davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
The Sunf1ower

BY Ruth Kirschstein, Aged 10 Years, 1901
Grand Avenue, Omaha. Red Side.
Once there was a little fairy that lived
in the bottom of a big river. She had her
cave far down in the water, but she had
a chariot to drive around her realm. for
you must know that she was a ruler over
the fairies. Her chariot was a beautiful
pink shell, and her horses were a fish and
a lobster. One time as she was driving
around she fell fast asleep. Her horses
kept on going up, up, up, until they
reached the surface of the water. The lit
tie fairy started from her sleep, for the
shell was stuck tight to the waving grass,
and when she saw the glorious sun the
green trees and some little boys fishing,
she wondered il she were still asleep. But
the thing that caught her fancy most was
the sun. She stayed there all day, turn
ing only when the sun set and rose. She
stayed there one week. and finally people
saw instead Of a lovely little fairy a beau
tiful "sunflower." Its green stalk and
leaves were the fairy's green dress, the
petals to the flower were the fairy's sunny
tresses, and the brown center of the flower
was the fairy's dark eyes. thus this sim
pie story tells us only how we came to get
the sunflower. When we see a sunflower
let us think that a long time ago 1t was a
water fairy.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Second Prize.)
The Proverb

By Verna Kirschbaum, Aged ~ Years, 511
. South Twenty-fourth Street, Omaha.
Blue Side.
Harriet Stanford was looking over a book
of proverbs when suddenly she stopped.
Tim is money" she read, what a
queer proverb."
But as the clock just struck 2 she put
aN ay her book and started out for a walk.
She passed by a big red building and
then said, That's where the orphans live.
1 wish I could help them. but we have no
money to spare"
But then she seemed to see the words,
thine Is money" before her eyes.
1T could get up a club and sew things
for the orphans" she said. al I believe
TIL ask the girls THAT they think about It. "
She did so. and as the girls agreed the
club was soon started.
They agreed to have no meetings dur
ing the summer. but by that time they had
finished many things.
When thS matron OF the orphanage re-
ceived the things she said: There are
many proverbs, my dear, and 1 hope that
all of them will put to such good use"
When Harriet went to bed that night
she felt very happy. Everywhere she went
she seemed to hear the proverb, and even
the trees, as they nodded, seemed to say.
Thine is money"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Two Girls

By Mildred Johnson, Aged 10 Years, Wa
hoo, Neb. Blue Side.
There were two little girls, whose names
were Evelyn Thornton and Marian Rich
mond. Marian had everything she wanted,
but Evelyn had to earn money. So. one
day their teacher at school said: TN a
month I am going to nave a prize given to
the girl who has earned and saved the
money"
So. as they were going homo Marian
said to Evelyn: ut is no use for you to
try. because I can get my papa to give
me some money"
oh said Evelyn. would you do that
1 wouldn't. That would be deceitful. She
said for us to earn some"
"Oh, well. 1 don't care" said Marian
In a few days Evelyn was working very
hard n had Sl2, while Marian didn't v
any.
At last the time came when the prizea
were to be given out.
Marian's papa had given her $500, whih
Marian only had SIP.
At last they said that Marian had thu
prize. and she got a pretty diamond ring
and after she got It she said she didnt
want 1t. and she told the whole story.
Evelyn got the prize and she Is nov
working in a millinery store and getting
500 a month, while Marian isn't doing
anything.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
The Mountain inc

Nv Helen Cross. Aged II Years, PIP Front
Street, North Platte, Neb. Blue Side.
There was once a princess who lived in
a castle on the top Of a mountain and 1t
was said that the young man who would
bring her the most beautiful flowers would
rave her hand in marriage,
There was a king who lived near by and
he had two sons, the oldest seemed to be
very very bright, but the younger was
a simple. little fellow. The king heard OF
the princess and made up his mind to
have his Oldest son try his luck so he
furnished him with beautiful flowers. a
horse. wine, and a few rich cakes and
started him on his Journey. The younger
son had heard of this princess also, and
he went to ask his father, but the father
refused to furnish him with a horse so
that he would be able to go. But the boy
went to the barn and got an old mule
and drew some sour beer and started on
his journey.
The eldest son rode along away UP the
mountain when he met an old man who
asked him for some of his wine, and
cakes, but the young man refused him and
he rode until he came to the door of the
castle where he was allowed to be shown
to the princess, but just as he was in front
Of the throne the flowers became common
sunflowers and the princess laughed at
him and he returned home heart-broken.
The younger son had also met the old
man and ne told him he had only sour
beer, but he would share 1t gladly. The
old man drank 1t and wished the boy
good luck. The boy had been gathering
wild flowers as those were the only ones
he could get. He was shown into the prin-
cess presence and then he reached the
throne his flowers turned into the most
beautiful flowers and the princess ex-
claimed, "Oh, what beautiful flowers!'
TIL princess liked the man and they were
married.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
The Fairies May Party

