davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
Harry's Ourls
BY Aleda Bennett Aged IL Years, ElgI
Nah Pine Side.

BY Aleda Bennett Aged II Years, Elgin,
Neb. Blue Side.
Harry Willis's hair was curly and for
that reason everybody called him Babe. He
did not like this and one day when there
was nobody at home, but the nurse and
himself he went in his room, got his bank,
took all his money out and when the nurse
was not looking he went downtown.
There was NJ one in the store but an
old man, and Harry did not know this was
a barber. He walked up to the old man
and said, rs the barber here?- Yes,
am the barber answered the old man.
II want my curls cut off," said Harry.
"All right" he said, and he lifted Harry
on the chair. His uncle went by and.
seeing him. he went home and told Mr..
and Mrs. Willis. They all decided to act
as II they did not know him when he came
home. When Harry got his hair cut he
started for home. After he got there he
went in Just like he always did. Mrs.
Willis was in the room and she said: Did
you see Harry" I'm Harry, mamma"
he answered. mo, our little Harry has
ourls," said Mrs. Willis. IT took my money
and had my hair cut said Harry. mo,
our Harry is saving his money" Mrs. Will
lis said. At the supper table everybody
called him Babe and he wished he had not
spent his money. as It did no good.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
Honorable Mention.)
An Unwelcome Guest

BY Frances Johnson, Aged 10 Years, $50
North T~wenty-fifth Avenue, Omaha. Blue
Side.
The 10th Of June dawned bright and
beautiful. Everything in nature was as
lovely as a dream. The butterflies were
fitting gaily by the latticed windows,
while the dew was kissing the flowers.
1t was certainly a gala day in the big
stone mansion on State street, where DR..
Bartletts lived. Fanny was the only child
in his fortunate family. She was to be
hostess at an elaborate birthday party that
very Saturday afternoon.
AS soon as Fanny arose. the door bell
rang. There stood the florist with an enor-
nous box of cut flowers, which were to be
artistically arranged in the spacious din
ing room. In the meantime Aunt Sally was
busy in the kitchen making an enormous
birthday cake.
The clock having struck 70 the dining
table was arranged.
Now the huge cake had been placed in
the pantry by the open window to cool,
but a naughty, mischievous parrot from
the ~nelghboring house had made himself
an unexpected guest. by stealing In through
the window and vigorously devourins the
cake What q sight for Aunt Sally to be-
hold! The guests had now arrived n
what was she to do?
Just then in stepped Grandma Dare.
Grandma had brought a tempting looking
cake.
Refreshments having been served, every
child was to tell of some kind deed which
he or she had done. One tiny tot piped out
II pulled a turtle out of the water so that
1t wouldn't get drownded."
Presently one child suggested, Lets go
over to poor, lame Anne's and give her a
flower shower"
Agreed was the chorus.
So they Immediately gathered all the
flowers from the vases and went gafy over
to the little cripples unpretentious home.
They opened the door and showered the
flowers on her, leaving Anne sitting in
dumb surprise, while, as for the children,
they were gone in less time than it takes
me to tell about II.
The children returned to Fanny's house,
where the rest of the afternoon was spent
in guessing contests and merrymaking.
That night when nurse tucked Fanny
into bed, Fanny said: This has been the
happiest day of my lifel' and I'm sure
Anne said the same.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

