davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27

these unaccustomed little travellers and
a skilled mind TO make the seemingly
difficult way appear bright and allur-
ing Knowing this. and appreciating
the influence of first Impressions. the
school authorities place none but
trained and experienced teachers in
charge Of all first grades.
As the aim and object of all educa-
tfon is 10 ht the child not only 10
help himself. bur to think for him.
self, and TO act for himself. when he
is finally promoted into that great
classroom called the world. he begins
at the earliest possible moment TO
work for himself IA the classroom.
His first liking for study. his desire
so much TO know things. and 10 be
he realizes that he is an important
factor In class life. He takes pride
IN his knowledge. however siighT. and
pleasure In being helper in the busy
world around him.
So he goes from grade TO grade.
every step carefully considered for
hirfis ali work so well prepared and
so cleverly arranged that he does not
realize the length OF the strides he
Is taking daily. 1t is simply going
'on and on" as the wonderful fairy
tales say. until some bright morning
the end of the primary highway Is
reached. The signpost at the beginning
of the new roads reads fifth grade"
and the small traveller realizes that he
is about TO enter the land of big boys
and tries at once to assume grown
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
By Mrs. T. F. Spencer
Principal Emerson Primary school

HE work of primary school diff
fers as essentially from that of
grammar school as does that OF a
grammar school from the high, or the
high school from the university.
Each is important. and each depends
upon the other absolutely. but Il should
be borne IN mind that the foundation
for the university attainments are laid
IN the primary school.
II IS TO be feared that. a times. the
educational value OF the work done In
the primary is underestimate that the
great. the all Important right begin
ming" is overlooked by those who see
In our grades only little children. and
who. therefore look to the more ad
vanced schools for real" education. IL
should be remembered that the univers-
fly graduate. who so undauntedly faces
the great receiving class" OF the world.
degree. Is but following the steps OF
the eager boy who years before armed
with his primer walked bravely into
the new world OF school life through
the doors of the receiving class. Here
were the first impressions received: the
first knowledge given the child that he
must be self dependent, that he must
respect the rights of others. that he
must employ every moment OF his time.
and. last and most difficult lesson Of all.
that he must obey promptly and With
out question.
1t requires skilled hand TO guide
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
PADEREWSKI
PEARL PENKE,
Mount Eden. Age 10 Years

over at my grandma's place they
have a dog named Paderewski He IS
long haired Russian terrier. gray and
tan.
The man who gave him to us had
named him Paderewskt after the great
musician on account of his long nair.
He is also very fond of music; when
any one goes TO the piano to play he
will follow and be an attentive lis
tener.
He is very bright and intelligent, but
has not been taught many tricks lie
can sit up and beg.
Every few months we, have him
clipped like a lion, but he does not like
to have il done. and feels so ashe med
of his appearance he wants to hide for
a while.
He has a great many nicknarnes, like
some people. and for short we call him
Bisky or Biscuits, which some people
think is very funnd. One day at the
table when some one said. Wont you
have another biscuit?" he stepped for
ward
We can not take him out riding In
the automobile, because when he sees
another dog he wants to jump out
and go for him. / guess this is all l
have to write about Paderewski.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
ANIMAL STORIES AND PRIZE WINNERS

%VTHAT is the most fun? The an
W swer TO this question in not
more than 200 words nor less
than 100 viii constitute the stories
which viii be published in the new
contest, beginning Saturday, March O..
Publication Of the animal stories
ceases next Saturday. February y, so
do not send in any more animal
stories, but prepare your story for the
new contest instead
! .:Almost every junior has some de-
cIded preference in regard to enjoy
ment The ideas of girls and boys
uspally differ greatly, and again what
rs 10 some girls or boys an intense
pleasure IS 10 others extremely dis
agreeable For instance, some girls
like 10 wash dishes and dress dolls,
and others dislike doing so very much.
.Serle derive their greatest pleasure
from some form OF exercise, such as
horseback riding. swimming, dancing
-or walking; others from the theater
-or visiting. Some boys enjoy best
the. quiet. studious hours spent in the
schoolroom: others in sports or per
.fecting some mechanical appliance or
working out an invention. Now what
do you ike best?
As in the previous contests. write
your subject on the first line. and on
the next line your name. address and
age, ana II you are at school your
school and grade Write the number
.of words contained in your story in
the upper left hand corner OF the
fret -,aoe Stories which are not
marked with the number OF words or
are written on both sides of the paper
viii not be used.
This contest is open to the juniors
OF California, or elsewhere, who are
between the ages of 10 and 10 years.
Watches will be awarded to the SIX
most interesting, best written stories.
For the younger juniors the puzzles
particulars Of which are given on the
Fourth page, are continued.
Send in your story for the new con-
test as soon as possible.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
PHILLIS
ISABEL SwITzER.
Napa City. Age IA years.

