davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
BY MARY E. KEATING, Principal
Blue and white, blue and white.
Spring Valley grammar is all right

= ORTY years ago the wanderer
who strayed to the top of Rus
sian hill and took a survey of
the city of San Francisco looked
on a scene so different that it is hard
to be persuaded that but little over a
generation has wrought these changes.
The magnificent bay is the same, but
the bordering shores have changed
from green, sloping LIS to town sites
and the limits of the city have passed
Russian hill westward to the ocean.
Early in the sixties settlers had
followed the road to the Presidio
and acquired land in the warm shell
tered valley west Of Russian hill The
vale was protected from the winds
by the hills that were later called
Pacific heights and the sand dunes
that sextended northwest to the bay.
Potato raising and dairying soon be-
came an important industry in this sec
tion. With commercial Importance it
must have a name What more appro-
pirate than Spring valley, for was not
the little valley dotted with springs
that fed many a clear little creek?
Soon the buyers on the front" were
directed to Spring valley" if they
wanted potatoes or dairy products, and
ulSlTlct OF Sdn FRANCISCO was named
Homes began to increase in number
and a school was opened in Union
street near Franklin, called the Spring
Valley primary.
In a few years the building became
too small for the accommodation of the
children of the district. Although at
this time there were but three or four
houses west of Van Ness avenue, i'm
what was later called the Western ad-
dition.
The board of education erected
large school in Broadway between Polk
and Larkin streets calling it the
Spring Valley grammar school.
One pleasant morning. some time in
the year 1857, Professor Mark, several
teachers and about so pupils marched
from Spring Valley primary school
across lots to the new schoolhouse in
Broadway. How proud and happy all
were. A fine, two story school building
with light, sunny rooms. but-.sbut
where arc the desks?''
The board had not been able to get
all the required furniture. and seftees
and benches had to be used for seats.
Strange. that in the good old times"
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
Athletics csatSprinsValleyG Grammar

back in '67. they did things this way
Teachers who become impatient and
think that modern boards are too slow.
please take note.
In a short time everything was in
order and Spring Valley school began
it's work
For a generation and more it had
been quietly but effectuany preparing
boys and girls for their Iife's work.
The >schoolhouse that was the pride
of '67 became too small, shabby and
out of date. Something better must be
had SO in 1905 the board of education
decided to issue bonds for the erection
OF new school that should be modern
in every way.
The earthquake apd fire of 1906 upset
all these plans and "Old Spring Valley"
went UP in smoke with hundreds of
the homes from which 1t drew its
pupils.
On July %. 1906. the schools re-
opened. Spring Valley grammar sharing
the Sherman primary building Gin early
days the Spring Valley primary in
Union street Half day sessions were
held by each school. and in a short
time 1T became evident that the gram
mar school ought to move.
Ine board of education. realizing
this, built shack of seven rooms and
again Spring Valley grammar school
teachers and pupils. moved to Broad, !,
way and Polk street. back to the old
location" 0i'
Only shack. but home.
The pupils, actuated by the exsmr,1a
of their parents, for three-fourtbs oS
the children are sons and daughters
OF the boys and girls that attended
Spring Valley a Nquarter of a centnrv
ago. began to improve their surround
ings First, all the debris was cleared
away Then the boys. under the al
rection of of the principal, laid a brick
pavement in their yard Boxes were
converted into cabinets, the cIassroon
walls covered with burlap, tea box
mating or paper. few pictures and
mottos were hung. and with the addi-
ton OF piano the shack became
coy, honey place and the pupils Of
spring Valley school realized that thev
We're helping to rehabilitate their citv
Spring Valley school has past. n
has history. Among It's teachers Won
ind Professor Mark. Mr. Flood. pro-
fessor Anderson. James Denman. Silas
White and Joseph OConnor. men who
have done much for the schools of our
city.
1t has been said that the coat does
not make the man., How truly NAV it
be said that the building does not make
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
AWARDED A WATCH
MY CAREER
DOROTHY WILKINSON.
361 Grove Street, San Francisco. CnIi-
fOrnia. Age Is Years

