davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Two Girls

BY Mildred johnson, Aged 13 Years, Wa
hoo, Neb. Blue Side.
There were two little girls, whose namea
were Evelyn Thornton and Marian Rich
mond. Marian had everything she wanted.
but Evelyn had to earn money. So. one
day their teacher It school said: Tn a
month I am going to ave a prize given to
the girl who has earned and saved the
money"
So, as they were going home Marian
said to Evelyn: "It is no use for you to
try. because I can get my papa to give
me some money"
"oh," said Evelyn. would you do thati
l wouldn't. hat would be deceitful. She
said for us to earn some"
ooh, well, I don't care" said Marian
In a few days Evelyn was working very
hard and had So, while Marian didn't have
any.
At last the time came when the prizea
were to be given out.
Marian's papa had given her $500, whik
Marian only had So.
At last they said that Marian had thu
prize. and she got a pretty diamond ring
and after she got 1t she said she didn't
want IL. and she told the whole story.
Evelyn got the prize and she il nov
working in a millinery store and getting
$1OO a month. while Marian isn't doinl
anything.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
How I Spent My Vacation

By Blla Schulz, Aged 10 Years, 1909 Henri
etta Avenue. East st. Louis. Ill.
Red Side.
On day in tune 1 got a letter from the
country saying that I should pack my
valise as soon as school was out and
come and spend the summer. 1 was very
anxious to go and could hardly wait until
school was out. 1 had only one week to
wait, but 1t seemed like a month. But by
and by the school exercises were over and
the next morning 1 should start for the
country.
I woke at s o'clock. for the train left al
7:5o. I ate my breakfast at 6:15 and then
started for the station. The train was
late. Soon we heard the whistle and we
all got ON the train. which included my
two sisters and myself.
At last we reached the small town and
found my aunt and uncle and my little
cousin waiting for US.
nat evening We went to bed very early
for we were tired of riding on the train
all day. The next morning we got up very
early and went out with my little cousin
to see the horses. There were two little
ponies and we zach rode on one. ALI at
once mine turned O curve and tumbled
off. 1 happened to fan In the grass and
did not get hurt.
The next day we went on a squirrel hunt
and we got two squirrels and a rabbit
h other days were spent In happiness
also. We stayed for two weeks and
thought we had had the best time we ever
had. And thought the next summer we
would like to go again.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

Upon my word!-crawleo into a tree like
a rabbit" And the next instant Peter was
pulled by main force into daylight, and
there, laughing at him till the tears trick
led down his cheeks, stood his Uncle Tom,
and beside him, in open mouthed wonder,
was Fred Smith.
Where's Paul?" asked Uncle Tom, as
soon as he could find his voice, for Peters
aspect had been so comical.
I'm there, too" And Peter pointed into
the hollow of the tree. But, as he spoke,
Paul began to make his exit, coming out
feet foremost, and in a most ungraceful
manner, his coat turned up over his ears
and his face red from exertion and en-
barrassment. As soon as Uncle Tom
could get him right end up and could con-
troll his laughter he asked: Now, young
sters, why did you come here without first
asking you mothers consent7 And. COM
ing, why did you hide?"
Peter and Paul stammered their excuses
as best they could, ending by saying they
had hoped to find a bear to carry home.
But that they would be very glad to go
home with Uncle Tom and Mr.. Fred, even
though they hadn't shot anything.
We'll. my little your mother
is very much frightened about you, and
we've been sent to fetch you. But the
minute you get home you'll be put to bed
Without dinner or supper, for you'n have
to pay the penalty for your naughtiness.
Your mother was planning to take you to
the woods for a picnic today. but now
you'l have your picnic in bed-in a dark
ROOM, without a usual picnic spread. Come;
one, two. march, And Peter and Paul
declaring under their breath that they'd
never run away again. followed their Jolly
uncle. who led them out Of the wilder
mesa
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Returning Good for Evil

BY Marguerite Carpenter, 1925 Cunning
Street, Omaha. Blue Side.
please. sir, may I see my mother?"
sobbed a small boy OF 10 at the under
takers door. His mother was dead and
they had no money to bury her. So the
undertaken was going to bury her like a
pauper. His father-well, his father was
nothing to him, for it was all of eight
years since little Joe's father had crossed
the threshold OF his home.
And now that his mother was dead, what
had he in the world?
Go away, you rascal" gruffly answered
the undertaken.
please, sir, just once; you know she
is my mother and was everything to me"
he said. choking between the words.
what did 1 tell your Numbered the
undertaken and he sent a kick at poor
Joe. Joe bravely pulled himself up. He
shook his fist and said:
"Wait till I'm a man; youth pay for this
Oh, motherl mother! And he sank down
on the ground.
A gray-haired mar sat in the court
room. The Judge said: rs there no one
who will plead his cause?"
The man quailed under the words. OF
course everyone thought him guilty. But
up the aisle a well-dressed young man
came. Il suppose you know me?" he in
quired.
mo-" replied the old a
"I am the boy who eleven years ago
you would not let see his dead mother"
II suppose now you have come for your
revenge2" he questioned.
mo, I nave come to help you out OF
your trouble. You know what a wrong
you did me, but / feel sorry for you and
will help you. You know the Bible says,
Return good for evil"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

