davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
Honorable Mention.)
Dorothy and the Midnight
Visitor

BY Myrtle Jensen. Aged Ii Years, 2sO9
lizard Street, Omaha Blue.
'oh, Use so firstly" S-year old
Dorothy, sitting bolt upright in bed.
"Nurseyi Nursey! She doesn't hear me. 1
guess I'll go downstairs and get a dwink
myself"
And down the stairs she battered In her
little bare feet. She ran into the kitchen,
but could not reach the faucet.
Use going in the pantry and get some
milk then" she said aloud.
With some difficulty she succeeded in
getting a small glass of milk, but not be.
fore upsetting a dish of strawberry pre-
serves.
She was half way up the polished stairs
of the front stairway when she heard her
pet kitten SNOWFALL mewing to be let in.
She ran down again, opened the big front
door and talked awhile with SNOWFALL.
SNOWFALL" she said, II am SO tired,
Use dom to wun all the way upstairs and
do wight to bed"
But as she went past the library she
stopped. A faint yellow light was stream
ing into the hall from the library, and
being inquisitive. she quietly stepped
within Two odd looking men were kneeIing
on the velvety carpet examining jewelry,
money and other valuables.
Why" exclaimed Dorothy in surprise,
o men mustn't touch mammals pity
fings! She never let's me touch them"
Mammal Papa!" she screamed, when
she saw the men were attempting to
silence her by tying a handkerchief about
her mouth.
Before the burglars could escape Mr.. and
Mrs. Redmond and a servant were on the
scene. Mrs. Redmond telephoned for the
police while Mr.. Redmond AND the servant
held the burglars.
A reward Of $500 had been offered for
the capture of the thieves. 1t was given
to Dorothy. whose father deposited it in
a downtown bank in her own name, while
Dorothy kept the bank book herself.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
(Ffrst Prize,)
An Unselfish Girl

BY Freda Trustin, Aged u Years, 24l6
Pierce Street, Omaha, Neb. Red.
Hello, Helen" cried several girls as
Helen Field came toward them and Katie
Lewis advanced to meet her and handed
her an envelope, saying: This is an in
vitation to my New Years party and I
hope you can come. All the girls must
dress in fancy costume and we expect to
have great fun" 20, thanks" cried Helen
and her eyes sparkled, for Helen loved
fun and her brain got busy trying to de-
wise something new for her costume.
AS Mr.. Field sat in his library that
evening Helen dashed in and bounced upon
his knee. "Oh, daddy dear" she cried,
I'm invited to a fancy dress New Years
party and I want a new dress. but 1 know
when / tell what it's going to be you will
think me eXtravagant. 1 want n 30 Peep
costume. II must be a light blue silk skirt
with a cream lowered satin over dress,
a big leghorn hat with big silk peoples
and light blue shoes with peoples on them,
and a staff with a big poppy tied on it
Just like the Bo Peep in Aunt Sslie's new
magazine"
Mr.. Field laughed good naturedly when
Helen finished. Well / suppose as long
as you have made up your mind to have
it must let you have it." For there was
nothing which this little girl wanted that
her father would not get for her. She
was all he had and he wanted to make her
as happy. as possible. While Helen and
her father were talking Mrs. Smith, the
housekeeper. came In and said: Ruby
Little, the hired girl, has not been here
today; something must be wrong as her
mother was sick last week"
Il think l will go and see her tomorrow
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
Pearls Dream and a Happy
New Year

By Helen Clark, Aged Q Years, 1913 North
Twenty-third Street, South Omaha,
Neb. Blue.
Once there lived in the country a little
girl whose name was Pearl. Sometimes she
was impudent to her mamma. It was the
last night of the old year. Pearls mamma
was tucking her into her little bed when
she fell asleep. And she dreamed that
she was a mamma to four children and
they were to her as she sometimes was
to her real mamma One day. in Pearls
dream. one Of her children was talking
impudently to her. She scolded him and
then he ran away and never came back
again, SO she lost one of her children.
Pearl had slept all night. 1t was morn
ing and her mamma called to her: "A
happy New Year, Pearl" Pearl thought
a moment OF her dream and thought,
what II my mamma would do to me
as I did to one OF my children in my
dream, and then she called to her mamma
The same to you mamma. I am going
to be a good girl after this; that will be
my happy New Year" Then Pearl told
her mamma her dream and there was not
a happier little girl than Pearl that year
and she never forgot her promises to her
mother.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
A Lesson in Obedience

