davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
ny Florence a '

Mother said God would forgive me IL
1 got on my knees and confessed my
wrongdoing. And 1 did il, too. So l guess
God forgave me; but father didn't. He
sent me to bed without any supper, and
when Christmas came 1 didn't get the
knife l wanted. Oh, il doesn't pay to be
naughty or disobedient" And Joey
strapped up the mouth Of the schoolbag.
Then slapping on his hat and overcoat, he
started toward the door. Say, Sis, 1
won't wait for you he said. Il want to
play a little with Tom and Teddy before
the last bell rings" Then bethinking him
self, he turned toward the door leading into
the kitchen and called out: Say, Maggie,
don't let May be late to school. You know
mother went uptown with father this
morning to do some marketing and left
May in my care. I'll leave her in yours"
Then away flew Joey in the direction Of
the school house.
"Al right, Master Joey" answered
Maggie, the maid-of-all-work. Then she
got Mays jacket and hat and packed up
her books for her. "NoY, little dearie, you
are ready for school" And the good
servant patted little Mays mead and re-
turned to her work in the kitchen.
May went out Of the house. drawing on
her red wooden mittens as she walked. Her
bookbag was over her shoulder. IF God
forgaye joey for running away, she unused
as she passed out at the gate, II would
forgive me, too. And as for a knife at
Christmas-well. l don't want one" Then
instead OF going up the long street that
led to the school house, May turned in an
opposite direction and ran along beside the
high hedge, which prevented Maggie from
seeing her should that good soul look from
the window.
After getting well out of sight Of the
house, May sat down on the roadside. Hei
eyes turned in the direction Of the hills
among which lay the sunken Indian
graves, keeping their own secrets and
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

might be delivered out OF the wilderness
ard out OF the house OF bondage She
repeated the strange words which came TO
her. for she had heard them in the church
or the Sunday school, and thought they
sounded very grand. But az the end OF hes
prayer she cried out from her heart: on
Lord. lead poor little May back 20 mother
Then fresh tears flowed. but her heart
felt lighter and. rising. she turned down
the hillside. As she did 50 a dark object
appeared on the road quite a long way off.
As il drew nearer May beheld Il 70 be q
farmers horses and wagon. In the wagon
sat a man, who, on noticing the little child
standing beside the road. refined IN his
horses. WAL, how-dy-do, little one. he
grinned. Where did you come from, and
what be you dom away out here two
miles from town
May told every word Of her. story, and
gave her fathers name.
"Ah. I know your pap we'll" declared
the good farmer. Come, jump into the
wagon and I'll tote you home I pass by
your house goln' into town. But, say.
child. don't you know there's not a sign
Of an Injun grave in these parts any moreY
Been gone forty years. 1 reckon. Why,
it's been so long ago that the red fellows
was buried there that II you found a grave
there'd be nothin' in II but dust But
never mind lots OF grownup folks hunt for
things harder TO find and. Of course, never
git EN-"
Thus the farmer consoled May as she
sat beside him In the wagon, a horse
blanket wrapped snugly about her. And
after a little while the wagon stopped at
her own gate. and there she saw her
mother coming out, her eyes frightened.
When she beheld her little daughter she
threw up her hands, exclsiming, Thank
God. my child Is here" Then as May ran
into her arms and the farmer drove on,
the shamed little girl confessed that she
had nun away from school and told the
whole story from the minute she left her
own home till she returned to Il.
"Oh, dearie," said the mother, leading
May into the house, Il just got home a
few minutes ago. and Maggie and Joey
had come in for luncheon and asked why
you had not been at school This morning
thought you might have taken toothache
after he left. 1 ran to question him my
self. lie said you had not been at school
that he had not seen you since he left the
house this morning. 1 was just rushing
out to give the alarm that you were stolen
or lost. when up you came IN the farmers
wagon. Oh, child. how Joey. Maggie and
were frightened!" And the mother
dropped into a chair and wiped tears from
:. her eyes.
sis ought to have a whipping declared
Joey. who had come in in time to overhear
Mays story. Naughty girls and boys
need to be punished"
sisters been punished enough said
Mother in a low voice, And she has re-
pented Of her wrongdoing. And she has
; seen how she made brother and mother
I and Maggie worry, too. which adds TO her
punishment. And 1 know God will forgive
, her-if she never does so any more"
3 Il never, never will be naughty again. q
r said May. Then. with tears streaming, she
threw herself into her loving mother
= arms, where she wept out her naughtiness
: And pretty soon Maggie brought in a bis
d slice OF bread and butter and-think Of it'll
e spread with Jam.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
A Hard Test
BY Anna Popp, Aged Il Years, 1924 North
Twenty Seventh street, south Omaha,
Neb. Red Side.

