davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Marion's Honesty

BY Ethel Cressey, Aged u Years, S6 North
Twentieth Street. Red Side.
Marion Wagner was one Of the poorest
girls throughout the state of Alabama.
Her father was killed by a railroad train
when Marion was 8 years old.
Marion's mother was lying sick in bed
and had not been able to work for three
months, so Marion tried to sell matches,
but no one seemed to look at her.
on day Marion asked a lady to buy
some matches but she answered: mo, 1
have plenty at home The lady was hur-
rying home very fast and not noticing
dropped her pocketbook which contained
ten sdollars. Marion picked It up opened
It and thought, This will help mamma"
but just then she heard a voice say: Take
1t back, take It back"
Marion thought q while and running after
her said: This is your pocketbook; you
dropped it."
The lady thanked Marion for giving 1t
to her.
The next day Marion sat by her mothers
bedside crying, for her mother was worse
than yesterday and Marion looked up sur
prised by the call Of Mail" and getting
an envelope opened it and found the same
pocketbook with the same ten dollar bill
in 1t, that she found yesterday.
Then telling her mother about It she
hurried down in town to get the doctor,
and by Marion's honesty her mother was
cured of her illness.
Moral:-Honesty is the best policy.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
CHonorable Mention.)
Little BOYS and Little Sheep

By Minnie Gottsch, Aged 10 Years, Ben
nington, Neb. Blue Side.
Joe came home with his clothes and
even his curls all wringing wet. Just
knew the ice wasn't strong 'noughI" he
grumbled.
"Then why did you slider" asked auntie.
"'Cause all the other boys did" said
Joe; $50 1 had to or they'd laugh"
His aunt gave him dry clothes, set him
down by the fire and made him drink
hot ginger tea. Then she told him a
story.
when / was a little girl, Joe, my
father had a great flock of sheep. They
were queer things; where one went, all
the rest followed. One day the big ram
found a gap in the fence, and he thought
other field. So in he jumped, without
looking where he was going, and down
he tumbled to the bottom OF an old dry
well where father used to throw stones
and rubbish. The next sheep never
stopped to see what had become OF him,
but jumped right after and the next, and
the next, although father tried to drive
them back, and Watch, the old sheep dog,
barked his very 1oudest. But they just
kept On jumping and jumping till the well
was full. Then father had to pull them
out as best he could. and the sheep at
the bottom of the well were almost
smothered to death"
"Myi what silly fellowst' exclaimed
Joe. Then he looked up at his aun and
laughed.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Tomkins' Adventure

BY Eleanor Mellor, Ex-Queen. aged ID
Years, Malvern, Ia. Blue Side.
Tompkins and his mother and brothers
and sisters lived in the cellar of a large
house. Tompkins was a very bad cat and
always was in mischief, or running away.
T~ompkins' mother was going to have some
company that night so she dressed them
all up nice and clean and told them to go
outdoors and play till the company came.
Tompkins knew ne would have no fun, be-
ing dressed up so clean and nice, so he
sneaked over to Mr.. Browns house about
a block away to catch mice for himself.
Mr.. Brown was very cruel to cats and
dogs, so 1t happened that Tompkins was
one of the animals TO be mistreated that
night. While Tompkins was in the yard
Mr.. Brown saw him and he began throw
ing stones at him.
1t was getting late, so Tompkins thought
he had better go home. He was sore and
sick and very tired and hungry. He could
not find his way home, so he went into
a cold barn and laid down. He dreamed
he was at home, where 1t was nice and
coy. He woke up and started home.
When he got there no one was at home,
so he had to stay alone all morning.
When they came home he told his
mother he was sorry he had disobeyed
her and would not do 1t again.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
How The Pussy Willows Got
Their Gray Balls

BY William Young, 116 North Thirty
First Avenue. Red Side.
There was once some little pussy will
lows that lived in a big forest. They
had lived there for nine years and were
quite tall.
Now you must know that these trees
or pussy willows-we will call them
trees, for this was before they had any
gray balls on, had no fray balls and
BOXED like common trees. 1t happened
one day that a big bulldog was run
ming after a cat. The cat ran up one
tree like a squirrel and cut a hole in
the bark of 1t. Then she jumped into
another tree, and another. until she had
cut the bark of every tree. The sap
came out and made a little ball OF hard
sap. One day a fairy came to see the
trees and, seeing what the cat had done,
she took her wand and hit the hard sap
of each tree slap! slap! slap! The next
day around came the same little fairy
and hit the balls of hard sap again. This
time a little, soft, gray ball came out.
Then they came out all over the trees.
When the trees looked at themselves the
next day and saw the gray balls and the
fairy who stood by laughed and said:
Good morning, pussy willows"
The pussy willows were mad to think
that the cat did it all. But they were
proud TO air that there were no other
trees in all the forest like them
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Disobevin0 Mother
BY Edna Salgren, Aged IL Years, Kearne,
Neb. Blue Side.