steamer telling his mother he had arrived
there all right and Mr.. Sanderson. the
sailor. was going to sail to Iceland In a
few days. Henry sent his mother half his
wages, enough to support her till he got
his next months.
Days. weeks, months and years circled
away tim the two years were gone ard
It was time for Henry to return home
Mrs. Clay and Mrs. Harmon were sittins
sewing when a young nan knocked at this
door, and she did not know him. He put
his arms around her and said: Don't
you know me. motherf'' MY little SON"
she whispered once. my little son and
now a man." Henry had laid up his
share of his wages and had the sum Of
five thousand dollars in the bank, and he
and his mother and Mrs, Harmon lived
in happiness ever after.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Peter and Paul Go A-Hunting
ny Maud walker.

the dusty road like the wind, kicking up
the dust into a cloud, their guns in place
over their shoulders, cleaning in the sun
light. Both horsemen carried themselves
with dignity and pride. No other twins in
the town could ride and shoot as they
could. CThere were no other boy twins
In the town. and the two pairs of girl twins
did not really countD.
did you ask mamma II we might go to
Old Witch this morning?" asked Paul as
they pranced across a little bridge which
spanned a creek half a mile from home.
Nope" replied Peter. Didn't you ask
herr"
Nope. l left that for you to do while
1 got my gum explained Paul.
But I was getting my gun at the same
time" replied Peter. Sure. you should
have asked mamma II we might come
~a-hunting on Old Witch"
ooh. she won't care" said Paul. We'll
get home before dinner. And when we re-
turn with a ~bear-maybe two of EN-
mamma will be so proud of us thai she'll
call to Mrs. Jones next door to come in and
see what her children nave caught while
hunting. And Mrs. Jones is such a gossip
mamma says she tells everything she
knows and more. too-that she'll soon
spread the news all over town. Then well
be sure enough heroes. Won't that be
great7"
Sure. It WILL" acquiesced Peter. But,
gee. I'm getting tired. or. 1 mean, that
Bounder Is getting tired! It's a long way
for a horse; to travel without a rest"
"oh, Wen soon be there said Paul.
"Plunger is a bit tired in his front legs,
but his hind legs are strong yet. Let's
trot up"
So Peter and PAUL 'trotted up" and soon
entered the woods that grew over the sides
OF Old Witch.
Then the hunt began. Owing to the noise
made by the horses hoofs the twins de-
cided to go afoot up the steep hillside.
leaving their horses tied to a tree at the
however, for they had already Travelled a
foot They made rather slow progress,
mile, and much of the way had been
uphill.
Neon found Peter and Paul wandering
about much frightened. hunting for their
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

behind a fallen tree. Then, discovering that
the huge tree trunk was hollow, they
crawled into it. 1t was close and smelly
in there. and several bugs-frightml, scarey
things!-crawled over them. But better
bugs than an Indian, or a real wizard, or
worse still, maybe a plrate!'
'Hello-o-o! Kids, where are you?
Hel-l-o-o-ol"
The voice was nearer and nearer, and re-
sounded in the hollow tree, whore lay
trembling Peter and Paul. ut sounds Just
like Uncle Toms voice" whispered Peter.
Eyes, it does replied Paul I'm a whisper.
but it's some old wizard or witch trying
to catch us by calling out In a voice that
sounds like some one we know, It's what
people call deception, you know"
Yes" whispered Peter. Then both lay
as quiet as they could, for they feared
their trembling would shake the log and
attract attention to their hiding place.
well, where do you suppose those ter
rible twins could have gone tor asked a
familiar voice, coming from some one
within a few feet Of the tree trunk. Mrs.
Jones said she saw them coming toward
Old Witch this morning. riding their stick
horses. And we've found their stick horses
tied to a tree half a mile down the hill
side. It's like the little seamps TO get lost
in this woods"
Eyes. they're already lost. I'll be bound"
said another voice, also familiar.
"The other one ak like Uncle Toms
Fred Smith" whispered Peter, Wonder
II it really could be-"
But he didn't finish his question. for at
the moment a hand caught hold OF mis-
foot and a voice cried out: why, here's
one Of the ~raseals, I've got his foot! Well.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Henry's Good Fortune