PhilliS was my aunts horse. She
was brown with a white star on her
Iore1eac My aunt brought her from
the Sandwich islands
We live on 10 acre ranch. Nv aunt
brought Phillis up here and turned her
loose In field close TO our house. She
soon became acquainted with US.
We used TO ride her around the hald
Wfthout saddle or bride. and when she
would come 10 the place she started
she would stop, and unless we jumped
on and gave her an apple she would
not go another step.
When(we wanted TO drive her We
would take an apple in one hand and
tie strap in the other. Then we
would call. Gene Philiis." and she
would look up, and il she did not see
an apple she would go on eating grass
and let US call But In she saw one
she would come up and let US put the
strap on her
We had her about three months
Wnen one day sae took sick and died
few hours later
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
ROVER
BIRDIE EASLEY HILT,
Age 10 Years

There was lady who lived in a
had a dog named Rover. She taught
him many tricks. They We're troubled
by the wolves. Her husband set some
traps out in the woods to catch them,
hoping that their dog wouldn't get
caught One day the lady was out in
the woods, when she caught her foot
in one of the traps. In trying to get
her. foot out she forgot the other
spring and caught her arm in it. She
lay there quite while, but what was
her joy when she saw Rover coming.
She told him to go home and get her
the trap wrench. The first time he
went he brought her sash, but the
next time he brought the wrench and
she unscrewed one of the screws and
bone with lots of meat on It,
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
CARLO. THE THIEF
RUTH c. MORAN,
JSaB San Jose Avenue. Horace Mann
Grammar school. ID Eighth Grade.
Age Is Years

Carlo was cocker spaniel puppy.
He was given me by friend when he
was six months old.
We were very much surprised to
have a lovely dog like Carlo given to
us because our friend seemed to be
very fond of him.
We soon discovered why she had
given him away. Carlo was a sad
thief One night we left some cakes
on the table and next morning not
cake was TO be seen. Next night the
same thing happened.
My little brother. Willie. was sc-
cused of the theft, but. though he de-
MED it, we were all sure of what we
had said. because he had done so be-
fore
The next night my mother watched
by the table. and in the middle of the
night Carlo sneaked In and began eat
ing. We were very sorry for accusing
Willie. and bought him some nice toys
TO make up.
We gave Carlo away and he STAYED
at the new home only until his fault
was discovered He has changed hands
six times since, and at last was poi
SOned.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
A PET DOG
416 Duncan Street. Noe Valley Scho"i
Third Grade. Age III Years
MARY KENNEDY,

416 Duncan Street. Noe valley schooi'
Third Grade. Age III Years
When my mother was a little girl
her uncle gave her scotch terTieF -
pup; he grew a most beautiful coat % y. l
silk like fur. silver gray. He was
bathed every Saturday and was tralnee. aimee 1
to lie in a clothes basket until ne was was
partly dry, when he jumped on cLs cndls
that was standing by and never hloNee
until he was all dry. Then ne was
brushed and combed. -
Nothing delighted him more than 70
ride in a dolls buggy. When. my motn-
er would take her doll out for a ride.
Oafer. as t.ey called him. would Wal |, /,
for her to take the doll out so he could
have his ride. and when that was nm
fshed he would Jump out.
One day he was lost and stayed away
for a week. then he came home ana
cried for long time to get In, my
mother then fixed him all up again.
About month after he disappeared
again and never returned. They all
think he was stolen. as he looked so
pretty.
Every time my mother looked at the
dolls buggy she would cry, as she dear
ly loved him. and being an only child
she was very lonesome.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
DEAR OLD BERT
RETA KLINE.
WILLOWS, Glenn County. Age ii. Eighth
Grade