BY Edna Salgren, Aged IL Years, Kearney,
Neb. Blue Side.
Mamma" said Helen Sanford, may 1
go to Elsie Blacks and play snowballT"
mo, DEAR said Mrs. Sanford. 1T is too
cold out for a little girl with a cold"
Helen appeared to be satisfied, but she
was not. She waited a while. Mrs. Sam
ford had gone down town, and would not
be back till dark. isn't that just splen-
did" though Helen.
Helen, be a good girl and don't go out
doors or over to Esie's," said her mother.
YES" said Helen, "Pn be good and not
go out" were her last words.
She had told a story, and, oh, how easy
it was to tell a story, too
'Oh, Helen said Elsie, "come out and
play snow ball, it is so much fun
"All right said Helen, ''just wait TIL
1 wrap UP good, then 1 know mamma
won't care said the naughty girl.
Mamma had come home and 1t was dark.
She had brought Helen a new blue silk
dress and had called her a good, Moe girl
because she had not disobeyed.
That night when Helen had gone to bed
and everybody in the house was asleep
but Helen she thought she heard a ghost
say, Naughty girl. naughty GIRL" and
"Ili get you, I'll get you." and she was
80 frightened she did not move for fear she
would be discovered. and she thought TO
herself. III never tell a lie or disobey
mamma again, no, never"
And the next morning she told her
mother Of her sin, and mother didn't scold
or say a word, but her face did. Helen
never disobeyed again.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18

found me one stormy night afloat. He has
kept me as his own ever since"
1t would make my story too long to tell
you II I told all the letters that passed be-
tween the princess and the calendars.
Enough said. that Dixie proved to be the
missing sayuka San. Her parents decided
to take her back to japan with them for
a trip and then bring her to America to
continue her education. They asked Mar
ethe to accompany them as Dixie would
be lonely with so many strangers. The Cal
lendars accompanied them to the ship and
the bystanders were astonlshed to hear a
boy, no other than Jack, shout: Farewell,
Dixie Callendari Long live Princess Sayuka
SAM"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Doing Good

By Rose Brodkey, Aged 10 Years. $40 South
Thirty-fifth Avenue. Red Side.
81 don't know what to do this rainy
day" said Gladys. "Well. take the joke
book" said her mother. Soon afterwards
Gladys was heard laughing. THE sun is
out, may 1 go out, mother7" Yes. dear"
Gladys saw her playmate with red eyes.
Come here, Kate; let me cheer 20 up"
She told Kate some jokes and afterwards
Kate couldn't stop laughing. She kissed
Gladys a thousand times, and whispered,
You have cheered my lonesome heart"
Gladys felt proud and told her mother.
The next day was her birthday. She
thought she wasn't going to have g party.
Her mother told her to clean up because
they were going to a Soon af-
terward were voices, Surprise! Surprised"
Gladys jumped. After she got cooled down
they played games, pulled candy and told
riddles. There was q beautiful birthday cake
with eight candles. On 1t was written will
frosting, For the little girl who found
something to do"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
(Ffrst Prize.)
How Harry Learned His
Grammar

BY verna Kirsehbrsun, Aged y Years, Sill
South Twenty-fourth Street, Omaha.
Blue Side.
81 think it's horrid when you have to be
so particular about the grammar you use,
and 1 don't see what difference 1t makes
If you use amt instead of is not" grum-
across the room.
Dear me-" said a voice, and a little man
seemed to come out from the very leaves
Of the book.
Dear me-" ne repeated, isn't it bad
enough to have ones place taken by a
usurper without being thrown across the
room in such a MANNER"
IT beg your pardon" said Harry, but I
did not know you were in the book
As he spoke more men seemed to come
out of the book.
in the book, and, what's more, I don't
want my place taken by a usurper like
ii over there"
"Well, I'm sure I did not take your
place" said the man Indignantly. II can't
help 1t II 1 am used instead Of You and
Not" and he turned to Harry. '"This
mans name is Is -, he said. and he says
I'm taking his and Not's place. He says
I'm not important, because I'm not put In
Webster's dictionary"
Harry felt that Ain was wrong, but he
could say nothing fcr-he awoke.
II think I understand now about those
words,' he said, land I'm not going to
talk about teacher being particular again"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Mr.. Gray and Mr.. Smith