5Sl Grove Street, San Francisco. Cnli-
fOrnia. Age Is Years
When 1 was very little girl, 1
wanted to be a milliner. My dolls had
many hats that were fearfully and
wonderfully made, with all shades of
color on them. They were almost as
striking in construction and marve-
lous in architecture as those of the
present style.
One week a missionary was enter
tanned at our home. listened in
wonder to the stories she told of the
little Chinese children and soon de-
termined to be q missionary | saved
up my Sunday school cards to send to
China, but my enthusiasm soon abated
and was once more without a voca-
ton.
On my seventh birthday friend
gave me a box of paints and 1 began
using all my time in painting pictures
in magazines. One evening my father
said, Why don't you draw something
yourself, Dotty2" and he gave me
pictures Of woman to copy. 1 tried
with good success, and the work in
terested me greatly. Ever since that
time. my ambition has been to become
an artist I have little ability and
am very anxious to take drawing les
sons, but 1 am going to finish my
musical education first.
Plcturing out in the evening some
thing have seen through the day, is
one of my pleasures. / never expect
to be a great artist. but I shall do
my best and perhaps l may, some day.
illustrate the charming stories other
people have written.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
WHAT SHALL | BE?
RAY p. JOHNSON.
S12 Second Avenue, Richmond School.
Age Ia Years

1t is pretty hard to find out what 1
snail be when | am man. But, of
course, | have my ambitions as we'll
as any other boy Perhaps it wouldn't
look bad to have a native son president
seated in the White House. may be the
lucky one or | may be a tramp. You can
never tell. But. of course. | wouldn't
like to be a tramp. for l have many
ambitions. Here are few of them:
| may be a cartoonist, an artist.
writer of stories and nay own illustra-
tor, or magazine editor. Because L
am always interested in drawing and
writing stories. Also 1 might be a
politician, because 1 am as Interested
in politics as in any other study L
might be an attorney at law, perhaps
a judge, because l like to read about
criminal court trials in The Call.
would like to be a manufacturer,
especially a candy maker, because I
like candy. But looki How nice it
would be to be railroad magnate
like Hartman. may be a Hartman
some day. Perhaps I'll be like Calhoun,
but my road won't be run on United
Railroads plan as it is at present.
l would like to be as rich as John d.
Rockefeller, but 1 would rather have
my good health and present head of
hair.
But there is one thing ] would not
like to be and that is a dishonest man.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
AWARDED A WATCH
A CAPTAIN
GEORGE SCILACCI.
Point Reyes Station, Marin County
Cal. Black School, Seventh Grade.
Age Is Years


Age IS Years
I would like to be sea captain. It
would be very nice and pleasant trav-
cling on the deep blue sea, where lie
hidden the treasures of vikings bold
who roamed the sea over obtaining
riches.
1 would be kind and good to the
sailors and mates. I would not make
them work until they were tired out
and sick. When they were down
hearted or sick l would cheer them up
and tell them of mothers and perhaps
children so near and dear
One thing that my sailors would
have to be careful about is their Ian
guage. 1 would allow them liquor
frequently, but to no great extent, as
1t WeakeDs the system and makes them
unable TO do their work properly
In case of a wreck boats would be
lowered as soon as possible. The rich
in a case like this, would be treated
the same as the poor. The passengers
would be let down first l would be
the last one to leave the vessel, for it
is the captains duty to save the people
even if 1T costs his own life.
In case the passengers got sick the
best of care would be taken of them.
They would have the most nourish-
ing and strengthening food to be had
would also have some one to take
care of them during the night.
/ would readily give up my life to
save some victims that would be worse
off than /. Often 1 would return to
my dear home in California. .
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
KARA STIRLING WHITCHER,
Castroviiie School, Fourth Grade. Ag'
10 Years

When | am grown / intend to be a
school teacher. not of a high school,
IKE my big sister, but of the baby room.
Tor l love the little ones very much and
wish them to start out right in their
Younger school days, so as TO help them
in later times
have read the story of Jean Mitch
Ell school, and think she was the love-
nest teacher and wish to be like her.
gentle, good and kind, so that the chill
Gren Will love me and love to learn.
nave mad one teacher that | think made
that book her model. Her pupils liked
TO study and please her. ] have great
deal to learn yet, but | intend to be
good teacher
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
AWARDED A WATCH
MY HEARTS DESIRE
noRnTHY NASH.
DOROTHY NASH.
1852 Sacramento street. San Francisco.
A Seventh Grade. Richmond Gram
mar school Age IL Years