We had an old black horse whose
name was Bert. He had been race
horse in his day and was as gentle as
kitten.
My sister, who was younger than l,
and | were going to school six miles
away. And we drove him.
We knew a place where there were
lots of wild flowers and made it UP to
get some when we came home from
school.
After school we went after the flow
ers and got as many as we wanted and
started home. We came to a place
called the gravel pit, which was full
OF water and very deep.
We did not know this place was dan
gerous and started through it. About
the fourth step for the horse the water
was up to his stomach. 1t got deeper
and deeper till the horse had to swim
and We were crying and yelling for
help every breath
Our dear old horse tried his best to
get out and at last succeeded in doing
so.
When we got home we told the folks
about it and everybody said Dear Old
Bert"
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
OUR BARNEY
MARGARET CRANHALL,
322 Duncan street, San Francisco.
james Lick Grammar school,
Seventh Grade. Age ii Years

Barney is a fine watchdog, with
shaggy hair, and barks loudly II he
hears a noise. The people passing on
the street laugh when they hear him
bark, for he barks so queerly. / will
now tell what happened to him while
we were camping last summer. He
was lying at the foot of the tent guard
ing the camp, when one of the horses,
happening to spy some of the hay
sticking out from under the bedding,
came up to get some. Barney no sooner
heard the noise than he flew at the
horse, The horse gave him kick on
the face. which stunned him for a
while. and he could hardly manage to
get back, into the tent. But he soon
got better again. His feet got very
sore from running over the rocks, stub
bles and rough roads, for this was his
first experience of camping out. A few
days later we started for home. and
on the way Barney, seeing a rabbit
running in the underbrush. ran after
it. over the hill they both went, and
we saw him more.
We have another dog which we call
Barney in memory of our lost dog.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
AWARDED A WATCH
MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO
DORIS RIrCHTE,
S6l9 Haste street. Berkeley. SeVentl
trade. Ased II Years

SGl9 Haste street. Berkeley. SeNenth
Grade. Aged II Years
:: There were TWO monkeys on board
the ship. Tim and Pete, that belonged
TO the capita IN. Tim was a gentle and
lorable monkey. while Pete was exact
iy the opposite. obstinate, mean and in
tru6lng and mated by all the men
aboard except the captain. OFTEN Pete
would sneak into their cabins and steal
their belongings and throw them over
board 5ut the men dared to say
nothing against MIN, lest they arouse
the dislike OF the captain. One day one
of the sailors thought Of clever
scheme. lie took Pete into his cabin
and placed him on chair. The sailor
lathered his face. as il 10 shave. then
took his razor. and on the dull side
ran il across lis throat Then he
quietly left the room The monkey,
meanwhile. was taking in all these ac-
Ilons. When he found himself lone he
also lathered his face before the mir
~rOr- and ran the sharp razor across
his throat. thus ridding the snip of a
great nuisance.
The captain was GrieVed at his death,
but could blame no one. Then Tim. who
heretofore was very shy and backward,
came to the front and became a great
pet and beloved by every one aboard.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
UNCLE DAvID'S CATS
REBECCA DIAMANT,
12471S webster street. san Francisco
Adams school. sixth Grade.
AGE L. Years

Uncle David had no children. Per-
haps this is why he was so fond OF
cats. They liked him, too. Every pussy
that lived near him expected kind
word when he went by. At one time
he owned two cats. called Una and Purr.
No children could have shown more
fondneSs than these two pussies
showed. They were full of fun and
used to play all day when Uncle David
was not at home. but as soon as he
came in and seated himself to read
they would Jump into his lap and rub
their heads against him. Uncle David s
business took him out of town. and he
came back by the $40 train in the
evening. They were very shy cats and
afraid TO meet many people, so they
would hide under some fence and wait
till they saw Uncle David coming.
Then they ran out to meet him. Una
would jump up on his shoulders and
Purr would nestle fondly in his arms.
and this was the way the three friends
came home every evening.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
MALTY
EDNA KLINE

EDNA KLINE
Eighth Grade. Willows. Glenn County.
Age 13 Years
We once had a large cat named
Malty. He was a friend OF all the
neighbors. He would sit and admire
himself in a looking glass.
One day he spied a squire hole. He
had seen the squirrel around the
chicken coop many times. He would
chase IT. but could never catch IL. One
day he sat by the hole until II came
out. He caught II by the back and
killed IT, The squirrel was so large
that he could hardly carry 1t home. He
kept the mice out of our house.
One morning about 8 O'clock we
heard the report of a gun. We missed
our eat and called but he would not
come l went outdoors to hunt for
him and found him dead The man that
shot him took him for a target and
killed him. All the neighbois and our
family missed him very much.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
ONLY A GOAT
EMMA LUCAS.
1929 Army Street, San Francisco. Haight
Primary school. Age I3 Years
EMMA IrcAS-