By William Young, Aged 10 Years. IFS
North T~hirty-F1rst Avenue, Omaha
Blue Side.
There was once a little mouse who lived
In a hole in the cellar of a big house. One
day he went to visit his friend. a mouse
living in the country Now you must know
that his friend was a field mouse and
lived in the ground. when Mr.. Gray (for
that was his name) got to the field mouse's
home the field mouse was out getting din
ner. Soon he came home and said. II am
very glad to see you, Mr.. Gray ''Is din
ner ready yet. Mr.. Smith?' CMr. Smith was
the field mouse's name) After dinner they
took a run in the field. It began to get
dark, so Mr.. Gray said, NJ Smith, I
want you to come over tomorrow and have
dinner with me-" "All right" said Mr..
Smith. The next day Mr.. Smith came to
Mr.. Gray's house. Mr.. Gray was waiting
for him at the cellar door. Mr.. Gray took
him into his house. When II was midnight
Mr.. Smith went out with Mr.. Gray to get
something to eat. Mr.. Gray went into the
pantry after some cheese. Mr.. Smith saw
a mousetrap. He saw the cheese in 1t and
was going to get 1t when Mr.. Gray called
to him from the dining room. where he
was on the table. A fine dinner remained
on the table. After they had eaten all they
wanted they got off the table and were
going home when puss, who was taking a
nap, heard a knife fall. She saw, too, the
two mice going home and. whizi she was
after them like the wind. Mr.. Gray took
the mousetrap for his home and ran in It.
He hit his poor little nose against the
chess and, snap! the trap shut on his
neck. In the meantime Mr.. Smith was
down tne hole and home In a minute.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
The Fairies Ball

BY Helen Verrill. Aged II. Years, the Streh-
low, No. Is, Omaha. Blue side.
1t was a bright moonlight night. The
leaves were ~murmuring softly and the flow
ers were nodding their heads to each other.
They were whispering together about the
fairies ball which was going 10 take place
that very evening.
AS they were whispering soft. sweet mu-
sic came floating through the air and a long
line of fairies came marching along. First
came the queen, with a dress of white pop
pies and a golden buttercup crown on her
fair long hair. AS l said before. she a
long, light, wavy hair and big blue eyes the
color Of the sky and as bright as stars; a
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
The Talking Clock
BY Marguerite johnson, Aged 7 Years, @
North Twenty-fifth Avenue, Omaha
Blue Side.

By Marguerite Johnson, Aged Z Years, 9SS
North Twenty-fifth Avenue, Omaha
Blue Side.
One day, when Bobby Pierce's mother
had gone TO see a sick friend, and nurse
had left the nursery for a few minutes.
Bobby remembered the honey Jar on the
pantry shelf. A naughty thought struck
him, that he must Chamber up on his high
chair and reach that honey. Yes, he must.
AS he ran slyly down the bac stairway.
the old clock seemed to say7 'Go-back. go
back" But Bobby could not resist the
temptation. SO quietly he climbed up the
chair, in the meantime the clock continuing
to say, "Go-back, ~go-back," in the same
solemn manner, and he took down the jar
with trembling hands. After he had eaten
half of the contents. he suddenly began to
feel very Ill. so, putting 1t back in its place,
1t slipped out Of his tiny fingers. Crashi
1t fell to the floor, while the honey landed
on Bobby's hair. Imagine nurses distress
when she beheld Bobby's yellow hair drip
ping with honey. But that was not the
worst. for the child was confined to his
little bed for three whole days. Every
morning he would say, "If 1 would have
only minded that wise old clock"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Grandma Dream
By Marguerite johnson, Aged z Years
933 North Twenty-fifth avenue, Omaha,
Blue Side.

By Marguerite Johnson, Aged z Years,
1888 North Twenty-fifth avenue, Omaha,
Blue Side.
Grandma had just laid her knitting away
neatly, for the day. She sat down by the
glowing fireside, waiting till tea time.
In sprang her grandson. little Philip,
saying, 20, Granny, do tell me about when
you were a little girl"
You want a story, do you? 1t is fifteen
minutes before tea time, so I will tell you
about a dream 1 had that 1 shall never for
get" So she began:
II had been reading a story called the
Garden Behind the Moon" When I went
to my little bed that night. I saw the full
moon shining in through my window. I
was soon fast asleep. This is what I
dreamed:
"A beautiful fairy touched me with her
wand. Instantly I found myself in q gar
den behind the moon, In the midst of a
dozen happy children I was soon playing
with them. They bro ght me to an orch
ard on whose trees peppermints and gum
drops grew. The snow that fell was made
of ice cream
Just as I wes going to take a mouthful
Of the ice cream, / was awakened by the
chimes in the steepie, so my dream will
remain unfinished forever"
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Rastus
By Martha Alden, Aged 0 Years. Elmo. Nc
Blue Side.

