davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
THE DAY WE SPENT IN THE
WOODS.

We arose early in the morning and
ate our breakfast, then packed our din
ner and got ready to spend the day In
the woods gathering nuts and autumn
leaves, and to have a general good
time.
About o'clock the carry-all drove
up, loaded with several of our friends
with their dinner baskets.
OF course l hurried out and got in
and off we went, all laughing and hav-
ing a good time. After about an hour
we reached the woods and soon they
were ringing with peals of laughter
and happy voices.
The trees were laden with nuts and
after they had been beaten off the
trees they were picked up from among
the leaves. which ratified like paper as
we walked through them. They were
loaded into the carry-all, and we found
we had several bushels of nuts.
Now the whole crowd began to think
about our dinner. The big baskets
were carried to nice level place and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
Wbat the Olo
Oaf1 Does is
always Right

Once upon time there lived an old
coup1e-a peasant and his wife. Small
as was their property, there was one
article among it that they could do
without horse, which made living
out Of the grass it found by the side
of the highroad. The old peasant rode
into the town on this horse; and often
his neighbors borrowed it Of him and
rendered the old couple some service
in return for the loan Of it. At last
they thought it would be best to sell
the horse, or exchange 1t for some,
thing that might be more useful to
them. But what might this something
be?
You'll know that best, old man,
said the wife. 'It is fair today, SO ride
into town and get rid of the horse
for money, or make a good exchange;
whichever you do will be right to me
Ride Off to the fair"
She fastened his neckkerchief fol-
him, for she could do that better thar
he could Then she brushed his hal
round and round with the palm of hel
hand, and gave him a kiss. And he
rode away upon the horse that was
to be sold or to be bartered for some
thing else. Yes, the old man knew
what he was about.
The sun shone hotly down, and no
cloud was to be seen in the sky. In
road was very dusty, for many people
who were all bound for the fair, wer
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
BEAUTIFUL FALL DAYS.

This fall the days have been very
beautiful. I have enjoyed myself very
much. My greatest pleasure is going
to school. where can be with all my
little playmates and have good time
with them 1t is very pleasant study
ing, for the weather has been so pleas,
ant out of doors that every one is
happy in the house. also like to
come home and get my evening work
done and then, what time have left.
play around with my two brothers. I
like to have some of my little school
mates come and stay over night with
me, and then go to school with me the
next morning, for we always have
such nice time together. l also like
go go home with them which, do very
often and always enjoy myself.
On Sunday morning like to go to
Sunday school and church. which do
nearly every Sabbath day.
Hildred Warder,
r. F. D. No. 1, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13

circle of the wagons and placed the
horses on the inside of the circle. The
women and children stayed in the
wagons. This was all the means of
defense that they had except their
guns. The Indians rode straight to-
ward them yelling like demons. The
men shot into them and wounded two
or three. This made the Indians very
angry and they shot volley of arrows
among the men, some striking the
horses and some wounding the men.
One old warrior discovered woman
in one of the wagons and Drained her
with his tomahawk The men kept
shooting among the Indians until
there were eight Of them killed or
wounded. The rest caught,a boy out
of one of the wagons and galloped
away with him to their camp. The
campers cared for their wounded, and,
surprising the Indians had murdered
the boy, they mourned him as dead.
In few days they travelled on and ar
rived at their destination. The boy
remained with the Indians for several
years. He took part in their sports
and could shoot a bow and arrow as
good as an Indian. He was always
planning how he could escape and join
his parents again. The Indians al
ways trusted him to do as he liked
about the camp. One day he went out
hunting and made his escape. He knew
where his people intended to go and
after many hardships he succeeded in
reaching the place. The training he
received among the Indians helped
him in this long and perilous journey
He made inquiries of the people and
finally located his parents. Although
he had changed very much his moth
er recognized him. He had always
had a small scar on his arm and wher
his mother discovered this she weep
/, for joy and thanked the Lord for his
safe return.
Zenita Towne, age IA,
i Lilbourne, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
Age 9.
STORY OF A cHll-D's SHOE.