BY Bertha Buffum, Aged y Years. Tecum-
sch, Neb. Blue Side.
Henry Clay lived with his mother in the
little village of Lakeville. His father was
dead and he had to support his mother.
He was a ferry man. One day ne came to
his mother and said: Mother, 1 have a
good job as a sailor. I am goirg 20 cross
the Atlantic ocean. / will be gone two
years" The mother was sorry 70 he alone
all that time.
The next aly Mrs. Clay Ilcked up
Henry's clothes, for he was 20 start at
o'clock that afternoon. His mother babe
him goodbye and as the ship left the
harbor the mother went back 10 her little
cottage feeling very lonely without her
only son. The next day a lady IN black
knocked at her door. II wa her sister.
Mrs. Harmon. She had come to stay with
her while Henry was away. Henry arrived
In six days. he sent . letter by the first
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Lead, Kindly Light

By Reua N. Mead, Queen Bee, Aged 13
Years, Blair, Neb. Blue Side.
The girls had organized a Glee club. They
met once a week to practice their pieces.
All were assembled in Bvangeline's room
one Saturday evening. Little thought they
how much good they were doing as they
sang:
Lead kindly light, amid tn encircling
gloom,
Lead thou me on.
The night is dark and 1 am far from home,
Lead thou ne on!
This was the sweet refrain that floated
out Of the window as a man passed along
on his homeward way. He mad been to the
saloon and was Keeling about when the
sweet refrain fell on his ears. 1t made
him sober up and think of home, his wife.
and his little girl so dear to him just now.
He never before seemed to realize how poor
his HON really was and how different II
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

E17 HAT is spring to the little In
NM dian, the real child of Ma
- ture? 1t means, to those in
k{S4I school, a desire (often car
" ried QUIT to be a moment
late when the bells ring and in q
hurry to get out again and shout and
laugh and skip and run. They well
come the return OF the meadowiark,
whose song is in the Sioux language,
so the little Indians say. They see
the first crow and duck; they find the
very first grasshopper and butterfly
and bring them into the house to
show the mission ladies. They dis
cover the little prairie dogs, busy
again on their summer homes. Best
Of all, they find the wild onion, or
garlic (then their teachers know
spring has GOMEZ. and here and there
during play time are groups Of chill
dren digging, q stick for the tool.
working hard to get the onions from
the ground. Shortly following the
onion the tipsina is on the market,
the wild turnip, which the Indian
thinks worth any amount of searching
and digging for. Then. when we go
for a walk, there is little walking,
for the children supply themselves
with sticks and harvest the tipsina.
On windy spring days the big Rus
sian thistles, last falls crop. are ex-
tricated from the fences and used for
kites. The girls as well as boys tie
strings to these immense tumble
weeds and let them blow in the air.
The Indian child likes to chew the
pussy willow, making a gum of it.
The boy wants the long, timber
switches to throw mud with. He puts
a ball of the waxy gumbo mud on
the end Of the switch, bends it back
ward. suddenly jerks his hand away
and the mud sings afar into the air.
The little girls, more aesthetic, braid
the new blades of grass making
crosses, mats, etc. Boys and girls
alike are skillful in modelling with the
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

horses. Not that they cared particularly
for Bounder and Plunger. for any coed
straight sticks would prove as good horses
as they, but because they knew their steeds
were tethered right at the end of the road
leading from town. and they were anxious
to reach their home again. Somehow. they
had lost their bearings. and did not know
which way 20 go. They had travelled for a
long, long time, and seemed to be getting
into deeper woods all the while. and now
they were thirsty. hungry. tired and badly
frightened. Suppose a bear really should
come into sight, Paul declared that the
proper thing would be to climb a tree
smaller around than a bears body, for
then the bear could not climb after you.
Peter thought It would be a good thing to
build a circle Of small fires. and get into
the center Of the burning circle should a
bear or an elephant or a giraffe appear.
At any rate. the wins were lost and
frightened, and wondered what was to be-
come Of them
And just as Peter was on the point of
tears. and Paul's voice was quivering. they
heard a sound coming up the hillside. 1t
sounded susptoiously like a human voice,
and It said "Hellol Hello-o-ol'
TITS a mani whispered Paul. fear seiz-
ing him. What II it's a wild Indian?
Ugh! Let's hide"
1T may be a wtzardi" whispered Peter.
Eyes. let's hide" hen they locke about
for a hiding place. secure from the eyes
and nose or the being. who. judging from
sound. was approaching.
"Hello-o-o-ol Hello-o-o-ol' again came
the cry. Peter and Paul dropped their
guns. elasped hands, and together erouched
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
The Fairies May Party