By Martha Alden, Aged 0 Years. Elmo, Mo.
Blue Side.
Rastus was a mischievous negro boy. 1t
had been showing real hard all night and
when Rastus awoke in the morning he saw
a large sheet Of snow upon the ground. He
hurried and dressed and went and had his
breakfast and was soon on his way to
school. On the way he met his colored
friends. He snowballed them, but they did
not retort because they had 1t laid up for
Rastus. That night after school when the
children were out OF sight of the school
house they ~snowballed Rastus and threw
him in banks Of snow and that got his
clothes wet. Tina evening when he got
home from school he found his mother not
at home. He took off his old clothes and
put them in the oven 10 dry and got his
good clothes on. When his mother got
home she snslled and saw a great smoke
coming from the oven. So she opened the
oven door and to her surprise she saw
Rastus' clothes burned to a crisp. "Hur-
rah,' thought Rastus, now l will get to
wear my good clothes" But his mother
fooled him. The next morning she put an
old sunbonnet and q mother hubbard on
him and sent him to school, After this he
was known as SNOWFALL. He never snow
balled those boys again.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Step by Step
By Theodore Palm. Aged Is Years, S40i Burt
Street, Omaha. Red Side.

BY Theodore Palm. Aged Is Years, 34m Burt
Street, Omaha. Red Side.
Charley Drake was going fishing, not
for pleasure as most boys usually go for.
but to get fish for the table at home, he
being a poor boy OF but Il years of age,
and having no father, brothers or sisters.
He lived with his poor mother near a rail-
road yard.
It happened that while Charley was walk
ing along the railroad tracks toward the
pond he came to a place where a huge
rock, which was beyond his strength to
move, was lying in the middle Of the track
Charley knew a passenger train was about
due and also that a great many lives were
in danger.
snatching off his coat he removed his
sweater. He then grabbed the sweater and
jumped upon the rock and awaited the APP
preaching train. At once Charley began to
wave the sweater to attract the attention
Of the engineer. The engineers first glance
caught the signal and a second the rock.
He gave a groan. but it was no time for
groaning, and he knew that. He failed TO
stop the train until within a few feet OF
the rock.
speed, had jumped. for he thought the
train would not stop; but It did.
The passengers came pouring from the
coaches 70 learn why such a quick and
short stop had been made. Having learned
the cause, they crowded around Charley.
One passenger went around with his hat
and after having received a small coutribu-
ton gave 1t to the brave little hero. Charley
was never so happy in his life. He banked
everyone and everyone thanked him.
On arriving home he showed IL to his
mother and said. Now we can have some-
thing else besides fish for dinner" Al first
she thought he had stolen It. but he soon
told her the tale.
charely then thought 1t would be a great
thing TO become a railroad man. IT want
70 be a railroad president" said Charley,
'and why can't ~"
His brave act was not forgotten n ne
was soon given a position as errand boy
at the freight yards. From this position he
became a trucker. He worked around the
trains as brakeman. then conductor. and by
jealous work he was made assistant to the
superintendent and so on. step By step.
until finally he became what he wanted 10
be-president OF a large railroad. But Il
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Tottie Has a Party
~ Helena Davts.

began TO gather VI the pies, telling the
guests that they should not be wholly dis
appointed, for there were two big custard
p~ies-baked for the morrow-but which
they. the guests. might have right now.
And then would follow the ice cream and
cake, after which there would be nuts,
raisins and figs.
But while her mamma was talking away
the pies. which had proven so ~dlsappoint-
ing, Tottie rose n said, very delIber-
ately: Mamma. cook did not spoil the
pies with salt: I did It. I was watching
her sweeten the apples that were going
into the pies, and I thought she did not
put In enough sugar. so, after she had got
It all ready, and had turned her back, 1
reached into the cupboard and got a big
handful OF what 1 thought was sugar and
sprinkied II into the fruit. And when cook
came back TO her ~piemaking she stirred
the fruit with a big spoon. getting the salt
an through It. But / didn't know that
got my hand into the salt, mamma, honest.
! thought 1t was sugar" Then, blushing
from her own confession. Tottie sat down
somewhat confused. for her little guests
were snickering at her expense, some whis-
pering, "Oh, the ideay' But mamma only
laughed and said; That proves the old
saying that too many cooks spoil the broth.
This time it was the pie that was spoiled.
But you h not miss having pie. TIL cut
the big custard pies for you, so make
ready for them"
And you may believe they all made ready
for the custard pie, and several Of them
whispered to Tottie that they were glad
she had sailed the apple pies, for the Gus
tard was so much better, for It tasted just
like hot ice cream.
And then the real ice cream came. and
In great, big saucers, too, and with It was
cake, lovely chocolate layer cake! And the
party was a success. after all, even though
tina little hostess had salted the pie.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Second PriEe.)
Princess Sayuka San
BY Ruth Ashley. Aged IA Years, Fairmont,
Neb. Red Side.