BY Jeanette Thornton. Aged 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 s 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
crowned the queen and this is the way
they did It: They chose two fairies and
the fairies took the crown and placed it
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

mother went on about her work, bestow-
ing no sympathy, thinking II would be best
to let Helen learn her own lesson.
When she got to school the next morn
ing all the girls called out: Helen have
yol got your problems, let's compareT
oNo, 1 haven't snapped Helen. She
passed by without another word and went
upstairs.
why, what have we done to herr When
have we offended herr asked the girls OF
each other. "oh, 1 know what's the mat
ter" exclaimed Edith. You girls forgot
to invite her to your party last night"
That right, we forgot all about Helen"
well, the best we can do is to be real
friendly towards her." But Helen would
have her spite out and was not willing to
make up right away.
In at out a week one df~the girls went
to her and begged her to be their friend
again.
OH What a miserable week 1t had been
and Helen was quite willing to make up.
She was sorry now that she had been so
spiteful. She always told her little sister
the story and at the close she would say,
Now Jenny this is the moral: Never cut
off your nose to spite your face"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
The Little Indian and Springtime Z
Grace v. Bradley, asia Charles Street, omaha.

peculiar clay-like soil, the gumbo.
They fashion wonderfully realistic
birds and animals. making bucking
bronchos, with cowboy riders; buffalo,
coyotes, range cattle, etc, in which
action is striking.
Spring means rain storms, which
leave puddles Of water where boats
may be sailed.
Spring is the time for the girls to
take their odd little rag dolls out of
doors to the cunning wee tepees in
the shade OF the house. Most delicious
mud viands are prepared and mag
mary meals served.
The boys run races and play horse,
the horses dancing and prancing,
shaking their heads and running
away, as prairie horses do.
Kites "come in again, made by the
boys. Their kites are covered on both
sides, an opening being made in one
side, which admits the wind, so tina
the kite really is somewhat like a bag.
Their tops, too, are homemade and
are handled differently from the way
in which our white boys handle theirs.
a hNidh IVY with d BOOu lltIlo
whip, keeps his top in motion for a
long time. They have their own pc
culiar sling-shots. These are similar
to those of the white boys, but the
Indian boy whirls his round and round
with n hand, then let's go n the
pebble shoots afar. On the hillside
the smaller children like to hunt for
pebble lows and horses, the notified
stones always representing the cows,
while the horses must be larger.
In the evenings between supper and
bed time, occur the foot races, which
the boys like. Moccasins are best to
run in and the boy who happens to
have lone orders his mother to make
q pair at once.
Each season brings its rounds of
amusements, but in the Indian land
spring is as welcome as to the rest
of the world.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
(First Prize.)
The Raqman's Dream
BY Mabel Witt, Aged Is Years. Benningt

BY mabel Witt, Aged IL Years, Bennington,
Neb. Blue Side.
A poor man was walking along the
streets OF Boston, carrying a bag Of rags.
1t was a warm day. Tired with his long
walk. he sat down to rest. He had bought
many kinds Of rags hat day, but as he
looked in the bag the red, blue, white and
black rags had all reported themselves
and were talking about their value. The
red and blue rags said they were more
valuable, because they were found In the
flag.
The black rags said they were OF the
most value. because that comforts sor-
row. while the white rags said they were
in the flag, they had noticed that the man
had paid more for them than the others,
The man laughed as he heard the silly
quarrel and said:. You will all be
ground. soaked, boiled and pressed and
run between rollers until you won't know
which OF you are red, white or blue. Some
Of you will go into families. But as rags
you would be allowed to remain on the
floor In the attic" He gave the bag a
shake n mixed all up sgain. He was
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, | have a
good lob as a sailor. I am going 20 cross
the Atlantic ocean. / Will be goae two
years" The mother was sorry 20 he alone
all that time.
The next apy Mrs. Clay packed up
Henry's clothes, for he was 20 start at 3
o'clock that afternoon. His mother babe
h.-, good1bve and as the ship left the
harbor the mother went back % her little
cottage feeling very lonely without her
only son. The next day a lady IN black
knocked at her door. II was her sister.
Mrs. Harmon. She had come 10 stay with
her while Henry was away. Henry arrived
In six days. he sent = letter BY the first
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 circlei
away itill the two years were gone ard
1t was time for Henry to return home.
Mrs. CLAY and Mrs Harmon were sittlna
sewing when a u man 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 ha
and his mother and Mrs, Harmon lived
in happiness ever after.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Fred's Prize
BY Martha Noble. Aged II Years, 1896 Haw
thorne Avenue (Bemis Park, Omaha
Blue Side.

