davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
WHAT'S THE MOST FUN?
RIGNoR NYGARD,
741 Capp Street, San Francisco. Agas-
sir School. Fifth Grade. Age Ii
Years

I once visited a large farm in New
ark near Eden station. There were
two girls and four boys. One day the
farmer made sled for us. One OF the
boys had a horse which the farmer
gave him. The two girls and 1 asked
him if he would let us have the aorse
to pull the sled. The boy was very
kind and said: why. certainly" You
can not imagine how happy we felt.
In the evening the boy and the girls
and 1 hitched the, horse to the sled
and off we went with merry hearts.
singing as happily as could be. We
went TO the COW barn. At that time
the men were milking the cows. The
farmer. who was the children's father,
laughed to see our sled.
Then we went home about half past
g. as merriIy and as happily as ever 1
think that we VIII never forget that
day.
Don't all you juniors think that that
was worth the title of What's the
Most Fun?'
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
AWARDED A WATCH
STEAMBOATING
GEORGE II. THOMPSON,
Redwood City school, Sixth Grade. J:
kenrs

GEORGE II. THOMPSON,
Redwood City school, Sixth Grade. u
Years
live in Redwood City, about -
miles from san Francisco. We used
20 live out about three miles in the
foothills but my sister got hurt there
and my parents thought they had bet
ter move to town. as il was too lone
some out there Cor just mother and me.
Father was an engineer on the Her
cules. the boat owned by the Dupont
powder company, so we sold Or place
and now live la town. So when vaca-
tion cones 7 go with father on the
beat and / call 1t great fun. The boat
docks along the front and I see all the
shipping 7 was on with father when
the Russian Lena came in and we low
cred boat and We're going over to get
2 good look at her. when the United
States patrol OF the Paul Jones stopped
US. but we were quite close any way
and saw her very well. Then when the
fleet was here tie Hercules made ex-
cursions and I saw the feet fine: bet
that was fun Then it's great sport to
20 steaming. ND the bay past Angel
island, Red rock and the Brothers get
70 Pinole and so Up to the works and
see them make powder. I iust hate TO
go home when Saturday comes.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06

Ii Juniors like to have company
~ and entertain their friends. Now,
for the next writer's contest The
,,1ziC- Call wishes each junior TO
imagine himself q host, and tell how
he VIII entertain his cousin, who is
coming 10 pay him a weeks visit.
II you are a San Francisco junior
imagine that your cousin lives in the
country, away up in the mountains or
on some great prairie or IN an i'm
mense forest, and that this is perhaps
. his first visit TO large city. and then
tell the other Juniors what you viii
take him first 10 see San Francisco
is SO fun Of interest and progress just
now that the San Francisco juniors
viii have an easy task TO tell how
they will entertain their guests.
If. on the other hand, sou i've in
the country. then imagine that your
cousin lives ID The city and knows
nothing about the country, Think Of
al the things you can show him and
how he viii enjoy getting acquainted
with the beautiful country life and be-
ing initiated into the mysteries of all
Your pet occupations and amuse-
ments'
If yOu live IN small town, then let
vcur cousin come from the city or the
country as you prefer. and introduce
him 10 your most valued pursuits. He
viii have a good time. and so will
you.
Begin right now TO have company,
and write your story at once Stories
for publication next Saturday, March
-, must reach the Office Of The Junior
Call not later than Wednesday after
noon, and Tuesday viii be better.
AS in the previous contests, write
your subject on the first line, and on
the next line your name, address and
age. and If you are at school, your
school and grade Write the number
OF words contained IN your story IN
the upper left hand corner OF the
first page. Stories which are not
marked with the number OF words or
are written on both sides Of the paper
will not be used.
This contest is open 10 the juniors
Of California, or elsewhere, who are
between the ages Of 10 and Is years.
Watches viii be awarded to the six
most interesting. best written stories
For the younger juniors the puzzles
particulars Of which are given on the
fourth page. are continued.
Send in your story for the new con
test Immediately. IT must be not
longer than 250 words in length nor
shorter than 100 words
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
AWARDED A WATCH
WHAT is THE MOST FUN
CLARENCE BIRON.
372A Dolores Street. Marshall Primary
school, A Fourth Grade.-Ase
10 Years