The shoe was made at the factory
and from there it was sent to the
country store.
Ore gloomy day an old woman en-
tered the store and asked to buy a
pair of childs shoes, which tho mer-
chant gave her and she paid him for
them. Then she took them and put
them on the little boys feet. The
boys name was Henry. One winter
day he went down to the pasture aft
er the COW when he saw a rabbit. He
tried to catch 1t but could not and
his shoe became unlaced and he lost
| his shoe in the thick grass.
| One day In the summer when Henry
and his father were walking through
the pasture Henry saw the shoe anc
said: Here is the shoe in the grass
pretty nearly rotted away" Then his
father said to be careful about it mex
time.
GLADDEN. Archer, age 10,
TrOy Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
= sToRlEs-LETTEns !.
WHEN MAMMA WAS A LITTLE
GIRL.

My mother was born in little vii
age called Appla Lincolnshire, Eng
land
She had to go to school when she
was three years old. Everyone had to.
They learned to sew, read and other
things. The only plaything that NAM
ma had was wooden doll, which her
father made her. While was in Eng
land I saw the place where mamma
was raised and the school house where
she went to school.
Mamma met some of her old school
mates and they were delighted to see
her, especially one old blind gentle,
man. When mamma went to see him
he could tell her voice and he was SO
years old.
They lived on farm when nam,
ma was young and raised celery, 20
tatoes, onions. lettuce, parsley and
other vegetables. They used to butch
er their own meat and mamma s
mohter used to make all the children's
dresses by hand because there were ne
machines in those days.
Beatrice E. Parkinson,
1876 East Main ST., Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13

I thought I would write to the
Courier Junior. For pets have kit
ten and white rabbit. My kittens
name is Snow Ball and my rabbits
name is Bunny. have one brother
and one sister. Ny sisters name is
Mabel and my brothers name is
Ernest. Mabel is one year old and
Ernest is IL years old. I go to Fair
view school. There are twenty schol-
airs. My teachers name is Miss
Laurena Crone. She is from South
Ottumwa l like her very we'll. go
to church every Sunday.
Earl Mullenix, age 9,
R. F. D. No. 8, Ottumwa. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13

got in, and the peasant got In; away
they went, and soon they stopped be-
fore the peasants hut.
Good evening, old woman
Good evening, old man."
i've made the exchange"
Eyes, you understand what you're
about" said the woman.
And she embraced him, and paid
no attention to the stranger guests,
nor did she notice the sack.
II got COW in exchange for the
horse" said he.
Heaven be thanked" said she.
what glorious milk we shall now
have, and butter and cheese on the
table! That was a most capital ex-
change!"
Eyes, but changed the cow for a
sheep"
"Ah, that's better still" cried the
wife, "You always think of every.
thing; we have just enough for a
sheep. Ewes milk and cheese, and
wollen jackets and stockings; the COW
cannot give these, and her hairs come
off How can you think Of everything 81
"But gave away the sheep for q
goose"
Then this year we shall really have
roast goose to eat, my dear old man
You are always thinking Of something
to give me pleasure. How charming
that is! We can let the goose walk
about with string to her leg, and
she'll grow fatter still before we roast
her"
but 1 gave away the goose for q
fowl" said the man.
ga fowl! That was a good ex
change" replied the woman. "The
fowl will lay eggs and hatch them
and we shall have chickens. We shall
have whole poultry yard! oh, that's
just what was wishing for"
Eyes, but l exchanged the fowl TO
4 a sack of shriveled apples.
4 "What!-I must positively kiss 20,
for that" exclaimed the wife. IN.
dear, good husband! Now I'll tell yo'
something. Do you know, you had hard
ly left me this morning, before begal
thinking how I could give you some
thing nice this evening. I thought
would be pancakes with savory herbs
I had eggs, and bacon, too, but want
ed herbs. So went over to the schoo
, masters-they have herbs there.
|
know-but the schoolmistress is
mean woman, though she looks sweet
, tLend!' she answered me; nothing a
all grows in our garden, not even
J shriveled apple. could not lend 70
Z a shriveled apple, my dear woman
But now can lend her ten, or a Who'll
} sackful That I'm very glad of; tina
/ makes me laugh" And with that sh
, gave him sounding kiss.
3 Il like that" exclaimed both tn
!, Englishmen together. always goin
! downhill, and always merry; that
!, worth the money"
So they paid hundredweight {
gold to the peasant, who was M
3 scolded, but kissed.
3 I heard this story when | was
r child; and now you have heard j
Y too, and know that what the old ma
|. does is always right
0 Hans Christian Anderson.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13