Quickly the crowd dispersed. knowing
that all danger was past and that Grand
mamma and Pat wanted To be alone, for
the entire emotion of each was battling
for expression.
Pat soothed old Custer. who now seemed
to be very peaceable again. and gathering
up the dusty lines, he climbed into the
buggy and told Gutter to get up." And
as he and Grandmamma rode homeward,
going first to the florists for green ferns
and leaves, and TO a shop for green rib
bon. Pat said: "Grandmamma, you are
very calm to have passed through so dan
gerous an experience. Most any other cid
lady would be hysterical."
II have forgotten the danger Of the in
eident, sonny, in remembering your brave
deed. You risked your life for old Granny
II was a noble thing 10 DO. and you shall
be called from henceforth by your full
name. for you deserve It. You are not a
saint, child. but no saint is greater than
a great hero, and you are Hero Patrick.
named for the great Saint Patrick, And
no one shall call you plain Pat any more"
A flush OF pride crossed Pats face, and
his heart beat high. Then. pressing one Of
the dear. wrinkled old hands Of Grand
mamma, he said: Granny, I had no
thought OF becoming a hereof being
brsve-when l ran out through that crowd
TO get hold of Clusters bride. I only saw
that you were in danger. and I said to
myself, I must save Granny at all costs
Then nothing was said for several min
utes, but Granny's lips twitched and her
eyes molstened. And. after a little. she
said: Your party shall be the srandest
mat any boy ever had in this town. for
you are the dearest and bravest boy. and
deserve that II should be 30. Tonight we
oslsbrate the birthday OF two Patrieks-
ain Patrick Of old. and Hero Patrick OF
todAv-thsA@ttsr my own dear little onny-
boy"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

wind. Jenny's first colt was as handsome
as his mother, but. instead OF a white coat,
he had a suit OF bright chestnut color. so
soft and smooth you would have said It
looked like velvet. Such a lively little fell
low was this baby colt that the children
called him F~riskabout. Jenny was as
proud Of her colt as any young mother
could be and took on such airs that 1t was
amusing to watch her. In the summer the
two were allowed to Craze in a fine field
near the bank Of a river, and such frolics
as they had therel such races from one
end OF the field to the otheri Such rolls
on the sweet, velvety grassl 1t would have
delighted you to see. But one day some
thing happened that came near putting an
end to all Of their good times. 1t was a
pleasant morning, and papa, seated on the
piazza, was reading the newspaper, when
suddenly Jenny came galloping up to the
house, looking 50 frightened that he threw
down his paper, and, calling the workman,
followed. AS soon as she saw that help
was near she turned and galloped off fast
as she had come. Straight to the river she
went, and there found Friskabout strug-
Cling for his life. 1t was hard work to
get him out, but he was at length rescued,
and Jenny was almost wild with delight
Friskabout became more sedate after that
and in his gayest moments took good care
TO avoid the bank Of the river.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

pursuing people expected to see the buggy
thrown over against a lamp post or a tele-
phone post at any moment.
Just ss the danger was growing, Tor old
Custer had headed toward a railroad track
on which were passing Ar engine and sew
eral freight cars, there dashed from the
pursuing crowd of men and boys one little
figure. a figure slight and swift. With
almost s-uperhuman effort one slim arm
was swung out. the little figure leaped into
the air and Clusters head was Jerk,.d
quickly to one side, the old horse dropping
to his launches, while the buggy. rolling
upon him. came to a sudden standstfll.
The crowd gathered about. cheering the
brave boy who had come just in time to
prevent a most terrible accIdent-maybe a
most terrible death. for both woman and
horse. for the railroad tracks we're only
about 100 yards distant when old Custer
was brought to such a sudden stop.
Then the brave boy who had saved the
life of dear old Grandmamma Brown came
from the horses head, and going to the
buggy looked into the face Of the dear old
lady, who was smiling as quietly as though
nothing had happened. We'll, Granny
dear, you had a close call" II was Pats
voice that spoke. and dear little Pats
eyes that looked so lovingly at the old lady
And then IL was that Grandmamma broke
down and wept. wept from very happiness
and pride, for she understood that It was
her own dear little Pat who had saved
her from fatal accident. Holding out her
hand to him she whispered through her
tears: you are a hero, dear sonny. a
real hero. and you deserve your birthday
to fall on the glorious seventeenth OF
March. Come. fix the lines. and let US
be going home together. Your father and
mother viii be proud OF this day. Il old
Custer oaim and reassursd. poor old horse3
He must have wondered why some hand
did not guide him safely"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
A Theft and How the Thief Was
Caupht
BY Dora Ohlsen, Aged 8 Years, Loup City,
Neb. Red Side.