BY jeanette Thornton. Aged 9 Years,
Gering, Neb. Blue Side.
The fairies were going TO have a May
party. 1t was a very grand occasion, for
they were to choose a queen. They had
a throne covered with flowers and ribbons
for the queen; also some chairs decorated
with flowers for the fairies. At a little
distance there stood a May pole twined
with bright ribbons. 1t was a very pretty
scene. The fairies came at 8 O'Clock.
First they danced around the May pole.
Then they chose the queen, which was a
fairy named Lily. Then they played
games and had a merry time. Next they
own the queen and this is the way
they did It: They chose two fairies and
the fairies took the crown and placed 1t
on the queens head. Then the fairies
Joined hands and danced around the queen,
singing. Then each fairy told a story
or sang a song. Just as they finished a
gold carriage drove up and they all got
In and started for Fairyland.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

s1TruwE4 lay in a pretty valley between
vSSfafA long range of hills. And over
ok6A&&A these hills grew an abundant
forest. And through the forest men and
boys loved to go hunting for wild animals,
though only a few of such now remained,
and they were OF the small and harmless
variety. Squirrels, a few deer. badgers.
coons and the like were the victims Of the
huntsmen. Larger game had been killed
off many. many years ago.
One fine May morning little Peter and
Paul were playing in the yard of their
home when Paul's eyes turned on the
deep blue, forest-covered hills a mile dis
tant, Say, Pete" he said. calling to his
brother. who was at the moment riding a
very fractions stickhorse, wouldn't It be
lots OF fun to go a-hunting in the woods
today? s'pose we ride over to Old Witch
and shoot a bear?"
'Old witch was the name of the high
est hill of one of the ranges that walled
In the town where Peter and Paul lived.
And hunters loved to delve into the woods
that grew over the head OF Old Witch.
just as sure-enough hair grows on the head
OF an old witch or wizard.
Sure let's CO. consented Peter, refining
In his Steed. Then for the moment for
getting his horse he threw him In the
corner OF the fence. not even taking time
to remove the nice Irvine bride. 'Tn get
my gun. You get yours. Then we'll ride
Bounder and Plunger over to the great
mountain, Old Witch. and shoot two
bears"
'Bounder'' and "Plunger' were the
names OF the fractions stiekhorses ridden
every day about the yard by Peter and
Paul. 1t was poor Bounder who now lay
In the corner OF the fence, as gentle as
any stickhorse can be. while Plunger stood
tied to a small tree near to the gate. await
ing his masters pleasure.
Peter and Paul ran into the house and
got their suns-pretty wooden weapons as
harmless as their horses. but very danger
Gus looking. Then they mounted Bounder
and Plunger and were off. going dow
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Ruth's Lesson
BY Mildred Whitehead, Aged 10 Yea
Mitchell. Neb. Blue Side.

BY Mildred Whitehead, Aged 10 Years,
Mitchell, Neb. Blue Side.
Ruth was 10. and a very large girl for
her size. She had been cutting out paper
dolls and when she was through her mother
told her to pick up the scraps,
"As soon as I I'm through with this
story" said Ruth. But when Ruth was
finished reading her book she took an
other, but as soon as she was about half
way through she heard a knock at the
door. She opened it and there was one
of her friends. She wanted Ruth to go
out riding. IT will ask my mamma" said
Ruth. But Ruth's mother woul not let
Ruth go until she had picked up the scraps.
so Ruth's friend got someone else. Ruth's
motto was always obey your parents
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Augustus Kind Deed
~ May BllEabeth HamIlton, Aged

By Mary Elizabeth Hamilton, Aged IL
Years, Omaha Blue Side.
Augusta was the only child Of a very
rich family. but she was not spoiled or sell
fish like some rich children are. Next door
to her lived a family of very poor chill
dren. The next day was going to be her
birthday and she would be 8 years old
She asked her mother II she might have
the children hat lived next door over to
supper, her mother said. Yes" The
mother Of the children said tina one of
them could wear her hat and best dress
but they all wanted too. so she made them
go just as they were.
They did not have very nice table man
ners, but nobody cared. They all had 4
very nice time.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Riddles