BY Ruth Ashley, Aged IA Years, Fairmont,
Neb. Red Side.
''That's right, Dixie, look your sweetest
SAID Marethe Willamy.
That's just h I'm trying to do, Mar"
Dixie is now 1s years old and is attend
ing boarding school in New York. Today a
real Japanese prince and princess are to
visit the school. and that Is the cause for
all the extra ''primpinE."
Dixie ran down stairs after a book for
Marethe, who wal not yet dressed. She
met the prince and princess and Miss
Scratchley in a1s hall. She had hardly
been In the room ten minutes before Jane,
her maid, came in.
Miss Calendar. Miss scratchley wants
to see you"
Dear me, Dick, what nave you been up
to nowf' inquired Mar.
Nothing, my dear" and Dixie ran out.
Miss Dixie, this lie the princess. and she
wishes to ask you some questions" said
Miss Scratchiey.
II hope you will pardon me, Miss CAL
lendar,' said the princess in her queer
broken English, but I imagine you look
like my daughter would II I could see her.
Sixteen years ago my husband and I came
to America, bringing with us our baby,
sayuka San. Our ship ran aground near
Newman's bay, in -. and we seeing no
hope for escape. put cur baby in a box and
set her afloat. Soon, however, a ship
picked us up. Though we searched high
and low no trace Of our darling could be
found. This is my story and 1 hope you
viii forgive me for bothering you" fin
ished the little lady.
My real name is not Calendar" said
Dixie. my father q always call him sol
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Dicks Temptation.
By Rhea Freldell, Aged 10 Years, d
chaafar Nah Rlna EAha

BY Rhea Freldell, Aged 10 Years, Dor
chester, Neb. Blue Side.
Dicks mother had left him In charge of
the baby while she went to town to do
her trading. He had arranged to go skat-
ing with the boys. but he thought 1t would
be better for him to obey his mother, so
he put his skates away and rocked the
baby to sleep. Pretty soon the boys came
by and Carl Smith said 10 Dick. Come
along Dick. The ice is fine and we viii
have a fine time"
But have promised my mother to watIh
the baby until she comes back from town
and baby is asleep upstairs" said Dick.
Never mind the baby. She won't wake
up" said Carl.
Dick hesitated. He remembered his
mothers words to tai good care OF the
baby. Then the picture OF his little sister
asleep in the cradle came before him. mo.
/ cannot 60" he said.
We'll. como on boys. leave him to look
after the baby. the little milksop." said
Carl. and they went off.
In half an hour Dicks mother returned
and told him ne might go skating now.
Dick was not long in getting TO the pond
where the boys were skating. But what
was the trouble? And wny was all that
shouting3 Carl Smith ana Harold Jones
had been skating and the ice had broken
and let them In. Carl Smith was drowned,
while Harold Jones revived. but was III
for four weeks afterwards.
Dick was very thankful he had resisted
the temptation. II he had gone he might
have been drowned with Cad sudth- q,
Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Harry's Visit

BY Permits Lindfield, Aged 10 Years, La
Platte, Neb. Red Side.
Harry sat out under the tree thinking
about the fairies.
How I wish I could go and see the
fairies
Il have come to grant your wish"
"oh. how good you are to me. But
where are your
Here I am Take hold of my hand and
we will go up"
Up they went. far up in the sky. At
last they came TO the mountains.
Els this where you live7'
Eyes. Now look"
Harry looked and the mountains opened.
snow here you are and here's your din
ner. Oh, you dear little boy, you are
the first to find US, and you have como
to live with US"
"Oh, no. I must go home, for my
mother will be looking for me to huddle
in my warm bed"
Oh, stay they all cried.
He stayed over night. Then he got up,
washed and ate his breakfast. Then they
played music for him after dinner and
he awoke at his own home.