By Anna Popp. Aged Il Years, los4 North
Twenty Seventh Street south Omaha,
Neb. Red Side.
The boy was Y years old. All he knew
of life was that there were nine months Of
school,, with a lot of play. and three months
Of play. and no school
This vacation was to be a little different,
but the boy didn't know it.
Come on, son, 1 need your help" said
the father one evening after his own days
work was done. i want this dirt carried
up TO our flat"
The boy opened his mouth wide. His
father wanted him to carry baskets OF dirt
up three flights Of steps. There was a
queer feeling of resentment all about in
side Of him.
Il can't carry dirt" he said.
Never too late to learn" said father,
good-naturedly. Here, you take the
lighter basket"
Up the stairs went the boy. The air was
close and he got hot and breathless.
Down he came again. The dirt had to he
dug and shoveled into the basket. He grew
hotter and the perspiration began to trickle
down his back.
The boys are playing bali. I'm going
over" he said at last. with impatience. Il
can't shovel dirt"
"Al right, my bC1," said father; but
I'm disappointed in you. I had expected to
find you able to stick TO a thing. l counted
on your help, too; but it's all right; go
ahead and play ball.
The boy washed his hands and went over
into the next yard. 1t was the first time
he ever remembered feeling uncomfortable
when playing ball. Tonight it wasn't much
fun. Pretty soon he left the boys and
went upstairs to his mother. BY and by he
came down, rolled up his sleeves and went
at the shoveling.
His father had planned a little garden
for the fire escape corner. 1t took a LOT
of dirt.
The boy sweated and puffed. He blist-
cred his hands; but he stuck.
At last the work was done. Father and
son washed themselves and got ready for
supper.
After supper. when the father had
stretched himself out for a pleasant houl
with his newspaper, the boy came to him.
II guess. father" he said with an air half
ashamed, and yet OF new manliness, q
guess 1t was a good thing for me to d.
something that l didn't wan to do"
Father held out his hand. The boy
grasped it with a strong grip.
I'm mighty glad ] stuck, father" saiC
the boy.
Good for you,' said father.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
The Birds

By DeEtte, H~ardinbrook, Aged 10 Years,
Omaha. Blue Side.
One day as was going to my grandma's
house, 1 saw a beautiful bird hopping on
the ground. In a few minutes it picked
up a crumb and flew up in a tree on the
edge of a limb near a nest. Then / saw a
little bird hopping on the edge Of the nest.
As soon as it's mother saw her little bird
she hid the crumb. At last the little bird
saw the crumb and wanted it, so tha
mother bird gave IL 70 ner. =, ths' mo-
ment my grandma called me for dinner. 50
that was the last l saw of the little bird
and its mother.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

for the dear child Jesus, who was born on
that day.
She put on a clean white linen cloth
trimmed with lace some wax candles in
brass candlesucks and a statue OF our
blessed lady. Just at her feet she placed
a straw basket wherein lay the blessed
babe. and then she said. L have not a
single flower to give Thee on Thy birthday.
She stepped out into the snow and ran
into the garden. She knelt down and
prayed and when she finished a bright light
shone before her. Il was God Himself and
he said. Child. II thou viii but keep My
commandments l would rather have it han
all the flowers in the world.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Owning Up