BY Dora Ohlsen, Aged 8 Years. Loup City,
Neb. Red Side.
A young man, his name being unknown
by the people of the vicinity, came into
the City hotel and lodged there a few
days, but, being short of money, he could
not pay for his board and room, so he de-
cided to steal ZONE money from a rich mer-
chant named Mr.. Black.
The next evening, everything being silent,
he crept slowly down the street and, think
ing the best way to make an entrance
without disturbing the adjoining places
was to go through the cellar. which led into
the main part Of the store. and doing this
without being caught, he succeeded In
reaching the vault, which contained many
valuable papers, and, finding the vault
open, which the proprietor had forgot to
close, he took many OF the valuable papers.
He again slowly and noiselessly crept
through the cellar and out of the outer
door, where he was confronted by two
the thief to the police station and searched
him. finding two revolvers and the papers,
which were returned to Mr., Black.
This man had been wanted at several
places for similar robberies and was never
before detected. A week after he was
brought to trial and pleaded guilty and
was sent to the penltentiary for a term Of
five years. After having served this term.
he became a brilliant. upright man and
never afterward in all his life stole a
silver dollar,
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

when grandmother, in cape and bonnet.
climbed into the little black-covered buggy
to which was hitched old Custer, a fine,
spirited horse. but one as gentle as a
dog.
Grandmother was used to driving Custer,
and took up the lines and called out to
him to trot along. Custer, feeling %sprightly
and in need OF exercise, for the weather
was cold for March. and Custer had been
standing In the warm barn for days to-
gether without once feeling the bit between
his teeth, pricked up his ears and trotted
off down the street at a lively gait. At
the corner old Custer took the turn so sud-
denly that poor old g-r7ndmamma, in try
ing to keep her balance on the seat, let
fall the lines. They were Jerked over the
dashboard by the quick swaying of the
buggy, and when grandmamma again be-
came settled comfortably In her seat she
found the guiding lines gone.
In vain she called out to Custer to stop.
On and on he went, his speed auickening,
for he was in the spirit TO travel and felt
no restraining hand Down the almost de-
serted street he went. now turning his gait
into a swinging gallop. Poor old grand
mamma sat white and silent. realizing her
great hanger. As she was traversing the
residence streets there were few persons
about, and those few hardly grasped grand
mammals dilemma before the buggy was
out OF sight around a corner.
After a few minutes old Custer turned
into one OF the busiest streets OF the town
and there his excitement grew. Vehicles
were passing him every which way and he
became nervous and frightened and must
have wondered why the driver had ceased
to guide him. He probably did not under
stand that III Tapping strings about his
hind feet were not guiding lines and that
the dear old lady IN the buggy could not
turn him this way or that. according 10
their path OF safety. So no went at q run.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS

i. write plainly IN one side OF the
paper only and number h pages.
q. Use pen and ink, mot pencil
q, short ana pointed articles VIII
be given p~referenoa. DO not use ever
200 words
4. Original STORIES or letters only
will BIO used
Q. write your name, G and ad-
dress az the top OF b nrst page.
First ana second prizes Of books
VIII be given for b best two con-
trtbutiors to this page each week.
Address ali communications 20
OKuD4EN's DEPAHT1xENT,
Omaha Zee.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
Lottie's Dream

BY Ella Voss, Aged 10 Years, 47 West
Charles Street, Grand Island, Neb. Blue
Side.
Lottie's mamma had a party one even
ing, but Lottie was put to bed before the
company arrived. Lottie was about 8 years
of age. So she went to sleep and dreamt
that she had a party and all her little
friends were there.
She dreamt that they were all playing
games and her little friend Ruth won first
prize and Dorcas second. and Lottie won
the BOBBY prize.
After the game was over they had a
lovely lunch and Lottie was having the
best time when she awoke and found her
mother standing by her little bed and call
ing her.
Lottie told her mother all about her
party. So Lottie had a party after all,
even IL she was put to bed.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
Worthiness of Little Patrick
~ Maud walker.

