow and man. others. Mrs
Robin proved to be a charming hostess.
The first thing was to be the red and
blue drill around the trunk Of the tree.
This drill contained red and bluebirds.
Then the next was the great spread. Then
an hour Of games and charades wers
played. Then they all gathered together
and flew south. all with happy hearts
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

what that means, Willie Boy. You haven't
a home anywhere in ell the world when
you are q foreigner. Even my parents
would not own me, and though I wept and
plead they didn't seem to care It's hard
for a boy to have no home and no par
ents."
Then the Purple Man disappeared and in
his place there came the Talking Cow.
The Talking Cow was made Of wire, Her
legs were coils ana her body was a net
ting through which her internal organs
showed. and they, toe, we're made OF wire.
When she wanted to talk she touched a
button on the side Of her face with her
wire tongue, and her speech sounded Just
like q photograph. There was no question
but what she could talk, but 1t was not
long before While Boy discovered that
she spoke from records the same things
over and over.
you see, I didn't get to go to school
when 1 was q calf. and these are all the
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

ready the girls started out, They were
only going about a half a mile away. AS
soon as the girls got there they opened
their baskets and started to eat. After
they were through eating they played tag
a While. When they got tired they went
down to the river to pick pretty stones.
They stayed quite long. and Helen's
mother was worried. They had a dog at
the house named shep. Helen's mother
sent their dog after her. The dog was gone
about half an hour: then the dog came
back with Helen and brought her home
safely.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12

minB mole. turing the summer
they went In swimming as regu-
- larry as they played base ball,
lNGT4YI Every town ought to have a
80 river or a creek adjacent so
the Kids" can go swimming" Take a
bath" is not to be compared to going
swimming The average boy will grow
wan and slssified with baths in summer.
but thrive on going in swimming even
in stagnant water, where mosquitoes nav
respects to their bare backs.
Skinny Cowles developed into an expert
diver; he could bring mud from the bot
tom ever time; while Dumpy Richardson
claimed he could tread water.
1t was while the kids were dIsporting
themselves In the old swimimnE-hole that
they had the adventure OF the base ball
game. Skinny and Clarence Scholes were
sousing water over each other In a contest
That was choking them both, when the
boys were astonished to hear a loud voice
from among the bushes on one side OF the
creek exclaim:
That's only the fifty-ninth strike! Throw
another
skinny and Clarence ceased their splash
Ing and the boys listened breathIessly. In
a moment there stepped from behind the
bushes a man dressed in a dirty white base
ball suit, with a bat over his shoulder. See
ing the boys, he called cheerfully:
HI, there! Quit that f~oolishness and
let's play ball"
Nobody answered. who is that guy ''
asked Clarence In an undertone.
Acts like the dippy Teller who broke
out OF the asylum yesterday" answered
Skinny.
Seems to be ~good-natured," Dummy
suggested.
The stranger on the bank regarded them
patiently while they talked, and now sung
out again: well. are you ready for the
gamer
Where's your tsamP" asked Clarence
Here"
II don't see anyone but yourself"
IN have my team when you get yours
together"
Come on. fellows. let's play him. urged
Dumpy, wading out and beginning TO
dress. Boys do not like to back OUT from
a challenge, and the crowd followed suit.
Their shirts dragged on their dripping
bodies, and In spite OF all they could DO
sand and mud chung to their feet. but they
did quicker work in donning their clothes
than they were wont TO do OF mornings
Then they crossed the footlog to the bank
on which the stranger stood He had a
bat and ball. but no team was visible.
Dumpy asked the man. cautiously:
Where's YOU teamT'
I'm play the whole bunch OF you myself;
but you must give me first at bat"
The boys laughed at this, and were
quite willing to take their first outs. {"
Finding some rocks, they quickly made
bases and formed a diamond, and skinny.
giving his men their positions, took his
place in the pitchers box. Al the home
plate the stranger waved his bat ludis-
rously, missing the first ball thrown by a
wide margin
The next ball he hit to right field and
started round the bases. Butch" Duncan
fielded the ball well and sent Il TO Clarence
Seholes, who played thiHd base. Clarence
caught II and waiting the furious rush OF
the stranger stepped aside and easily
tagged the runner out. Instead OF stop
ping the fellow increased hts pace TIL he
reached the home plate. sliding I'm until a
cloud OF dust was raised. Then. calmly
picking up the bat, he faced skinny.
Blu you are OUT demonstrated skinny.
our team y allowsd thrss outs, isn't
~
Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-12
In Just a Minute

BY Michael Carey, Aged 70 Years. Sz12
Sixth Avenue. ouncil Bluffs, Ia. Red.
Helen Green had a very bad habit OF
saying Tn just a minute" One day her
mother told her to go and get the baby
off the street. She said, "In just a
minute" Just then a team OF horses came
down the road and the driver did not see
the baby until it was too late, and It was
trampled and hurt by the horses. After
that. when her mother told her to do any-
thing she never said "In just a minute"