BY Annie Wardian, Aged II Years, 1922
North Twenty-seventh Street. South
South Omaha Red Side.
Jenny Smith was a duffer at arithmetic,
there was no denying that. But today a
wonderful thing had happened-she'd man
aged to get all the answers right to her
four really hard sums
Bravo. JENNY" said her teacher. You're
getting on"
But somehow Jenny didn't look very
pleased. though she lad always wanted so
much to be clever at doing sums. And
you would have thought she'd have been
more pleased than ever at getting them
right today, because she was the only
one who had done so.
At least she was until Mary Faulkner
brought her book up.
"why, Mary, you've got all your sums
right, too. today" said the teacher in as
constituent, for she knew that Mary
wasn't any better than Jenny at arithmetic
as a rula.
Now Jenny and Mary had sat next to
each other, and when their teacher noticed
this she called them both to her.
I'm very much afraid" she said that
one Of you two has been copying"
Poor Mary hung her head and blushed
and when her teacher saw this she said:
was TX you, MARY
And the little girl sobbed and cried, and
was too frightened to deny it. 50 the
teacher sent Jenny back to her seat and
took Mary to the head mistress.
And when all the classes were together
before going home there stood poor Mary
in disgrace. She was close beside the
head mistress, and everyone whispered and
nodded as they talked TO each other about
what she had done. When she appeared
outside the school later on they pointed at
her and called her Cheat" But no one
noticed Jenny Smith. who stood by her
self in a corner, looking and feeling as
miserable as a girl could.
And no wonder. for she had been the
cheat. and hadn't the courage to confess,
so Mary had suffered because she was
such a nervous little girl. But Jenny
made up her mind to tell the truth &c
her teacher that afternoon and she did.
OF course, she felt ~dreadfully ashamed Of
herself, but the head mistress said Il
was only fair to Mary to explain thing
before the whole school.
Though Jenny passed through a terrible
ten minutes while the explanation wa
going on. she felt quite nghthsarted anC
happy when u was over. because she knew
she had lone what was right. And shl
never forgot how much harder Il Is Il
own up" when we've tried first OF all q
escape telling the truth.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Easy when You Know How.

Magistrate Hughes Of Philadelphia, who
Is known far aud wide for his wit and
good, sound Judgment in disposing Of cases
that come before him daily, was sitting in
his office at SIC Tasker street a few days
ago when a young man rushed in. He was
excited and out Of breath and was without
a hat.
Judge" he CALCULATED, Il am in a peck
Of trouble and 1 want you TO help me out
Of it II you can" r
wei, let's hear what It is" replied the
magistrate. Said ttts troublous one:
Living in my house with my wife and
me is my brother and his wife. We both
rave babies ard they look so much alike
that I'm afraid we have them mixed.
4 think my brother has mine and l have
his. Each baby has black hair and blue
eyes and one tooth. They are dressed
alike. too"
Are you sure they are twisted" asked
the magistrate.
Am / sure Of il? Why, / am positive. %
was the quick reply.
Wen, then" suggested the genial judge
If that Is the case. why not go home and
exchange them"
That's just what IN do" said the
anxious father, and he hastily departed.
Everything must be lovely now. for the
young man has not been seen since b.
Mr.. Hughes-Phnadelphia Telegraph.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

his mother who was a -hardworking woman.
She washed for her living.
Thanksgiving was coming and what
could she do. She had no coal and it was
very cold and the snow lay on the ground
in great quantities. She had to have some
thing for Jack.
One night as he was lighting lamps. he
saw a bird laying on the ground stiff. Jack
took it home and made a bed for It. At
last it opened its eyes and began TO flutter.
Jacks mother let il go.
The next day Mrs. Byron, Jacks mother,
received a letter, It had SIS in it. Now She
could buy coal. The next morning Jack
got up and saw a cheerful fire burning.
He had liver, pickles and bread for Thanks
giving.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Learn to Obey

BY Bruce Taylor, Aged 10 Years. Abbot,
Neb. Blue Side.
Once upon a time, John asked his mother
If he could 90 swimming. His mother said
that the water was too cold and he might
get cramps He did not obey his mother.
for there were 4 lot Of other boys going,
and when they got there one boy measured
the water. II was deep, and after they
had been swimming a while one OF the
boys called. help! help!' It was John.
He had cramps. and one Of the boys threw
him a line. After a while they got him
out. After that he always obeyed his
mother.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
A. Corrected BY WINE.

Secretary Robert ID. Argue Of the board
OF education tells this story:
"A teacher in the primary grade OF a
Newark school was instrueing her class in
the composition OF sentences. After a talk
OF several minutes she wrote two sentences
on the blackboard. one dramatically
wrong, the other a misstatement Of facts.
The sentences were: The hen has three
legs. Who done it2"
Willie she said. go to the blackboard
and show where the fault lies in these two
sentences
Willie did so. To her establishment he
wrote: The hen never done IL: God done
IT, Newark Star.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
The Butterfly

By Mabel Houston. Aged 9 Years. 3OlS
North Sixteenth Street Red Side.
There is one gay creature; do you know
who he is? II is the butterfly.
He fits among the flowers in the sun
shine all day long.
One day the queen Of the butterflies was
going to have a party. She invited all the
rest but him. The night OF the party he
came in and said: If you don't give me
some dew and honey l will kill you" SO
they gave him some, but he was an unweI-
come visitor.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Why The Indians Went Away