1929 Army Street, San Francisco. Haight
Primary school Age 13 Years
The goats name was Billy. and he
could be seen outside OF Green's saloon
every day. His one ambition in life was
to butt any person who looked at him.
One day a sailor came and sat on one
OF the stools In front OF the saloon.
Billy seemed to like him. for II he point
ed at anybody Billy would butt that
person.
Toward noon the sailor fell asleep.
and Billy laid down back of him TO
make a meal off an old shoe. sailor
named Jones. seeing some fun ahead.
pinned beer sign with goats picture
on it 10 the sleeping sailors back.
Billy saw the sign. and thinking some
other goat bad invaded his territory put
his head down and charged. The sailor
was sent irto the gutter, and Billy,
thinking the goat was retreating. kept
UP the attack
The sailor started to run. but Billy"s
head hit the sign again. making ii drop
off. Billy looked at the sailors retreat
Ing figure suspiciously. then seeing the
sign on the ground he smelled 4 once
or twice. Liking the smell, he laid
down and began 10 eat il slowly.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
A GORILLA HUNT
FEROL CONRAD,
= GfLUL NUNAlU
1921 Vermont street, san Francisco.
Columbia Grammar school. A Fifth
Grade Age II Years

Once a hunter went 10 Africa to hunt
gorillas- He thought he would XIII
two or them. He started with some
natives on the hunt. They went through
the forest until they reached a place
Wnere they heard noise that made
them jump. Just then thev saw q
gorilla come from behind tree The
hunter fred and wounded him. He
however, seemed 70 be reused to fury
and turned 10 face his enemies He
came so near to the man that he broke
his gun in two pieces. A native hand 4
ed MN another and he shot again and
dangerous II was he never thought OF
killing another, so he returned to Eu-
of money for his prize
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
AWARDED A WATCH
THE TRIcKERY OF TOPSY
RALPH WHEELER,
Strawberry District. Route 3, Box 1913,
Santa RoSa. Age IL Years

santa Rosa. Age IL Years
Mrs. Jones WAS nearly heartbroken
10 think she had TO give UP her beau
tfful white cat Cotton" but she was
such a thief that nothing could be left
within her reach.
She had administered whipping after
whipping on the beautiful white fur
but Il seemed TO DO no good, for the
Nerv minute she left the room the
steak or bread was stolen and pussy
with a contented look on her face,
would sit by the empty plate and blink
her eyes at her mistress.
Then that awful whipping, and Iopsy,
the little black curly dog, would cry
and whine as much as Cotton.
one day Mrs. Jones, unobserTed by
T-opsv and Cotton, to her great sur
prise. discovered Topsy on a chair
stealing her steak while Cotton slept
peacefully behind the stove. After eat
Ing the steak Topsy ran over TO Cot
Ton and taking ner by the neck pulled
her over to the table and sat her
down by the empty plate.
He then CURED himself up behind
the stove Although Topsy hated to
see Cotton punished the temptation
was too great. and he would rather
Cotton should be blamed than himself.
cotton still remains with Mrs. Jones.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
WISE LITTLE PEARLIE
ALICE ERICSSON.
It. Helena. seventh Grade.
IL Hen-9

Pearlie was the name OF my pet
Plymeuth Rock hen that was acct
dentany killed a few months ago
while stealing grain III a neighboring
Pearlie was quite plump and real
Wise she was not so tame as TO en-
able me te catch her. but would rrtn
and hide. Sometimes I would md her
perched on the branch Of a rose bush
or IN some dark corner.
One DAY caught Pearlie and put
her In my doll bed. I expected her
20 try to get away. but instead she
lay as still as could be. She lay In
this position for a long while.
When Pearlie used to run away
would watch where she hid and one
aaF after long search found her
behind several boards. then took her
into the room where my cousin was
painting He painted her neck red.
green and black.
II had taught Pearlie not to Bteal
she would still be my pet
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
FAITHFUL FIDO
AUDE REESE.
1925 Grand Street, Alameda. Age Is
Years