Dear Editor.
This is my first letter to the Courier
Junior. 1 am a little girl eleven years
old. go to school nearly every day
For studies have fourth reader, artthI
metic. language. history, geography
and spelling. I like my studies very
much. My teachers name is Mauds
Crane She Is q good teacher havs
to miss on Friday to take my music
lesson. have taken eighteen music
lessons. I haYe fifty-s six post cards
have three brothers and no sisters
Their names are Howard. Walter ana
Henry. Howard is IL years old, Waiter
is and Henry is II months old. Foi
my playmates, their names are Grace
billiard and Esther billiard. There ara
80 scholars going to our school now
There were So started the first Of Sep-
tember but they quit coming. Our
school will be out in about nine OF ten
more weeks. We have had seven
months of school.
Hattie E. Smith,
Givin. Iowa.
Age II
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
A SHOE TOLD THE STORY.

There was a lady left with two
small children, a boy and girl. She
could not get work enough to support
them and they were just about to
starve. So she was forced to give up
one of them. They lived in one small
ROOM She loved them both so dearly
she did not know which one to let go,
so finally one day she took the little
girl who was the youngest, and took
off one of her shoes to keep.
She. put her in q large hand basket
and put wrap around her and took
her and left her on the norch of q
wealthy man. The servant heard bell
ring and went to the door. To his sur
prise he found this baby in the basket,
He took it to his master and she was
such a sweet little child they took her
and kept her.
| The mother worried so over her child
and all she had left was the one shoe
! she took off and would kiss the shoe
She finally grew so weak she died with
the shoe in her hand and the priest
came to her while she was dying. Hf
| took the little boy with him and rails
ed him and the priest always kept the
shoe.
The boy and girl had grown to be
young lady and gentleman and the
priest had sent the boy to college. H
came home to visit the priest and one
day as he went out there came
horse running away with a young lad!
| in the buggy. He jumped out ant
caught the horse and saved the girl
| life. Her parents were so overjoyet
when they heard about the young MAJ
saving her life. The youn~ man callet
at the home and they finally fell il
love and were to be married and tn
foster parents wanted to let the youn
man know about the young lady no
being their own daughter. so the
brought out the basket, shoe and shaw
that she had on when found at tn
door. The priest had seen the shoe an
said he had the mate to it. So the DO
found out his sister by the means Q
the shoe, and they did not get marie
but the boy returned to school an
studied to be priest.
l have a little slipper that was tn
first shoe my mama had. It is
years old. A little low shoe with
large buckle on the toes. The slipper
OF tan color MY r,randma kept it an
: gave it to my mama.
Forest Weber,
? Ottumwa. Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
WHAT l LIKE TO DO THESE BEAU.
TIFUL FALL DAYS.

These beautiful fall days like to
work out of doors. We have a big
yard and large maple trees all around
it, and We raked the leaves off Of it
the beautiful days Of this week as we
were having vacation this week.
like to go to school. The name of my
school is Round Grove. My teachers
name is Mabel Real. like her very
much. l walk one mile and a half to
school There are ten in the school
l go too. go to church every Sunday.
1t is nice. We live about two miles
from church.
Clara Burnaugh,
r. F. d. No. /, Pulaski, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
"THE CAPTURE OF A BOY BY THE
INDIANS"

Many years ago there was family
living in Illinois by the name Of Per
kins. They heard such grand stories
told of the west that they sold their
farm and started for the west to make
that their future home. They Travelled
in a covered wagon across the plains.
There were several families accom-
panied them on their journey. They
iourneyed for several weeks without
the Indians disturbing them. One
evening as they were preparing to
camp for the night they were Mortified
to discover ten or twelve warriors rid
ing toward them The men formed a
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
cARoLlNE's eRANDMA's CHAIR.