mar school Age IL Years
Although I am child of ?, my wish
2 this age is TO be a designer or art
ist.
II viii take me year and a half
to complete my studies in the gram
mar school and then I expect to so to
the polytechnic high school TO take
up art Some Of the best newspaper
illustrators are graduates of the poly
technic high school.
I have a good hand for drawing and
designing. Ny reason for taking up
art is because I believe I have the
talent. I wish to learn modelling and
wood carving in my high school life,
too
may be 2 lady architect. I have
a dollhouse Of six rooms and bath and
furniture, all of which L made myself.
i constructed the house out of q large
dry goods box and made the furniture
Of cracker boxes. 7 have made 10 doll
houses for my little friends. In the
latest houses / have improved on them
by putting in sink and Washtubs
with little faucets, which 1 whitfield
out Of wood 7 have also made some
Srandfa ther hall clocks with pendu-
lums. / made an automobile for my
doll 10 ride in and used some skate
wheels TO make il roll. OF course, it
does not 20 along by itself, so 1 pull
1t by a string. I could write much
more about my dollhouse to interest
the Juniors, but 1 haven't got the
space.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
WHAT I'm GOING TO BE
WHEN Pm A MAN
EDMOND PALMER.
I00 Third Street. PetaIuma. st. Vincent
Academy, Seventh Grade. Age
IL Years

When I'm a man I'm going to be a
dairyman. [ like it best. because
think there's more fun in it than in
anything else. And | like horses and
cattle.
Every vacation l go out to my
uncle's ranch on the San Antonio creek
and have lots of fun.
am going to have a nice ranch of
about 500 acres, and am going to keep
about 100 cows and have nice horses,
pigs and chickens
l used to live in the country, but
moved to town about five years ago.
like the ranches around the San
Antonio creek the best of all-the
ranches in my part of Sonoma county,
but of course l do not intend to do
the work, but will have several men,
and if milking machines are in use
then / shall have a few of them.
1t requires work to keep dairy
ranch looking well. and 1 intend to
have a first class ranch when I'm a
man, and If The Call is printed then
shall take The Daily Call
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
WHAT | WILL BE WHEN
AM GROWN UP
LIONEL SMITH.

1913 South NJ Street. Bay View School,
Eighth Grade. Age IL Years
l think when my school days are
over and I am grown up I will take
fancy to carving and engraving.
When went to manual training school
l took delight in carving and en-
craving flowers, ETC., on pieces of
wood, as on Spanish cedar and many
other pieces of expensive wood In
my business / expect to do my share
Of work and do it honestly. 1 do not
think l will work at this job all the
time. 1 hope when my vacation comes
that I will have an abundance of gold
and can go travelling through the great
countries of Africa, Australia and
Europe.
/ hope to be a carver who cuts
things out of wood and puts them on
fancy doors and buildings. If / make
money enough I will try to travel and
see my relatives far away.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
MY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
HELENE e. HOFFMAN,,
EAU Frederick Street, san Francisco.
Age 10 Years

AS long as 1 can remember / have
been particularly fond of writing
stories. So that is what 1 am going
to be when l grow up, an authoress.
one reason is because | delight in
spinning tales of the golden land of
nowhere. Then / think that no other
sphere is SO large, so full of possi-
bll1ties for doing good, for spreading
a good influence abroad over all the
face of the earth. 1t penetrates to
the most distant lands, wherever the
English language can be read. 1t
opens wide range of usefulness and
II l can only succeed and bring my
dream true 1 will be very happy and
contented
OF course, to succeed and be the
right kind. and not one of the trashy
writer's so numerous nowadays, means
great deal of work, but with such
a goal I will not finch because it
requires little time and trouble, but
| VIII persevere and exert myself to
the utmost and live in hopes that some
day my name will appear beside those
of some of our greatest novelists, and
my dearest wish for the golden future
will be fulfilled.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
MY EXPECTATION OF THE
FUTURE
KATIE LORDEN.
Sv2S Army Street. San Francisco. James
Lick Grammar school. A Seventh
Grade. Ace IL Years