Well. that is a very hard question
TO answer With a world so full Of
things that are Just as jolly as can be
it is certainly riddle TO tell which
one I enjoy most like TO play a
great deal like to go into the vacant
lot next door TO US and play with Jack.
the pet dog of the neighborhood. But
the very best of all is when I can get
off into a corner and read. I like TO
get into light corner of the dining
room with my book in my lap, my
knees under me- squatting on the floor.
I have a better time than playing ball
with the boys. l have some books
that read over and over-"Black
Beauty" and beautiful Joe" and some
of Otis, and every time / read them
I seem TO find new friends. Mother
seems to like my reading, too. perhaps
because I don't get so dirty while I'm
doing it. Yes. I'm quite sure-the most
fun is just simply reading.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
GROUP or AT TIE s0SNoPoTITaN ge7ooI

at last law was passed making 1t
obligatory TO maintain two cosmopoli-
tan schools in this city. This law is
now in force.
The main reason for these schools
was that foreign parents wished 20
perpetuate the mother tongue in this
country.
The great poet. Goethe says: He who
knows but one language knows none
The knowledge of another language
helps us 10 understand our own.
Many of our graduates have secured
advanta geous commercial positions on
account of the German or French ac-
quired in this school; that is. pupils
not of German or French families.
Within the last few months The
board of education has taken wise
step in tie Introduction of the Spanish
language into our schools. A school
system should meet the requirements
of its environment
Americans today are not able to COM
pete with European agents in secur-
ing Spanish American trade because
Americans do not know Spanish. Now
more than ever before the opportHni-
ties for business from Mexico and Gem
trail America are very great. and South
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06

America with the completion of the
canal will offer a wide field for Spanish
speaking young men.
We should be ashamed to have this
trade go to Trance and Germany be-
cause Californians are not familiar
with the rudiments of Spanish.
Since our acquisition of the Philip
pines many of our young men have de-
sired to locate there and to establish
themselves commercially.
One who attained distinction in our
volunteer army during the Spanish
American war told me not long since
that a knowledge of Spanish would
have been of the greatest value TO him
in interpreting conversations between
Americans and Filipinos.
In the Adams Cosmopolitan school
an average OF thirty minutes day is
given to each of the three foreign Ian
guages-Freneh, German and Spanish.
The child is allowed the choice of one
1angua ge: he is held responsible for
his work here Just the same as in all
the other branches. He follows the
same course in English subjects as is
required I'm the other public schools of
this city with the advantage of a for
eign language.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
THE SNOWSTORM
ZALENE MARRICOS.
Santa Rosa. 5. r.. District school, Sew
enth Grade. Age III Years

What is most fun to me is a snow
storm One morning two years ago I
woke up to find the earth rnantled in
its most beautiful robes
I quickly dressed. donned my cloak
and mittens and went out to SNOWFALL
whoever came in sight I had plenty
of companions; even mamma came out
to join in the fun.
After breakfast my father hitched
the horse to the wood sled and we
went for sleigh ride The neighbors.
who felt just as gleeful as we, soon
Joined US. And what a battle of snow
ballsl We simply romped and scam
pered until we were all exhausted, and
each of us went home feeling We had
had the most funfof our lives.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06

off to play We played awhile ana
then we went away TO set some 1erfs-
] was trying to get some, and Ter
down. My leg began to bleed. was
frightened. 1 took my handkerchieh
and wiped the blood of After that we
went down Where the lunch was and
ate. We thought we would get some
nuts. One of the girls got up in the
tree and shook some nuts down. We
filled the sack with nuts and started
for home. We saw a tramp and We
were afraid and didn't know what to
do. so we hid He went away and then
we went home happy as could be-
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
A VISIT
ALMA DAVIS.

ALMA DAVIS.
Youatvflie. Oak Knoll School, Sixth
Grade. Age IL Years
like best to go visiting. Once 1
went to one of our neighbors' houses.
a Harold had invited me to come and
play with him. When ! got up there
he saddled and bridled horse for both
of Us. We both rode TO the neighbor-
Ing town on an errand for his mother
When we were on our way back we no.
ticed that his dog was missing. So we
went back to. the town and found him
tied to mans wagon. We united him
and left the rope on the wagon. Then
we went to his home and had our din
ner. After dinner we took a walk up
to one of their hills. We gathered some
wild flowers and ferns. On our way
home we found pigeon with its wing
broken and we took it TO one of Har-
old's pigeon houses and put it with his
pigeons. That evening Harold saddled
one of his horses and he took me home.
The next Saturday he came down TO
our place and stayed all day.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
MY FUN
HELEN SMITH,
2527 Mission Street SAN Francisco.
Agassiz school. A Fifth Grade.
Age IL Years