BY Bessie jackson. Aged II Years 81
South Twcnty-third street, Omaha Red.
'IHelen, Helen!" called mamma, Coma
down here. L have company and 1 want
you to play with the baby for a while.'
ooh. mamma, won't you let mo finish
my new book? 1 have a very little part to
cad"
mo. dear. 1 am sorry. You will have to
read It some other time"
Helen came, but unwillingly, for she did
not like to take care of her baby brother
and then she did not want to stop reading.
for It was an interesting book. She knew
her mothers word was law and she came
downstairs with a frown on her pretty face.
Helen was a pretty girl and having been
told 30 many times she thought that MOTH
ing but prettiness made a good and hon
orable child. She was a spoiled Chi d, not
used to obeying her parents, only did she
obey when she heard her mother calling
her as she did now. She was IL years old
and very big for her age.
One day while she was upstairs her uncle
came and asked her mother whether Helen
could go down for a week or 80 to stay
with his daughter, whose name was Dorothy
Heldman.
Dorothy was sick and had everything her
heart desired, even more han Helen did,
and yet she wasn't spoiled, but very kind
hearted and good to all.
Helen's mother called her downstairs and
told her she was to go with her uncle to
his house to stay a week. Helen was very
and promised her mother to be un-
usually good that week. but that was not
true. 1 am going to tell you about her
conduct that week.
Dorothy's mother was a very kind and
good woman, but was used to being obeyeL
Dorothy obeyed her willingly, but as 1 have
told you that Helen was not used 70 obey
ing. She ordered her aunt around as though
she were a slave. The good woman did
not mind this for some time, but at last
she could not endure It any longer, so she
told her husband. Helen knew there was
something on her aunt's mind and deter
mined to listen at the door Of the sitting
room and hear what her aunt should say.
She carried her plan out and listened at
tentively and heard her aunt talking about
her conduct. She grew very angry and
threw open the door and rushed in, stamp
ing her feet on the floor. Her aunt was
so frightened that she nearly tainted. Her
uncle turned to her and said: MY delr.
what does all this mean?" Then Helen
burst into an angry speech: 81 don't care.
you have been saying things about me and
L won't stand 1t. l don't care, 1 am going
right home and tell my mother about every.
thing"
Her uncle understood where matters stood
and gently said: Come here, Helen
Helen did.
Helen. dear, don't you know 1t is WRONG
that a little girl should order her aunt
about as you have done? am sorry to
say that you are very disobedient In I'll
ways and hope that you are going to learn
a lesson from what I have to say now
He spoke to her till late in the night and
made her see the wrong part in her as well
as the right. He spoke SO long and earn
estly that she started to cry. He babe her
dry her tears.
Saying Good night" she went to bed
declaring she would be better. Don't you
think this was a lesson for herr 1 do.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
Mischief
BY Mary Olivesky, Aged 10 Years. Thirty.
shth ana u Streets, South Omaha
Neb. Blue.

D1 MaIS OllVeSky, Aged 10 Years. THIRTY
sNth ana U Streets, South Omaha
Neb. Blue.
MY sister Kate was always the hast "a
US ALL yet even she was sometimes naugbtv
as you shall find when you've read tbis
.aIe' You must know we all had wonderf1I
crops as the hairdresser used 10 saw
Jaok had yellow curls that hung down on
MS shoulders, and looked lovely; but Kate
was the one who carried the palm. Her
mar was a sort of golde color. tb,ck
ana so long that it hung below her waist
"hen we used to walk in the mark wifi
our nurse people very often stopped to hook
at Hates curls and to say what a Fortune
such glorious hair was. Kate herself was
very proud of It, but oh, dear! It was s,ch.
a trouble. At night, when Jane combeq r.
II was sure to be In horrible tanRles ana
then she would tug and pull and hurt, too
One night when Kate was about 8 vAar.
old she had had moro pain than ,,r1aJ
with 1t, so she secretly made I'D her nina
that she would endure II no longer. So next
morning. when everybody was busy, she
ran into mammals room. found a large pair
OF scissors and cut It off. Now don't yo,
think she was mischievous to do such a
thing as that2
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
Second Prize.)
Alice's Christmas