When my school days are over 1 ex-
pect TO become an expert school teacher.
After | have graduated from the high
scnool l will go to the state normal
school, where l will study TO be a
teacher. When I pass the examination
Tor teacher | would like to be ap-
pointed as one.
When L am a teacher I will expect
excellent conduct and lessons from the
pupils. | will treat all the children
alike and explain all the work as plain
iy as possible. / guess / will have to
work Just as hard as any other school
teacher, but hope not. If 1 am fortu-
nate enough to have all the children do
as | tell them Will not have to work
SO hard. Some people think teaching
school is all sunshine, but if they were
TO become teachers themselves they
would find 1t very different. / hope
VIII spend pleasant life as a teacher
and If SO 1 will be very happy.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17

besides the military training. It
teaches good behavior, and West
Point man Will never lie He may
retuse 10 answer queries, but he will
never tell an untruth. One thing more:
west Point pays $50 month, which
is pure courtesy. Most institutions
charge for instruction
a graduate from West Point can
start right in as a second lieutenant
with salary of SIPS a month. A
graduate from this academy is re-
spected as gentleman. This is my
Ger.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17

in black and white, and the birds Of
the air without rival, seems to be a
dream
In nature nothing is more pleasing
and interesting than hidden treasures
that uncover and burst forth upon the
life, beauty and happiness than sthe
human being does. Natures glory and
pure self seems best to me-rather
than trimming hats with natures
proud and beautiful and unreplaceable
birds that grace the trees and make
the world happy and cheerful instead
of gloomy and lonely.
In painting with palette and brush
many glowing colors can be obtained
as well as happy, sad, weary or
gloomy faces; people, animals and won
ders can be obtained. Pen and ink can
bring forth full expression in fewer
strokes and more simple n1anner-give
me pen and ink every time.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
CARPENTER
p. MORETTINI,
santa Cruz, Cal. ParochfaI School,
Fifth Grade. Age 10 Years

santa Cruz, Cal. ParochfaI School,
Fifth Grade. Age 10 Years
l would like to be a carpenter, be-
cause when I get big | will build
houses in old and new STYLES and, be-
sides, when my mother wants a new
house / viii build it for her. and If my
nelghbors want new houses | will build
them | will not make them pay so
much as all the other carpenters will
make my neighbors pay, and when /
bu1ld house for families 1 will make
them pay reasonable prices. not too
much or too little. Then when I get
old | will quit it and live peacefully
all the rest of my life, like George
Washington, the first president of our
country, the United States. When he
had served two terms he rested in his
beautiful house at Mount Vernon. So
Will l do when l am old and quit my
carpenter job.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
AWARDED A WATCH
MY THOUGHT OF MY GOLDEN
FUTURE
VERENA RUEGG,
Corner oliver. near Brunswick street,
City. ParOchfaI school. Sixth Grade.
Age IA Years


City. ParOchiaI school. Sixth Grade.
Age ii Years
am yet a young school girl. Many
z time I have sat under our large
fruit trees in early spring watching the
green leaves peer out through their
winter hiding place
Oh, how fresh they looked, Just s
II they were preparing for their future,
TO DO their share Of work in bearing
good fruit
These simple trees that were made
for man put that thought into my
mind that I too, should spring open
fresh and prepare for the future and
bear good fruit and my thoughts did
not rest until I decided what thought
would make me happy
There are so many things that stand
before you that it is difficult TO choose.
To be a book agent of any kind
is no convenient position. because she
must be very talka tive, in good health,
that she may not be tired out the first
few blocks she walks, and always
ready TO meet disappointments ami to
have the door shut before it is barely
opened and have the answer Nothing
today"
But out OF all choosing that stands
before me, I have chosen TO go through
the good educating that a nurse may
need. And then when I am prepared,
I shall go II called TO assist the dying
and wounded on the field of battle and
to tell them that they can yet prepare
themselves for a brighter future than
the first one, a heavenly and an eternal
one.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
MY OCCUPATION IN LIFE
FRANCIS McQUAIDE.
255 First Avenue, San Francisco. Rich
mOnd school, Fifth A Grade
Age n Yeara

What / wish to be when I grow up
Is a historian. I always enjoy the
study of history in the classroom. espe-
cially that pertaining to the reVOlu-
tionary war.
My favorite historian is EggIeston,
who has written many interesting
facts.
1t takes many years for a person to
is spent in reading the works of pre-
vious authors. taking notes and trav-
cling A historian Is not allowed the
privilege authors of fiction are allowed
the right to put down things OF their
imagination.
AS there are not many historians in
the United States L would like to be-
come a famous one.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
wHATsI AM GOING TO DO
ANNIE MCDONALD,
Birds Landing. Willow Spring School,
Fifth Grade. Age 10 Years