Dear Editor
I thought would write about grand
mas chair. They used to make them
out Of oas or hickory. For the rockers
they would cut the trees down and
saw the. wood into planks. They were
dressed or planed; then they would cut
the rockers out The rockers those
days were more straight than they
are now. They would peel the rough
bark off and take the other bark for
the seat. They used oak or hickory
for the arms. The back of the chair
is made of hickory I have one OF
my great grandmother's chairs in the
house now. l will close for this time.
Yours truly.
Caroline Tout, age 9,
425 Ottumwa ST.
Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13

which looked grand. My sisters Irene
and Lois and myself looked for
steamer but did not see any. While
crossing we met team and passed
several people walking on the bridge.
We got to Bushnell about 4:So
o'clock in the evening and got up
town just in time to see the parade OF
the prize winners of the horse show,
which is held there every year. Some
of the horses were beauties and won
nice prizes. In the evening we went UP
to the band concert and had good
time. We saw some of the girls we
were acquainted with. We stayed In
Bushnell about three weeks and all
most every evening we were there we
played out of doors raking leaves and
having bon-fires until about o'clock.
We had lots Of fun and We're sorry
when the time came for us to say
good bye.
On our way home we stopped at
Brighton where we used to live and
visited few days with our old friends
and neighbors.
Mary Sutherland,
Eldon, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
THE SOUVENIR cADRs.

You all know that we give the Jun
iors a souvenir postal album when
they have twenty-five cards from the
Junior. We will not use the letters
when the Juniors simply acknowledge
the postals. We always want nice lit
tie stories when the Juniors do not
want to write letters. II you all dc
not want to select your own subjects
or to write a nice letter
you all may write on one of the follow
ing subjects:
PERSIMMONS.
GRAPE FRUIT.
BANANAS.
FIGS.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
THE KING OF THE POULTRY
YARD.

The king of the poultry yard is the
turkey gobbler He is queer looking
fowl He he's a long nose. MY cousin
has a white turkey. There are three
different kinds of turkeys. They are
white, bronze and the black turkeys.
The people like turkey on Thanksgiv-
ing day and on Christmas. Well, as
my letter is getting long, will close.
/ go to school every day. My teachers
name is Miss Lucy Paden.
Yours respectfully,
Aurelia Mccormick, age 9,
Box 6,
Trumbull, Neb.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
THE JIe-sAWs.

We have sent out a number of Jig
Saws lately. We hope the Juniors will
like them. This contest also closes
Tuesday, Nov. 16, and in order to give
the .tardies" another chance. we will
print the rules again.
To get a Jig-Saw puzzle you all
must write short stories (not more
than 200 words) on one of the follow
ing subjects:
STORY OF A cHILD'S SHOE.
WHAT l LIKE TO DO THESE
BEAUTIFUL DAYS.
GRANDMOTHER'S CHAIR.
WHEN MAMMA WAS A LITTLE
GIRL.
MAMMALS WEDDING DRESS.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
GRAPES.

Grapes grow in big clusters, which
are very pretty and are blue in color,
They do not grow on trees like apples
or pears, but they grow on vines.
We had many grapes this year and
they are very good to eat raw.
Raisins are made from grapes which
are very good to eat also. They are
made by drying grapes.
We take the Tri-Weekly Courier and
like to read. the stories in the Junior.
Bertha Swanson,
R. F. D. No. /, Box 80, Dudley, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
A NUTTING PARTY.

One day my cousins got horse and
I went out in the woods with them to
gather some hazel nuts. had about
one-half bushef when got home.
/ hulled some of them when got
home and have not got them all hulled
yet,
Hazel Moss went with us.
We went out in the woods good
ways from the rest to get some but we
did not get many because we walked
around and wanted to rest too much.
After we started back where the
others were we found good patch and
we called the others to come over
where we we're. We picked a few
there and then we went and got the
horse and hitched up and went home.
We got home about 2::30. This is my
first letter to the Junior.
Nellie Wilson, age g.
Y@r
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
LACEY WRITES ABOUT HIS
BIRTHDAY.