Years
Jack Holden had sold his shares in
the Lone star mine and stored the
money in his saddle bags. He had been
delayed, and as there were many miles
TO ride before dark he started as soon
as possible. accompanied by his little
dog t'ido. Having gone a considerable
distance they stopped TO feed and water
the horse. Jack ueciding to go no far
ther that night. All the while he had
noticed Fido acting strangely. He would
look down the road and run and snap
at his masters heels. Jack took no no
tice of this, but after he had eaten and
lain down he found Fido becoming
much worse. He tried to pacify the lit
tie dog. 10 no purpose. Fearing Ffdo
had become mad. much against his will
Jack was forced to shoot his little pet.
Sadly mounting his horse he rode away.
Fortunately Fido had not been killed.
The faithful little fellow dragged him
self back to the lost saddle bag. Jack.
soon discovering his loss. galloped back
searching for his money. finally finding
his treasure and his little dog dead be-
side il.
Then he understood. too late. little
Fido's warning
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
BILLY AND THE JUNIOR
CALL
FLORENCE RETTLING,
4S6 Utah Street. CrOcker Grammar
School. Seventh Grade. Age


We were living in the country.
Father used to send The Call to us
every week. ] did not take much in
terest in the newspapers till one day
happened to see The Junior Call.
After that 1 would impatiently wait
till Saturday came with my paper L
would run out by the creek and try to
write a story. but never succeeded.
One day when I was out under a
big willow tree. one of my playmates,
named Ethel, asked me to take drive
with her, SO, putting down my paper,
went.
Two hours later we came home and
went right down to the creek. but my
paper was gone. We searched and
searched, but could find no paper. Pat.
our hired man, came up and said our
old goat Billy had been seen with some
thing white in his mouth. We ran
down the field and there was Billy eat
ing my Junior Call. After that / did
not let my paper lie around where
Billy could get 1t.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
A FAITHFUL CAMEL
ALDEN GRANT,
sos Linden Avenue. Grass Valley. Bell
Hill School, Fifth A Grade.
Age IL Years

In the desert lived a camel named
Ben. Ben's owner was a boy named Ali.
Ali was sent by his father to GAIA.
1t was a very long journey.
Ali started out boldly for he knew
it would be hard journey. After two
or three days journey d sandstorm
arose. Ali sprang from the camel and
lay fiat on the ground Ben was faith
full to ALI all his life
The camel at once knew what to
do. so he lay with his head on Ais.
The storm came and 1t was a terrific
storm. Soon as the storm was over the
camel got up.
Ali couldn't get up. so the camel
paved the sand away so Ali could
Ali went on his journey without any
other such adventures. When he re-
turned home he related his adventure.
The camel was praised for saving the
boys life. The boy never went out
alone after that. He always went in
company with caravan.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
FAITHFUL FAIRY
ESTHER BEICKE.
33S Sanchez Street, San Francisco
Eighth Grade. Age IA Years


Eighth Grade. Age il Years
Fairy was an ugly British bull ter
rier, as much unlike a fairy as any
one could imagine. Although Fairy
wag ugly. he was a very good watch
dog and would mind kathleen. his lit
tie mistress, better than man. Kath-
leen had a baby brother whom she
loved very much. and whenever Fairy
saw Kathleen petting her brother he
was very jealous.
one day Kathleen went out riding
With her mother and Fairy followed
but was soon told TO go home and mind
the house He did not like to. but
obeyed. and when he reached the house
he heard a noise up in the nursery. See
ing no one about, Fairy went up to the
nursery where the baby was and he saw
a dark woman who was holding the
baby. She was just going out of the
door with him when Fairy ran in front
OF her, guarded the door and barked
very loudly to call the nurse. When
the nurse arrived she took the baby
from the woman. The woman said: 4
did not intend TO hurt the baby" Fairy
saved the haby's life. A year later
Fairy did not know whom he loved
best Kathleen or the baby.
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27
A TRUE STORY
JOSEPHINE STEFFEN
Eighth Grade. Box 416, Chico. Age 13
Years

Years
Down the street game forlorn old
woman. over her head a tattered shaw
at her heels a shaggy little dog. AS
she walked slowly along she drew ner
shawl around her poor old body. She
had been going from door TO door ask
ing for food, but all had turned her
away
AS she came to her own miserable
home, no children to greet her or TO
help her up the steps: no companion
but the little dog by her side.
She stepped inside and closed the
door, then fell in a heap beside the
bed. worn out and snivering with cold
The dog jumped about and barked un-
til The old shoe maker. whose shop was
in the front room. hearing the noise
came to the door. IT was. indeed.
sad sight that met his eyes. The old
woman was dead where she has Fallen
The little dog was pulling and tuSging
at the bed clothes. doing his best to
cover the cold body Faithful doc, He
was doing what he could for his friend,
but it was too late.
AS the old shoe maker turned sadly
away he said. Poor old lady-she no
father-no mother-no children-JuSt
dOg-that'S all :"