BY George Nicnoison. Abbott, Neb., Aged
13 years. Blue Side.
once upon a time a family lived out
west. They lived near some Indians and
the Indians did not like the white people,
50 one DAY they crept up to the house OF
the white people and they saw the little
baby sitting outside the door. They crept
up to where the baby was sitting and they
took her ana ran awav TO their camp,
where they kept her for three days. Then
they sent a note TO the chiid's parents.
They said; we know where your baby
is and if you will pay $40 to Us We VIII
bring your baby to you. When the father
and mother read this he sent q note back
saying they would pay what they wanted
The Indians took the baby back and got
the money, but as soon as they got back
to the camp were afraid they would get
caught, 80 they went away TO another
part OF the country.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

NashiIgtOn for which the state Railroad
and Warehouse commission could find no
Improvements TO suggest
Blackwell Is now building an extension
OF his road from Newport TO the NIetalins
mining district a particularly inaccessible
region which, when it gets transporta-
ton, will rival the Occur d'Alene district
In the production OF lead and silver.
When James j. Hin visited Spokane last
summer he met Blackwell. Il understand
you intend building a road down the Pen
dOrvlle river was his greeting, Il do"
was the quiet response OF the timber kinx.
But l plan to build a branch OF the
Great Northern down there Then there
win be two roads" was the equally quiet
reply. The Blackwell road Is the one
that Is being built.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

A lawyer came into court drunk. when
the judge said 10 him:
sir, I am sorry TO see you 10 a situa-
ton which f. a disgrace 10 yourself and
family, and the profession 10 which you
belong"
This reproof elected the following col
loquy:
Did your honor speak to me-?
Il did sir, 1 said, sir, that, in my opinion.
you disgraoed yourself and family. the
court and the profession BY your course Of
onduct.'
Maybe --lt please your honor. l have
been an attorney in-in--in his e-eourt
for nftssa years and. permit me 70 say.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
When John got Lost.

By Dorothy Taylor, Abbott, Neb., Aged
> years. bIue S1ue.
Long ago before you and 1 were born
some people lived in Wyoming. They had
a little girl and boy. The boy was named
John, aged four, and the girl named Mary.
aged T. one day the little boy strayed
far from his home. His father sent nine
men to hunt for the lost boy. When John
found and brought back home his
mother took better care OF him.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
without Prejudice.

Mayor Coughlin Of Fan River. speaking
at a recent banquet, told a story about an
old Fail River abolitlonlst.
The old boy" said Mayor Coughlin,
went 70 the theater in Boston one night
and saw 'Othello.' His knowledge OF the
Bard Of Avon was limited: he had no idea
that the hero Of the piece was a white man
blackened up.
Well after the play was over, a friend
asked him what he thought OF the actors.
He cleared his throat and de-
iiberately;
Wall, layin' all sectional prejudicss
aside and putin out Of the question any
partially ! may have for the race as seeh-
burned IL l don't think the Niger held his
own with any on EN- "-Boston Herald.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
The First Snow.

BY Geneye Cole. Aged Il Years. Neigh.
Neb. Red Side.
snow was falling silently
On the black tops towering high;
on the tops that stood loftily.
Reaching so near the cold graz sky.
It covered the walks and porches,
II carpeted field and lawn:
Covers the bird who hops ami searches
His food in the early dawn.
The children get happy and merry,
And want 20 be Off and away,
And their checks get red as 4 cherry,
AS they glide along in the sleigh.
The house wives are glad for cool weather
And hurry to finish their work,
But they all have more TO do. whether
They do II all quickly or shirk-
The ice gets frozen and covered.
And the snow gets packed and stiff,
But from Il the sleds are severed,
And then to the hill goes a skiff.
The children play on until the night fan.
And then 90 their homes they all run,
As they hear the sound Of their mothers
call,
When the hilltop covers the sun
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

that his only assets were his salary as a
member OF the local stock company.
" But you must have something else,
said the prosecuting counsel. Tell the
court what else you have
" That's all
What? No personal property
" oh, yes. a dog and a watch
A" Now. hin hard persisted the coun-
sci, believing that he was on the right
track. What else?'
" 'Well,' suggested the actor, I have a
case OF rheumatism Washington
Herald.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Poor Jack

BY Fred Waller, $40 North Twenty-eighth
Street, Lincoln. Red Side.
There was once a very poor boy, named
Jack. He was a kind-hesrted lad. He was
SO poor. that, in fact. he had hardly
money for matches.
His father died when he was a baby.
This was very unfortunate for Jack and
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Habitat OF the Ball.