One day my mother took me 10 the
park. When we got there I saw some
children that wanted to play with me.
1 asked my mother if I could play
with them. Ny mother said that I
could. Mamma gave me nickel and 1
ran off with the little girls and bought
some candy. After that we had a ride
on the donkey, then we had a ride in
a boat on the lake. 1t was getting late
and my mother said. We must go
home" I said ''goodby" to the little
girls and went home. I told my father
what a good time l had with the girls.
want mamma to take me TO the park
again.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
AWARDED A WATCH
WALKING
RACHEL MAY BOLTER
Green Springs school. seventh Grade
Age Ii Years

tErCcn SHTAHkb stnoOts S~-hthAh
Age ii Years
/ live in the country. amid hills,
rocks and trees. and walking is my
greatest pleasure. ] walk many miles
from home, over rocks and hills, cross
ing creeks and small streams, and
climbing hills my greatest pleasure.
a small crowd of boys and girls, in
cluding myself, in summer start out
for a walk 10 climb high mountain; !;
We walk for some distance on level
ground until we reach the hill and stop
for rest; then resume our walk up
the mountain. In spring / pass my
leisure hours by walking TO a small
grove OF oak trees in a nearby forest
TO hear the singing of the birds far and
near, and listen TO the gentle moan
ing of the pine trees and rustic Of the
leaves Of the oaks. One pleasure is
walking just as the sun is setting TO
see the sky all tinged with gold. and
at dusk when the stars are peeping
from the sky and glitter like little
diamonds. Many would rather ride
than walk, but I prefer walking.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
AWARDED A WATCH
WHAT LIKE BEST
ELSIE TOELET.
san siateo Public school, Fifth Grade.
Age 10 Years

odn 1tdteo i-uftic school. EIfth Grade.
Age 10 Years
The thing like best to do is TO go out
into the country 10 cut fruit Last
summer mamma. my two sisters aid
myself went down near San Jose. where
we camped out for three weeks. sleep
ing in a tent
a large apricot tree shaded our stovo
and another one our table. One day. IS
was eating my dinner. a fne, rire
apricot came right down into my plate.
and mamma said: "Hour dessert has
truly come from above"
One afternoon my sister and ] tired
Of cutting fruit so we went 70 see
wlat the wasDs were doing. They did
not come out OF their house TO receive
our visit, so We knocked IN heir door
with green apples, which were IyinS
near. just TO see IL they were there.
They were "here there and every
where in an instant and treated US 50
unkindly we did not go TO bid them
good by when we We're coming away.
was sorry when our vacofion was
over and we had 10 come 10 start to
sdhool but m1mi7a says we win 20
earlier. so we can stay longer thus
coming sumner.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06

did little ironing till it was IL o'clock.
Then l got the vegetables ready to
cook. When they were nearly all
cooked mamma came home. We ate
dinner ar u o'clock. Papa and mamma
said that cooked a very nice dinner
for the first time.
Most every time mamma bakes cakes
or pies I always wait around till she
gives me a little dough to make a little
pie for lunch the next day.
Last summer we had playhouse in
our barn. We had our stove made Of
bricks and white dishes to eat from,
We cooked lots of things and enjoyed
them immensely.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
WHAT l CALL FUN
ETHEL PIERCE,
zt7 seccrd Avenue, san Fr11eiseo- a
Eixkth Grade. Richmond Grammar
school. Age 10 Years

am not a studious girl. who thinks
til e scbool hours are the most fun. Al
though we often have good times AT
scho0f. ! prefer outdoor exercise.
What I consider the most fun on
cold Gay is skating down the bills as
fast as one can. wrapped I'D in warm
n-Ittens and sweater. ON rainy day
j like to sit in window seat. prepped
up with cushions. and read good
book; while on a bright, sunny day
neither care TO skate nor read. but
like TO pisnie out to the beach. park
or preside. IT is great fun to go to
the beach and so in wading and get all
wet This Is what I cali fun
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
WHAT LIKE BEST
EAIzABEPH HOYT,
Birds Landing, seIen0 Ceanty. Fifth
Grade. Age II Years