BY Martha Noble. Aged II Years, 1896 Haw-
thorne Avenue (Bemis Park), Omaha.
Blue Side.
There was great commotion in the little
country schoo house for a prize was TO be
given to the one who read the best.
OF course Ralph Simerson thought he
would get 1t since his father was the rich
est Of all the fathers of the boys in the
school.
He didn't think the reading mattered
much. But the teacher and the supeIin-
tendent did. Raloh's father was L proud,
selfish man, his mother was a sick, pale,
nervous woman.
But there was one poor boy named Fred
Smith, who vas poor but honest ard
who won the teachers favor very rapidly.
He worked very hard for the prize, but
had no hope Of WANING it.
The teacher watched him and smiled
family, for she knew who would get It.
When the exciting day came, l:ed had
no new suit to wear like Ralrh. but he
was more certain o: i1is work.
The super lten'lent came otoue fifteen
minutes before two in the afternoon with
the prize. Every one wondered what it
was and VINO would get it.
He called upon each me to read. When
he came to Ralph he failed utterly. Next
was Fred's Iurn. Al eyes were turned
toward MIN. lie read with 4 voice which
was pretty shaky.
There were just five more to read aud
then the prize was to be given out. Fred
smith receives the prize" called out the
superintendent. He handed 1t 10 Tred,
who went home with & happy heart, you
may be sure.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Peter and Paul Go A-Hunting
NJ 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 tpwn could ride and shoot as they
could. (There were no other boy twins
in the town. and the two pairs of girl twins
did not really countD.
Ibid you ask mamma If 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
her?"
"Nope. I 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
ave asked mamma II we might come
a-hunting on Old Witch"
"oh, she won't care said Paul. ''we'll
get hons before dinner. And when we re-
turn with a bear-maybe two of EN-
mamma will be so proud OF us that 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
WV Wv PCONhGl III ~ uOOu
spread the news all over town. The we'n
be sure enough heroes. Won't that be
great?'
Sure, It WILL" acquiescsd 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.
'Piunger 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-
clded 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 Pau wandering
about, much frightened, hunting for their
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

horses. Not that they cared particularly
for Bounder and PIupger. 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 to 60. 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 IL would be a good thing to
build q circle of small fires, and get into
the center Of the burning circle should a
bear OF an elephant or a giraffe appear.
At any rate. the twins were lost and
frightened. and wondered 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 suspiciously like a human voice,
and 1t said "Hellol Hello-o-ol"
'Its a man." whispered Paul. fear seiE
ing him. What II it's a wild Indians
Ugh! Let's hide"
1T may be a wizard!" whispered Peter.
Yes. let's hide" Then they looked about
for a hiding place. secure from the eyes
and nose OF the being. who. judging from
sound was approaching.
"Hello-o-o-ol Hello-o-o-or' again came
the cry. Peter and Paul dropped their
guns. elasped hands. and together erouched
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-frightful, scarey
things!-crawled over them. But better
bugs than an Indian, or a real wizard. or
worse still. maybe a pirate!'
'Hello-o-o! Kids, where are you?
H~el-i-o-o-o!'
The voice was nearer and nearer, and re-
sounded in the hollow tree, whore lay
trembling Peter and Paul, 1T sounds just
like Uncle Toms voice" whispered Peter.
YES. It does" replied Paul in 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 scamps to get lost
in this woods"
Eyes, they're already lost. I'll be bound. -
said another voice, also familiar.
The other one talks like Uncle Tom
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 his
foot and a voice cried out: why, here's
one Of the rasealsl I've got his foot! Well.
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 Evangeline's room
one Saturday evening. Little thought they
how much good they were doing as they
sang:
Lead kindly light. amid tn encircllng
gloom,
Lead thou Inc on.
The night is dark and I am far from home,
Lead thou me 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 home really was and how different II
Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
Returning Good for Evil

BY Marguerite Carpenter, 1925 Cunning
Street. Omaha. Blue Side.
please, sir. may l 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 1t 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" gruTfly swered
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 l 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; you'n pay for this
Oh, motherl mother! And he sank down
on the ground.
A gray-haired man 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 man.
II am the boy who eleven years ago
you would not let see his dead mother"
II suppose now you have come for your
revenge7" he questioned.
mo, I have 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

EET HAT is spring to the little In
IW dian. the real child of Ma
- ture2 It means. to those In
4<4I school, a desire (often car
ried outl to be a moment
late when the bells ring n in a
hurry to get out again and shout and
laugh M skip and run. They well
come the return OF the meadowlark,
whose o Is in the Sioux language,
20 the little Indians say, They see
the first crow and duck; they find the
very first gr~asshopper and butterfly
and bring them into the house to
show the mission ladies. They dis
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
n 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 we'll 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 1t.
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
n 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

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 ne 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 e~Xertion and en-
ba~rrassment. 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 consent? And. COM
ing, why did you hide?"
Peter and Paul 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.
"well. my little runaways. your mother
is very much frightened about you, and
we've been sent to fetch you, But the
minute you get home you'l be put to bed
without dinner or supper. for your have
to pay the penalty for your naughtiness.
Your mother was planning to take you TO
the woOds fOf . P.LsiiC today, Sut ao"
you'n 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
mesa