"Um, Granny, that ounds goodl" And
Pat smacked his lips and ran off to the
kitchen ahead OF grandmother. And for
the time his eagerness to do something
worthy of the name of Patrick was for
gotten in his enjoyment of the spicy smell
hat came from the big cooking oven.
Its turnover all right, all right" he
cried, laughing with happy anticipation as
-grandmamma entered the kitchen.
The days passed and preparations were
made for the nth. st. Patrick's day, and
little Pats birthday. About twenty young
guests had been invited, and a fine time
was expected by Pat. Indeed, ne knew
everything would go off splendidly, for dear
old grandmother had superintended every
thing pertaining to the party. And secretly
she had baked a l~ittle-yery little-"turn-
over" apple pie for each invited boy and
girl. II know what they will enjoy she
had said to herself. And she was right;
for though apple pie as a rule is very in
digestible when eaten at night (and Pats
party was to take place at o'clock in the
evening", dear old grandmother's pie was
not the heavy kind. She knew how to bake
"child's pie" a secret few people of today
understand.
When the morning of he 18th arrived
everything was hustle and hurry In the
home of young Patrick. OF course, Pat had
to attend school as usual. but the prepare
tions for the evening event went on durina
his absence. for there were grandmother
mother, Aunt Kate and Bridget, the house
servant. to get things In readiness for the
great even. "Tn have John hitch up the
horse to the buggy, and III go 10 the
florist for green ferns and leaves, ana to
the store for green ribbon, for the decora.
lions must be in keeping with the day.
said grandmother, as full Of enthusiasm a.
though she were a child again. But wal
not 1t her dear little Pat-who was already
In her eyes-whose birthday was TO be cele,
brated that evening? N was 1t not IN,
greatest Joy for her to help with the ar
rangements and to make the party a giori.
Gus and happy SUGGEST
1t was a few minutes before 4 O'Clock
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
Second Prize.)
The Patriot

By Maurice johnson, King Bee of the Red
Side, 67 Locust Street, Omaha
Andrew Todd was a soldier Of the revolu-
ton, and like many of the soldiers Of that
war, was but a mere boy. He had been
left an orphan just before the war broke
out and when the call to arms was given
he was one of the first men to enlist on
the side of the cause He was not a
bright boy, far from It; but very meek and
good natured. He never could learn how
to port arms, present arms, right or left
shoulder arms, even when he had been en-
listed for three years. Some Of his COM
rades jeered at him because Of his stupid
ity, but he bore It all in meek patience.
The story opens just before the Battle OF
Brandywine, in which Washington was de-
feated. The company in which Andrew
was enlisted was sent to the front at tho
start The firing was becoming hot on
both sides and the Americans were being
hard pressed on their front and left flanks.
A daring and dashing young British officer
who was not seen by the Americans on
account of the powder smoke in which they
were enveloped had been stealthily APP
preaching the American entertainments and
Just as he reached 1t the flag-bearer, stand
ing only ten feet from him, was shot, APP
parently as II 1t had been planned before
hand. In leaped the red coat and grabbed
the flag and away again without anybody
seeing him but Andrew. A sudden passion
to do some brave thing now seized upon
him. Quick as a flash he leaped after the
Britisher. AS he cleared the space where
the smoke was he saw the British officer
not more than fifty feet ahead of him. An
eighth of a mile further were the British
works. Andrew saw that he would have
to do some ''talI' running to catch the man
before he reached his own side. He exerted
all his strength in this run, not only for
his life but for "Old Glory Try as he
might, he could not gain on the swift
footed Englishman. They were now not
more than 100 yards from the British line.
Suddenly the Englishman stumble and
fell and before he could rise Andrew was
upon him and had jerked Old Glory from
his hands. The British now saw what was
going on between these two men and a
party had been sent out to help their COM
rade. AS Andrew turned and started to go
back he saw some fresh pursuers coming
not more than twenty yards behind him.
Now was the supreme moment and he
exerted every ounce Of muscle in this final
contest. On and on they ran and as the
red coats saw that they were gaining no
advantage they proceeded to fire at him
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
Helen's Valentine