L am going TO be an author. I shall
write books about animals, horses in
particular l shall also write about
bad boys and girls
1 shall live on a ranch, of course;
it won't be very big.
half a dozen or more cats cows, calves
and chickens. l will have several
nice driving horses and two saddle
horses broken only to ride. and sew
eral others that will ride. should
choose to ride them.
Out of eight cows 1 shall milk four
all the time
/ shall have a separate barn for the
cows and horses because I don't like
the cows and horses in the same barn.
The chickens shall be brown leg
horns and l am going TO lock them up
every night
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
WHAT | AM GOING TO BE
WHEN GROW UP
FRANCES RYLEY,
220 Santa Ynez Avenue, san Mateo.
San Mateo Grammar School. Fifth
Grade. Aun YAars

I am but a little girl now, only II
years old, but soon / will be IL. When
/ grow up TO be young lady 1 am
going to be a teacher.
/ have taken music lessons for six
years. / am now in the high fifth
grade of the San Mateo grammar
school When L graduate from high
school L am going to Stanford for one
year, then to normal and then teach
By that time / will have graduated in
music Then / will take vocal lessons
If / can not get Il position right away
am going to work hard My mamma
wants me to be a music teacher but
l like school better. After l teach
school a while and get enough money
1 have saved quite little money, and
teaching school for a few years would
bring me enough to go, 1 think In
seven more years / will be through
high school, and begin to teach when
/ am about %.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
A MILLINER
EDERNA SALACCI,
Point Reyes station, Marin CO., Cal.
Sixth Grade, Black School. Age
Years


When I am big 1 am going to be a
milliner a great many milliners have
good taste and trim hats very nicely
Others have no taste al ALL
| made my littlest doll, which is
about inches high, a basin hat. |
Will describe how 1 made it so If any
of the other junior girls want to make
one. l got a little basket which was
about II inches around, and broke the
handle off. / then got piece of
changeable silk, and wove it in and
out the basket (Which was made of
straw. l puffed the changeable silk
out in front.
Next l got one yard of white ribbon
and made four little bows and sewed
them all around the hat. / placed one
on the piece of silk that was puffed
out in front. Then 1 made rosette
out of maline and placed it on the side.
Mamma gave me a little hatpin, and
then l had basin hat for my doll.
When / am a milliner, my hats shall
always be of the latest style, and [
never will be out of fashion with my
hats.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
AWARDED A WATCH
MY AMBITION
HILMER OEHLMANN.
1903 Paru Street. Alameda. California.
Haight School, B Eighth Grade.
Age IL Years

Most all boys at some time or other
have had the ambition to become a
soldier and win fame in upholding the
honor Of their country. I had that am
bition myself, but soon lost it when
we moved right near post of infan-
try soldiers. Most of the privates there
were ignorant, Incorporate men, who
were too lazy to earn a better living.
Soon after we moved TO this place.
became acquainted with several
young officers and learned of their
duties, and which officers were liked
best by the men, I also learned about
the great military academy Of West
Point. I was a little disappointed
when I heard that only two students
are enrolled at West Point from each
state IN year. but 1 thought that if
others passed the examinations, I could
do the same.
Several advantages that West Point
has over other institutions are: West
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
WHAT / INTEND TO BE WHEN
| AM GROWN UP
VERA HIGBEE.

Lompoc, California. Fifth Grade Lom-
poe Grammar school. Age II Years
Ny chief pastimes are sewing. max
ing dolls hats and reading. l think
/ would rather be a dress maker and a
milliner than an elocutionist 7 think
when l get old enough l will go to San
Francisco and rent q nice big room on
Market street and have first class
millinery store. where I can sell fine
hats from Paris to all the rich and
stylish ladies OF San Francisco.
| would also have dress making par
lors with models from Worth and Red
fern.
1 hope my customers will always be
satisfied. l will always try hard to
please them in price and quality OF
goods.
The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17

The sunshine and fresh air will make
them healthy and strong.
There will be many nurses and doc
tors to take care of these children
and make them happy and cheerful.
If this is successful / will advertise
it in The Call, so please look for me
in the future.