The things that I Ike best ar tn
ride horseback and to read books
we nave an old, white horse called
Diamond that / ride
When l was 8 years old the roads
were Sc bad that my brother and i had
20 ride hOrsebaeA 20 school Sometimes
my horse would set cranky and would
stand still in the middle OF the road.
ana then he would bolt and go as fast
IS he could Sometimes he wonld
make me cry, I got so provoked at
does not do it any more.
1 have read a great many books I
have read Kirk Munr0e's books i have
also reaG OHVer Optics, and like them.
also I like Miss Alcott's and bsvS
read number OF them twice / trims
thar all the juniers should take the ST,
Nicholas. for II IS a very good magazine
TO cover
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
AWARDED A WATCH
THE PLEASURE IN SCHOOL
LIFE
ALYCE HAYWARD.
Port Costa. Port Costa Grammar
school, Eighth Grade. Age I3


The frst pleasure that I found In
life was in going 10 school. I nave
liked going to school since I had the
privilege of starting. Some children
Go not like the thought Of going TO
school and studying. but I really do
find pleasure in it. As you rise from
a lower TO a higher class the studies
of that period become more interest
ing.
school life does not mean all study
There is almost as much play in it as
there is study. In our school during
the rainy season we have many differ
ent games which We play inside the
school house. while in sumner we play
outside. There is pleasure IN school
life in many ways. I find pleasure in
studying the lessons.
In my mind history is tie most inter-
.esting subject. This last year has been
more interesting 10 me than The past
years. because il is my graduating
year There is fun in remaining after
school for department, because the
teacher has to remain. too.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
GROUP WE5FEET 0ReAEFzsD


with a stick so that it will not take
him long.
Papa has about 50 fine Angora goats
up there too. Every time 1 go up
there papa letsrme feed them. When 1
go to feed them I have to run to get
there before they do. so that I can put
the barley in the trough before they
get there. If 1 don't they will try to
get their heads in the can and eat it all
up so the others can't get any.
Papa viii fill his pockets with barley
and the tame ones will eat out of his
hand. We once had a pet goat whose
mother wouldn't own it, So weSbrought
it home and fed it on bottle. 1t got
such nuisance that we sold it,. That's s
what l like.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
WHAT is THE MOST FUN?
IRWIN ANDERSEN,
Watsonville. Lindiey School, Fifth
Grade. Age 10 Years

What 1 enjoy most is to go to the
mountains. My father owns 165 acres
in the mountains. I have a little fox
terrier whose name is Tige. He likes
to go up there as well as ! do. When
he gets up there he will hunt around
in the woods until he finds rats nest.
The nests are about three feet high
above the ground and have two or
more tunnels under ground. The top of
the nest is made of sticks foot long.
so that the rat can pile them on top of
each other. The dog finds the opening
and scratches away tae earth and digs
into the hole and catches the rat
en- help him to scratch away the dirt
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
Helen #. Mcfarland. Principal Adam
Cosmopolitan School

Helen II. McFarland. Principal Adams
Cosmopolitan School
~ He promotion of the. foreign Ian
guages in the San Francisco pub
lie schools is largely Que to the
untiring energy of Professor Adolph
Herbst For mere than fhirty-six
years principal Of the Adams Cos
mopolitan school, or as it was for
merly called. the South Cosmopolitan,
this scholarly gentleman was forced
through i'll health to retire from active
service, not without great regret on
the part of his former colleagues and
pupils.
Professor Herbst is a graduate of
the University Of Giessen. Although
thoroughly German in IFS instincts and
tastes his pupils were never inferior
in English or in any of the other Ian
guages taught in the school
lie is a langusg ge> enthusiast. At the
time of his appointment in 1871 as
principal of the South Cosmopolitan
school there was great opposition to
the teaching of the foreign languages
in the public schools. and this opposj-
tion continued for several years, when
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
MY DOLLS
RUTH BUsHMAN
RUTH MAN,
5e5 Everett Avenue, PaIo Alto. Lytton
Avenue School, High Fourth
Grade. Age 10 Years

Grade. Age 10 Years
I think the most fun is to play with
dolls. l had a rag doll given me when
1 was years old which 1 named
Peggy. l liked her because I could
always have her with me when l was
out playing, for she would not break.
1 now have nine dolls. L have such a
good time making hats and dresses for
them. | thought l would play barber
one day, and 1 "barbed" one of my
dolls hair; then I tied a big bow on
the left side. L have a friend by the
name of Helen, and when she comes
TO see me we play house and it keeps
US busy getting our children ready to
go calling with us and to parties.
have~a book that is called More About
Live Dolls" Itstells of doll that lost
its legs. The little girls mother put
them on again--tbe heel in front and
the toe in back, so when the doll came
alive she could hardly walk.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
GOING TO THE THEATER
GRACE sERYsAs.
BeRieia. Cal Age 13 Years