BY Hulda Lundberg. Aged IA Years; Free
mont, Neb., 3S i Street. Blue.
1t was the day before Christmas and
Alice sat near the window. She could see
the happy boys and girls riding on their
sleds and having a merry time. People
were going in all directions carrying Christ
mas presents.
Alice was a little lame child who could
not run around like other little children.
Her stepmother was very mean to her and
would make her work very hard.
On Christmas eve she was. sent to bed
very early, but not for the reason Of re-
ceiving presents, but because her step
mother was going to a party.
On Christmas morning Alice was sent to
the bakery to get some bread. She had
no coat on, but a thin shawl. Her stock
ings and shoes were torn and she had
no gloves on her hands. The nearest bakery
was a half a mile away. When she ar
rived here the bakery was closed, so she
had to return home again. When she told
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

learn from. I'd love to study II I owned
these books"
Take them home with you child" said
Dame Wisdom. "They are yours. See
there is your name on the fly leaf or each
book, My page knew that you hated your
books simply because you made up your
mind they were dun, so he struggled them
under his coat and brought them here
that you might see them under different
conditions. The school room. the teacher,
you class mates, all should have your
books the dearer, but the idea grew that
to study is a weary task, and the books
cold cruel things, with difficult lessons to
fret the minds OF children. But up here
you have seen how beautiful and intesest-
ing your books really are, for you thought
they were books you could not possess. An.
my lad, take your lear books home with
you, and never forget this lesson learned
on the Mount of WISDOM
AS she spoke Dame Wisdom rose and
withdrew, leaving Harry and the little
page alone. Harry, a bit confused at dis
covering that he had been falling I'm love
with his own old school books, turned to
his companion and said; I have had a
lesson that | shall never forget, and you
know how happy / am. for now ! shall
always see the beauty In my school books
that l once thought horrid and tiresome."
Come, son, have you finished your les
sons?' 1t was Harry's father'H voice, and
Harry reused himself to discover he had
been asleep In his chair. and there on the
floor at his feet lay his books in disorder.
'Oh, Papa, l have had such a funny
dream-but. let me look at my geography.
Yes, it's the very one I had up on Mount
Wisdom, and l shall love to study from 1t
hereafter.T
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
Harry and Old Dame Wisdom
ny Helena Davis.

some most interesting books from which
they may learn their lessons. oh, Dame
Wisdom is a very fine person. Should you
like to pay her a visit this EVENING""
YES, indeed" exclaimed Harry, who
was glad OF an excuse to get away from
those horrid books, especially the great
huge geography, from which he was sup
posed to be studying that very minute.
Yes, indeed, 1 should love to go to the
place you speak Of. But-will I be safe?"
"Ha, ha, ha! That Is a funny question,
and 1 can't help laughing" declared the
little stranger, his merry laugh ringing
through the room. safe in the realm
Of Dame Wisdom? Why. boy. Dame Wis
dom is the best and the greatest power in
existence. It's in the realm of old Witch
Ignorance that you would have cause for
fear. But in going to the realm of Dame
Wisdom we do not pass near to the road
leading to the realm OF old Witch Ignor-
ance. But, come, we must not delay. Are
you going with me?"
Yes. yes" replied Harry eagerly. Shall
We start at once?'
This minute declared the rosy checked
boy. And together they left the room.
And soon they were on the street. which
was almost deserted, for the night was
both dark and cold. and few pedestrians
were about.
Wen take the country road" said the
boy, and he turned into a long, tree bor-
dered lane E7hich led into the country,
through snow covered valleys and over
snow covered hills.
As they went along Harry noticed that
the landscape had changed from its usual
aspect, and the snow was disappearing
and green grass and flowers were coming
into view. And the stars and the brilliant
moon soon came into the sky, shedding
such glorious light on their path.
How pleasant it is becoming" said
Harry, enjoying the beauty of the night
and the coming bSlmy atmosphere, for the
chill winter wind had given place to a
soft, warm breeze. "Why, this seems a
different country altogether. l never saw
this place before"
are In the realm of Dame Wisdom"
explained the boy, land all is pleasant
and joyous in her domain. But, see, there
is the mountain where we'll find the great
and good Dame herself" And the boy
pointed to a gentle stopping mountain which
seemed to rise suddenly on their right.
Harry gasped for the scene was so splen-
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
An Accident