BY May Bertch, Aged - Years. 1877 South
twenty fourth St, Omaha. Red Side.
Round as an apple, black as a bear, II
you don't guess that / will pull your hair.
Answer. Stove lid.
Why do girls look at the moon. Answer.
Because there Is a man in II.
g.
seventeen years ago? Taft Is the answer.
T.
Spell little dog with three letters. An
sweT PUP.
What three letters would turn q gtr1 into
a lady? Answer. Age.
Why does a rabbit go over q I'm An
swer. He can't 80 through It -,
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
The Bee

BY Marguerite Riley, Aged . Years, Sea
Vinton Street, Omaha Red Side.
The bee has long been a type of the In
dustrious worker but there are few people
who know how much labor the sweet
hoard of the hive represents, Each head Of
clover contains a portion OF sugar not ex-
ceeding the 5OOth part OF a grain. The
proboscis Of the bee must therefore be
inserted into 800 clover tubes before one
grain of sugar can be obtained. There are
1000 grains in a pound, and. as honey
contains three-fourths OF Its weight Of
dry sugar each pound Of honey represents
100000 clover tubes sucked by bees.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Edith
BY Margaret Langdon. Aged 10, Gretna.
Neb. Red Side

BY Margaret ~Langdon. Aged 10, Gretna
Neb., Red Side
80, gee" said Edith. II can't wake
mamma up, so be content at home. girls
ard"
why can't you wake her up2" said Kata
Jenkins. Because she said not to-" re-
piled Edith.
80. we don't care. we're going on" said
May.
Very soon they were playing and having a
good time. Meantime Mrs. Barry woke up.
and Edith was going over. Soon she heard
screams and yelling. Playing in the barn
they set II on fire. Edith was glad 70 stay
home At school next day they said she
was wise.
Moral: It is best 10 obey.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

Emma Carruthers. S211 North Twenty-fifl
Leonora Denison. The Albion. Tenth and
Pacific streets, Omaha
Mae Hammond, o'Neil, Neb.
Ms6ge L. Daniels, Ord Neh,
lola Beddeo, Orleans, Neb.
Agnes Richmond, Orleans, Neb.
Marie Fleming, osceola, Net.
Lotta Woods, Pawnee City, Neb.
Earl Perkins, Reddington, Neb.
Emma Kostal. l5le U street, South Omaha.
Edna FMS. Stanton, Neb.
Ethel EMS. Stanton Neb.
Lena Petersen, z21i Locust street, East
Ina Carney, Sutton. Clay county. Neb.
Clara Miller, Utica, Neb.
Alta Wilken, Waco, Neb.
Mae Grunke. West Point, Neb.
Elsie Stastny, WILDER, Neb.
Frederick Ware. Winside, Neb.
Pauline Parks, York, Neb.
Edna Behling. York, Neb.
Mary Frederick, York. Neb.
Carrie d. Bartlett, Fontanelle, Ia
Fthei MuIholland, Box n. Malvern. Ia.
Eleanor Mellor. Malvern, Ia
Ksthryne Mellor. Malvern, Ia.
Ruth Robertson. Manila, Ia.
Mildred Robertson, Manila, 10
Margaret B. Witherow, Thurman, Ia
Fred Sorry, Monarch. Wyo.
John Barron, Monarch, Wye.
Edith Amend. Sheridan, wyo.
Pauline Squire, Grand. Okl.
Fred Shelley, go Troup street, Kansas
City. Kan.
Henry l. WorkinEer, care Sterling Remedy
company. Attica. Ind.
Mary Brown, 2322 Boulevard, Omaha
Eva Hendee, 400 Dodge street, Omaha
Juanita lines, 276s Fort street, Omaha.
Lillian Writ, 1853 Cass street, Omaha.
Emile Brown, 2222 Boulevard, Omaha
Meyer Cohn, $40 Georgia avenue, Omaha
Ada Morris, 3424 Franklin street, Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, 2o0e lizard street, Omaha
Gail Howard, f722 Capitol avenue, Omaha.
Helen Houck. 1875 Lothrop street. Omaha.
Emerson Goodrich. 1910 Nicholas, Omaha
Maurice johnson, l027 Locust St., Omaha.
Leon Carson, 1924 North Fortieth, Omaha.
Wilma Howard, 4723 Capitol Ave-, Omaha.
Hilah Fisher. 1910 South Eleventh, Omaha
Mildred Jonsen, 2707 Leavenworth, Omaha.
Edna Heden, 278e Chicago street, Omaha.
Mabel Sheifelt, 1914 North Twenty-fifth
Etreet, Omaha.
Walter Johnson. 246 North Twentieth
street. Omaha. 3.