7. P. O'Conpor, the witty Irish parlia-
mentarian. discussed at a dinner in New
York the bull.
TIL bull" said he, isn't confined TO
ireland. II was an Englishman, you know
an English judge-Who, being told by a
tramp That he was unmarried, replied;
Well. that's a good thing for your wife
And 1t was a French soldier who. sleep
ing in his tent with a stone jar for q
pillow. replied on being asked II the jar
wasn't hard; oh, no; I've stuffed il, you
see, with hay
And IL was an American politician In
New York who cried the other night from
the tailboard Of a dray: If we remain
silent the people will not hear our heart
rending criest'-New York star.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

half-eagle, the Barnes were most gener-
ously provided for with warm clothing,
fuel and food, and I don't know which
family was the happier. the one upon
which was layishIy showered a whole sea-
sons necessities. or the one which wit
messed the grave. serious minister jump
for surprise and dismay when away at a
Thanksgiving dinner. do you?
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

One Of the friends Of Representative
Martin OF South k was making a
complaint 70 Mr., Martin about
the manner in which committee assign
ments were given in the senate.
a new senator. however. able he may
be- has no chance" said Mr.. Martins
friend. but II he's a thousand years old
he can get the best committee job"
That reminds me. said the south Da-
kota member. "of THAT Seth Bullock re-
marked 70 ms when / took him over 70
the senate one time. After looking them
over Seth said: Gee, Martin! That looks
Ike a soldiers home in there Rochester
Herald.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
The Dog Santa Claus.

By Emma Bressman, 1881 Emmett Street.
Omaha, Neb. Red Side.
A long time ago there lived in New York
a poor family. They had two children
and a dog. The children had to so around
and gather things to eat and wear by beg
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Selections from the Story Teller's Pack

couldn't have lost that ticket. 1t was four
feet long"
"Vass iss7 Wy you dalk like dose?' de-
manded Hans excitedly. wy, once I lose
dat tdrum. 1 could loose a teeket II loose
acknowledgements Star.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

The badgering lawyer frequently sue
eeeds only In affording the witness an oP
portunity 10 display his own wit al the
counseTs expense said Fred S. Wise. a
lawyer OF Philadelphia
An actor Wa before the poor debtors
court IN a western city. when be testified
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
Altar Flowers.

BY Cecilia Shea Aged IL Years, SS15 L
Street, South Omaha. Red Side.
Once upon a time there was a little girl
who loved God very much. She had a small
altar in her room, close to her bed. on
Xmas morning before going TO church she
would make it look pretty to show her love
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

MNMMWM wv -
D arrested about twice a week
for eonviviaiity. He was always hailed be-
fore Magistrate Blank. and as the mag
istrate was about 90. too, a queer kind OF
comradeship. almost friendly. arose be-
tween the two men.
In the late autumn the topper was called
away from Denver. He did not return till
Christmas time. The eonviviAl Christmas
spirit In the crisp Denver air was, OF
course, 300 much for him, and the day
after his return he was hailed before the
usual magistrate on the usual charge.
The magistrate In the green festoOned
court room. felt kindly and forEiying.
" Well. George he sGid to the prisoner.
you are here again. at lastr
Yes. your honor said ola George
humbE.
= You've been away some time hAveu't
your
Yes. your honor. nlsh On to three
months
And how mAAy times. George. did you
set drunk during Tie periOdr
IT don't like % say. your honor old
George fAltsred. before all these here peo-
Pile
o Wen said the magistrate. take paper
and pencil and write n down
so George wrote. n the paper was
PASSED up TO the magistrate, who looked Al
and said
A. well. It's the Christmas season; and
slice you were away three montha George.
and only got drunk sixteen umes, IN lea
you off,
ThAAk yOa iaaSA' sAA " o.aEsA a
Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
COuIdA't spare Any.

What the baby crying aboutg" asked
the fashionable mother
For a cake ms'am," replied the nurse
girl.
We'll, give her a cake. for gracious sake
and stop her noiserf
Blu there Isn't any cake IN the house.
ma'am. VIII I give her one OF Whiskers'
dog cakesT'
Goodness, no! There are only five Of
them left for dear little Whlskers!"-
YOnkeTs Statesman