BY Dorothy Birkhaeuser, Sheridan, wvo.
Red.
skating was fine. ALI the boys ana girls
We're skating on the wide river.
There was one very attractive girl wha
was very tall and slender She had blue
eyes and beautiful long hair. Her nams
was Inez.
suddenly a cry was heard and haforS
the cnndren had time to do anything they
saw lnez sink under the ice. There was
one brave boy, who at once tried 10 save
her. He called for the boys 10 bring him
a rail- and when It was brought he took
hold OF it with one hand ana slid quickly
into the water. He reached down with his
other hand Just I'm time to catch the Rtd'u
coat with which he brought her safely to
the surface, The other boys then pulled
MN out Both children caught bad colds
out were the beet OF friends Afterwards
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

books and let you enjoy them for an hour
Let me see what lesson must you nave
first for tomorrow"
my geography lesson said Harry, sit.
ting beside the wonderful Dame and feeling
quite proud to be allowed the honor of
doing so.
"Ah, my lad, fetch US the geography
said the Dame, and the rosy-cheeked boy
whom she addressed quickly brought from
a vined arbor a great, huge geography
which he placed on a stone table in front
of Harry and his strange teacher. Deity
the Dame turned the leaves. stopping at
the lesson about Norther Africa, "Ah. here
We have your lessons for tomorrow" And
she pointed to the pictured page. Then
Harry began reading over the lesson, and,
strange to say. he enjoyed every word ne
read. Oh he cried, isn't this a most
interesting book? How | wish my geography
was like this. Why, 1t isn't hard to study
in this book at all, for it's so fun OF
splendid things. And how / do love 10
learn about that strange lsnd-Africa."
Pretty soon he had leaned his geography
lesson perfectly: then Dame Wisdom took
up another book and opened It. shall We
go over your grammer lesson now, my
child?"
Yes, yes, for if the grammer book is as
Interesting and easy as the geography book
was I shall enjoy it very much. And usually
] hate language l~essons-they are so duh"
So answered our Harry.
But before he hardly knew il, he had
conquered the pronOun and was eager to
go still further. "Oh, how / love these
books OF yours, Dame Wisdom" he eX-
claimed. Il wouldn't mind studying II 1 had
such books as these. They are not common
old school books. that are such a task to
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

There was the lovely 30 Peep dress which
she had planned for exactly like the one
in Aunt Sally's new magazine, with pop
pies and staff and all. How happy she
was. Quickly she put then on one by one
and with staff in IA marched down
to her fathers den. When Mr.. Field
caught sight of the little figure with the
quaint costume and of the shining eyes
how lige her mother she looked and what
a picture she made standing there. The
little figure darted toward him and two
little arms encircled his neck. THANK you,
daddy, o thank you,' was all she could
say. You may be sure hat Helen had a
fine time at the party.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
How ROW Became satisfied

BY Alice Grabbe, Aged 10 Years, Harvard,
Neb. Blue.
well. I'm not at all satisfied with the
Christmas presents I received this year,
mother" said a boy about 10 years old one
afternoon. Roy, which was the boys
name, never was satisfied with anything
he got. Though he ought to be, for he had
everything he wanted or wished for. Now
1t happened one day that Roy went to a
playmate's home where they We're very
poor and the boys mother had 10 take in
washing to get along. Roy was anxious to
know hat this boy had received for
Christmas and was very much surprised to
find him the happiest boy he had seen
yet with only one little thing. 1t was a
ball, yes. a base ball.
And dear me, now happy he was with
that one thing, and it made Roy feel badly
for what he had said to his mother. e And
he never said It again. Do you think he
would?
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

did. And, with his hand in that of his
young companion, he began to make a
rapid ascent.
Here we are Dame Wisdom!" cried the
boy, turning round the side of a massive
boulder and leading Harry to a coy seat
on some moss where a cloaked woman sat.
Harry thought he had never seen so fine
a face-eyes, deep and penetrating, reading
Harry's innermost thoughts. "Ah. little
friend, come sit down." she said, making
room for Harry beside her. $50 you have
come to learn OF me-Dame Wisdom-the
lessons you should learn from your books.
But, child, no one ~head-though it be that
of Dame Wisdom-can hold all the know
ledge of the world; so we must have re-
course to books. Now, l shall unfold my
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