By Marian Hamilton, Aged 10 Years, 102e
L Street, Lincoln. Blue Side.
1t was near st. Valentines day and the
storekeepers were busy with their new
lines of valentines. Pretty soon two small
children came into a store to buy some
valentines. So they looked and looked un-
til at last they found one that seemed to
suit their fancy. They then bought 1t
and took it home to address 1t to Helen,
their friend. who lived in a far-off city.
Then they gave 1t to the postman.
One bright, sunshiny day-St. Valentines
day-as Helen was sitting on the porch
the postman came and handed her a large
box and she hurriedly opened 1t, when. to
her great delight, she found the valentine
that the two children sent her. She hurried
In to show her mamma. Her face was all
smiles.
Helen Is now a grown lady, but she has
the valentine still on the shelf.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

Mary Brown, 1922 Boulevard, Omaha.
Eva Hendee, 1902 Dodge street, Omaha.
Juunita lines, 2769 Fort street, Omaha.
Lillian Writ, Ass Cass street, Omaha.
Emile Brown, 2822 Boulevard. Omaha.
Meyer Cohn, SAG Georgia avenue, Omaha
Ada Morris, 34A Franklin street, Omaha
Gail Howard, 4722 Capitol avenue, Omaha.
Helen Houck, 1875 Lothrop street Omaha
BI1erson Goodrich, 4mO Nicholas, Omaha
Maurice Johnson, 1927 Locust ST., Omaha.
Leon Carson. 1924 North Fortieth, Omaha.
Wilma Howard. 4T23 Capitol Ave, Omaha.
Hilah Fisher, 1910 South Eleventh, Omaha.
Mabel Sheifelt, 4914 North Twenty-fifth
walter Johnson, 2iO5 North Twentieth
Edna Heden, 1910 North T%wenty-ninth
Emma Carruthers, s2l1 North T%wenty-fifti
street, Omaha.
Lecnora Denison, The Albion, Tenth ana
Pacific streets, Omaha.
Mae Hammond, O'Neill, Neb.
Macge L. Daniels, Ord. Neb.
lola Beddeo, Orleans, Neb.
Agnes Richmond, Orleans, Neb.
Marie Fleming, Osceola, Neb,
Lolita Woods, Pawnee City, Neb.
Earl Perkins. R~eddington, Neb.
Emma Kostal. 1915 . street, South Omaha
Edna EMS. Stanton, Neb.
Ethel EMS. Stanton, Neb.
Ina Carney, Sutton, Clay county, Neb.
Clara Miller, Utica, Neb.
Mae Grunke West Point, Neb.
Elsie Stastny, WILDER, Neb.
Alta Wilken, Waco, Neb.
Pauline Parks, York, Heb.
Edna Behling, York, Neb.
Mary Frederick, York, Neb.
Carrie B. Bartlett, Fontanelle, Ia.
Irene Reynolds, Little Sioux, Ia.
Ethel Mulholland, Box II, Malvern, la.
Eleanor Mellor, Malvern, Ia.
K9thryne Mellor, Malvern, Ia.
Ruth Robertson, Manila, Ia.
Mildred Robertson, Manila, Ia.
Margaret b. Witherow, Thurman, Ia
Fred Sorry, Monarch. Wyo.
John Barron, Monarch, Wyo.
Edith Amend, Sheridan, Wyo.
Fred Shelley, 2O Troup street, Kansas
City, Kan.
Henry L. Workinger, care Sterling Remedy
company, Attica, Ind.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