/ will write about my birthday, the
23rd OF March. was seven years old
and my father was flfty-seven and we
had a nice time.
had to go to school yesterday the
twenty-second. My teachers name IS
Miss Fac Dawson. MY playmates are
Fred Robertson and Wanda Hart.
read in the first reader.
AS nv letter is getting long | VIII
close. We take the Fri-Weel1ly.
Lacey Canny, age Z,
RI. D. No. /, Box &c, Agency, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
LEILA AND HER COUSINS HAVE A
PLEASANT VISIT.
Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:
This is Monday night and thought
I would write letter l was at school
today. like to go to school There
are twenty-five pupils in our school
We had big rain storm. Sunday. 1t
was pretty muddy to walk to school.
This evening we went new way with
two of our school mates, Ruth and
Relva Hedgecock. We saw many nice
things. We crossed deep branch
where the grass was green on the
banks. We saw a hornets nest. 1t
was the first one had even seen.
| have exchanged post cards with
MauGe Skirvin at Ottumwa. have
sixty-five post cards. Twenty:four OF
them are from the Courier Junior. l
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
THE LADY's MISTAKE.

Dear Juniors
/ will write about ''The Lady's Mis-
ia e''
Once Johnny was coming home with
some sweet-fag and 8 carriage drove
UP and stopDed and lady leaned out
and said. What have you there?"
"some sweet-fag; would you like
come? Indeed. used to like it. So
John handed her. some, The lady took
q few stalks and handed the rest back.
"Please keep it all; | can get lots
more" Thank you, thank yon." said
the lady. and the carriage started to
ga and the LADY held out her hand.
John did not know what this meant
| till he saw a cent in the road. Then
The shouted q don't sell sweet
flag" I received a postal from the
| Courier Junior.
Joseph Cummings, age 8,
223 Clarence ST.,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
A cHlLD's SHOE.

This is the first time have written
to the Courier Junior. l am going to
write about the child's shoe.
The child's name was Erma. The
shoe was made at the shoe factory.
The man made the sole and then cut
out the other part and wed it on the
SOLE Then he puts the buttons on and
cuts the button holes. Then he sends
it to the shoe store. Then the man
pays him. Then Erma's papa buys II
and Erma wears it until it is worn out.
Then she throws it in an old barrel and
the barrel sets in the corner for a long
time and the shoe got torn up by the
mice. Then they took the barrel ana
threw it in an old dump pile and the
shoe got old and rotted.
Lloyd Dean,
Hedrick, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
EsTELLA's SECOND LETTER.

Dear Editor:
This is my second Letter to the Jun
Tor. For pets l have two cats. One Is
white and the other is black. go to
the Charter Oak School. My teachers
name is Miss Ada Blanchard l walk
a mile and a half to school. i am in
the fourth grade. / have been absent
one day but have not been tardy. |
am going to have my vacation next
week. My studies are arithmetic, spell
ing. writing. reading, language and
geography.
Estella Mccoy,
Lovina, Cal.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
LEATHER.
Dear Editor

Dear Editor:
What l am going to write about is
leather and it's uses. Leather is made
from the hides of animals. such as
cows, horses, mules. etc. 1t is tanned
and then used for harness, shoes and
gloves and various other things. The
way harness is made is to cut the
leather into strips and rivet them to-
gether. The way shoes are made, they
are cut to shape the feet and then
tackled together. And the way gloves
are made, they are made to fit the
hand and then sewed together This is
all 1 can think about leather and it's
uses.
Roy Campbell,
Route 6, Ottumwa.
Ane IA
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
Age 8.
WHAT IONA LIKES TO DO.

Dear Editor:-
will tell you what like to do these
nice days.
| like to pick up apples. and in the
evening I sometimes haul leaves out
OF the yard. | like to go to Sunday
school and church. like to help
mamma and to play on the organ.
like to go to town when the sun
is shining brightly. but | like to go
to school and Sunday school best Of
all
| like to plcy with my dolls ard to
help my sister wash dishes.
Your Junior Friend,
Iona Genevieve Hancock, age II,
R. F. D. No. 3, Box Ga,
Melrose, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-13
EDITH's FIRST LETTER.

Dear Editor:
will write to you as | have never
written before.
l have cat for pet. Her name is
Lily. l would like to exchange post
cards with all of the Jniors. | go to
school at the Glenwood public school
and in the third room. My teachers
name is Mrs. Nettie Grisham. | like
her very well for teacher and also
for company MY fayorite games are
blackman, ball and whip-cracker. al
SO like music. When school is ou'
am going to take music lessons. MY
friends and school mates are Haze
Hounsom, Bessie Lucas, Ola Baughm
Jennie Moore, Sylvia ERIN and Ora
Davis.
Edith Smith, age 10,
Glenwood, Mo.