Going 70 the theater is the best fun
l have. and making candy also. BENZ
era - very little town. so there Is no
pace 20 go on Sundays. only to the
theater. which has been erected lately
! 40 Ike to see the comical pictures
which they have every day. 1t Changes
three times q week
also Ike 70 make candy and go to
sewing class every SATURDAY on RAINY
DAYS. whea eau net so out I make
candy so as TO keep me busy. some
sirls IKE TO do homework like IL
sometimes. but not often. L suppose ali
girls have theix own fun
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
WHAT LIKE BEST
LIONEL SMITH,
1919 VI street south San FraDcisco.
Bay View school. A Eighth
Grade. Age II Years

I like to be in a room by myself
working out an invention. I do not
like a rough life. II I were working
out an invention, and ii should become
a success. may be it would yield a fine
lot of money Would it be any good
if YOU were out walking around, run
ming and jumping. could you make
money then? Why. no. 1t is the boy
what sets his mind TO work trying to-
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
MY FAVORITE AMUSEMENT

HEI4k4N v tsIE4FIE.I MER,
202 Baker street, san Fraaeisco. Grant
school, seventh Grade. Age 1S Year.
Some girls may like 10 play with
girls. but I do not care for that kind
Of amusement My favorite amusement
is cooking. 1t may seem peculiar for
me 10 say. but though >am fond OF
reading. 1 am never happier than when
around the stove since 1 have gone to
cooking school
Whenever rainy day comes and
am compelled to stay In the house I
enjoy making candy. Though I am
not always successful. am not dis
eouraged yet. I think every young
girl should be able to cook. and it is
always best te begin early.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
STORIES AND PRIZE WINNERS

much that il broke and my kite began
TO fall NV brother chased all around
the almond orchard. but could not ind
it so went into the yard and made
another kite. but 1t would not go up. as
II was not windy enough
The next day when 1 came home from
school I got my kite up, and wnlle
did my work fastened II 10 the fence
then took II down and went out 20
play tag with the boys.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
HORSEBACK RIDING
KATIE MICHEELsEN,
I237 Potrero Avenue. Age IA Years

One day while ] was in the country
another girl and 1 went horseback rid
ing. which was our first time. We rode
"a little distance when a boy came and
gave the. horse a good crack on the
back. which made me very angry.
was on the saddle and the other girl
was in back of the saddle. 1 told the
boy to stop hitting the horse. which the
boy thought was fun, and / laughed so
much that 1 fell off on one side and the
other girl on the other side. while the
horse was jumping and kicking. l hurt
my leg very badly. while the other girl
sprained her wrist. We thought this
great fun.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06

man.
Even If he does try and fails the
first time. keep it up and he'll succeed.
Well. for my part. 1 think that a boy
or man that sets his mind upon some
thing and does it will amount more
to mankind than man that fools
away his time. l think that l would
rather lead a quiet life. reading. in
venting and other things, than hard
life like running. jumping or climb
ing.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
WATER
LEON BYRNE.


so sequel Avenue. santa Cruz. Paro-
ehial school. Fifth Grade. Age
II Years
The<sreatest fun have out OF any
thing in this world is water. This win
ter my pleasure has been surely salts
fed All the spare time I could get I
hied myself to a pond. creek or river. or
any other place. and with my spear I
spent hours getting the few worthless
pieces OF driftwood that would come
down the creek and often I have re-
turned home wet 10 the very skin. but
what fun did I have,
In the summer time. in our beautiful
little city by the sea. 7 enjoy the bath
ing In the grand old ocean. OF the san
Lorenzo river. and many times the
plunge. with its warm salt water.
offers me untold pleasures
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
WHAT / LIKE TO DO BEST
CHRISTINA j. MCKENZIE.
eS3 Fifth street. South Vallejo. Sixth
Grade, Grant School. Age IL Years

l think that cooking and ironing are
the incest things to be done around the
house. l often cook and iron. When I
was smaller / ironed my dolls clothes,
but now I iron my own.
One Saturday morning my mother
went up town and she told me to cook
the dinner and clean up. Mamma left
the house at 10 o'clock. A little while
after she left I cleaned the floor and
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
A PICNIC
L0TTIE BULLIVANT.
Redwood City. Age 10 Years. Rcd
wood City Public school, sixth
Grade

picnic. We took a lunch. When we
got to the place where we were goirg
to eat. we put our lunch down. When
we had put our lunch away we went