morning" said Helen.
TIL next morning Helen went to the
Little house, where Ruby lived. 1t was
cold and Helen noticed the some of the
window panes were broken. She knocked
at the door and a dreary voice said: "Come
in" She went in and there was Ruby
sitting by the bedside with a tear-streaked
face. What is the natter" asked
Helen. Mother is so sick 1 can't do
anything for her. The doctor said she
needs warmth ard good food and we nave
neither. Mother was too proud to tell any
one and now I'm afraid it's too late"
Just wait a few minutes" Helen went
out of the door and ran alt the way to
her fathers office. She thought hard as
she ran and compared herself to poor
little Ruby, who had nothing.
When she reached her fathers office
she dashed up the stairs and opened the
door. 30 daddy. dear, l have changed my
mind about the fancy dress, but l want
you to use the money in another, better
way, and she told her father about her
visit to Ruby Little and said she: II
want to send them coal and food at once"
Very we'll" said her father, and he
turned to the Telephone and sent a rush
order to be delivered to Mrs. Little at
once.
so you are going to do without that
pretty dress" said Mr. Field to his daugh-
ter. 20, yes, l have a dress that wore
last year; it will do just as WE'LL
New Years morning Helen woke early
and after a hearty breakfast she took her
skates and went down TO the pond. When
she returned all rosy ard smiling her
father said: You had better hurry or
you will be late for the party" Helen
ran up stairs to dress. When something
on her little white bed caught her eye.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

her stcpmothcr this. she was very angry
and sent her to bed.
AS she lay there she wondered why good
old Santa Claus wouldn't bring her pres
ents like he does other children. Soon she
fell asleep and she dreamed what n nice
time her father and mother were having
in heaven, and she prayed that she might
also be with them. BY morning the Angel
of Death" took her to her father and
mother. o how happy she was" When
her stepmother came into the room she
found Alice dead. She then realized how
cruel she had been, but, how ever she
might try, nothing would bring dear Alice
back.
Alice received a Christmas present after
all. A present that will be given to us
all, whether on Christmas or any other
day.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
The Fairy Queen

BY Ruth Hamilton, Aged s Years ma
davenport Street, Omaha. Red.
Ihere once lived a fairy called the Gold
snow FAIRY. She was a very wonderful
rairy' Her playmates were wonderful. too
and the little fairies liked her very much
There was one fairy she liked best OF allf
her name was Gold Star. The fairy queen
was with Gold Star. who said let's go
home, so the fairy queen did. When they
got home the fairy queen said: Where IL
your sister Sunbeam" and Gold star said
"she went to a Brownies" The Browis
has a party, why didn't he invite you?''
81 do not know. I'll see about that" 30
she vanished and the Brownie never forgot
Gold Star again. 4.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
Adventures of a Dime

BY Vada Lambert, Aged s Years, Auburn.
Neb. Blue.
After / was made into a dime l was
given to a man. He took me to a bakery
shop. Then / was given to a clerk for 8
loaf Of bread. ! was put into a cash regis
ter. The next day a lady came into the
shop, 1 was given to her for change. She
put me I'm a purse. II was very dark in
there. but i didn't mind. for there was a
lot Of company. There was a penny and
a nickel and five dollars. a dime and a
quarter. OThe lady gave me to a little
girl. The little girl, on going to a candy
shop, lost me. l was soon found by a
poor. ragged newspaper boy. The boy gave
me to a man in a shop for a box OF break
fast food. l am in a cash register now.
i hope 1 will get out OF it soon.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10
How a Deer Was Saved

BY Albert Kostal, Aged ~ Years, 1916 o
Street, South Omaha. Red.
One day two hunters went out hunting
after deer. They were looking around
through the woods for quite awhile. An
at once they saw a young deer half grown.
They chased It until il could hardly run.
The little deer was SO scared and ran
into a woman's house and went by her
side. The hunters thought they could Kill
the deer because IL was in the house. but
the woman would not let them even touch
the deer.
Tit hunters went home mad because
they did not kill the deer. alter running
so fast after It and getting tired out.
There were some woodcutters cutting wood
nearby and who were laughing at them.
The woodcutteTs never did run after