Irene Mccoy. Barnston, Neb.
Lillian Merwin, Beaver city, Neb.
Mabel witt, Bennington. Neb.
Anna Gottsch, Bennington, Neb.
Minnie Gottsch, Bennington, Neb.
Agnes Dahmke. Benson, Neb.
Marie Gallagher, Benkelman, Neb. (box ~.
Ida May, Central City, Neb.
Vera Cheney, Creighton, Neb.
Louis Hahn, David City, Neb.
Rhea Freldell, Dorchester, Neb.
Eunice Bode, Falls City, Neb.
Ethel Reed, Fremont, Neb.
Hulds Lundburg, Fremont, Neb.
Marion Caps, Gibson, Neb.
Marguerite Bartholomew, ~Gothenburg, Neb.
Lydia Roth, COS West Koenig street, Grand
Ella Voss. 47 West Charles street, Grand
Irene Costello, Is West Eighth street.
Grand Island. Neb.
Jessie Crawford, 45 west Charles street,
Pauline Schultz, 412 West Fourth street.
Grand Island, Neb.
Martha Murphy, s2S East Ninth street,
Grand Stand, Neb.
Hugh Rutt, Leshara, Neb.
Hester +. Rutt, Leshara, Neb.
Alice Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Ruth Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Anna Nelson. Lexington, Neb..
Edythe Kreitz, Lexington, Neb.
Alice Grassmeyer, 1545 G St, Lincoln, Neb.
Marian Hamilton, 2o2s l. St., Lincoln, Neb.
Elsie Hamilton, 229 l. St, Lincoln, Neb.
Irene Disher, 1850 L street, Lincoln, Neb.
HuEhie Disher, 202O L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Louise stiles, Lyons, Neb.
Estelle Mcdonald, Lyons, Neb.
Milton Seller, Nebraska City, Neb.
Harry Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb.
Lucille Hazen, Norfolk, Neb.
Letha Larkin, So. Sixth st., Norfolk. Neb
Emma M%arquardt, Fifth street and Madi-
son avenue, Norfolk, Neb.
Mildred F.. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Genevieve NJ. Jones, North Loup. Neb.
Helen Goodrich. 4r10 Nicholas street. Omahs
Mildred Erickson, 200 Howard street
Omaha.
Oscar Erickson, 200 Howard street
Omaha. a
Louis Raabe, 2eOs North Nineteenth ave.
nue., Omaha.
Esther Newman. 2s14 North rwenty-fiftt
street, Omaha.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14
A Rabbit Chase at Midnight
BY Sigrid ~Sandwall, Aged IL Years, z
North Eighteenth Street, South
Omaha Red Side.

Q- ISL ~NoSe ~ SoAS &
North Eighteenth Street, South
Omaha Red Side.
AS you all know, almost all children have
some kind of a pet, Some have dogs, some
cats and some nave rabbits, and / am now
going to tell one Of the experiences / had
with my pets, because I have two Of them,
and they are the sweetest rabbits you ever
saw. Their names are Jimmy and Molly.
Molly is a pretty brown rabbit and Jimmy
is just as pretty with specks of white on
his head, and very spry.
One night last week, after we all had
retired. we were suddenly aroused by the
phone ringing. My cousin w and
was very much surprised when one of the
GLIB informed him that my rabbits
had gotten out Of their pen and were now
enjoying a freedom they are never allowed
otherwise. We dressed as fast as we could
and started out for the most exciting chase
OF our lives. After about five minutes we
caught one, but still had the hardest Job
left on our hands, because the other one
was 80 much harder TO catch. But after
we had taken a few tumbles, because It
was pretty dark, we finally caught the
other one, and with that ended our rabbit
chase, which. l hope. will be the first and
the last one at midnight.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

Tim and Fred had had a scrap"
About some trivial thing,
And sticks and stones and ugly names
Did at each other fling.
And for a solid week these boys,
When out of school, did fuss;
They kept their parents in a stew,
Their own tempers in muss.
But on st. Patrick's morning, bright
Tim to his mother said;
I'm sorry that I've acted up
Toward my school pal, Fred"
And on that very self-same morn
Fred to his mother went,
And said: IT'S true that Tim and
An ugly week have spent.
1--WE used TO be the best of chums,
Like a brother toward a brother,