davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Winslow mail., 1910-01-15

Henry B.-You ask If the same
trousers that were worn last summer
will be much worn this year. Not il
YOU We're careful of them last wear.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27

The turkey said:
"Chop off my head! You black ras-
cal, give me that ak and 1 will hit
you one just for luck"
The turkey grabbed the AK from the
boy and gave him a hard knock on
the head which broke the ak handle,
because we all know that negro's
head is very hard.
When the ak handle broke, the negro
boy began to cry and said, Now my
mammy's goin' to box my ears cause
de ak is broke"
He went into the house to his mother
with the broken ak and said, See
heah, ma, what de turkey did to de
AK
This made the negro woman very
angry, and she said, "Rastus, what
did yo' let de turkey have de AK for?"
He hung his head with shame and
said, ma, de turkey grabbed de AK
and | didn't try to get it away from
him.
Mrs. Graham was a poor woman and
didn't have another ak, and didn't have
money to buy one, so she had to send
Rastus over to Mrs. Hollands, their
neighbor, to borrow an AK, so he could
kill the turkey.
When he got back with the AK he
said, ma, shall I go and kin de
turkey?"
But his mother said, "lVo yo' can't;
yo' done broke one ak handle; l won't
let yo' try it again."
Mrs. Graham went out to kill the
turkey, but he had mysteriously disap-
peared, which made her feel very badly
because she was going to have some
of her friends to dinner. Then she
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
SQUIRRELS HAVE A PARTY

Dear Aunt Laurie:
One squirrel family had worked es-
pecially hard all fall, gathering nuts
and food for the winter, and also for
another purpose. They were going to
give a Thanksgiving party to all their
squirrel friends. There were a great
many, and they would need quantities
of nuts for their feast.
Just a few days before Thanksgiving
the mother and father squirrel went
out to give the invitations. They had
written them on leaves which had been
colored beautiful reds, greens and yell
lows by the skill of Autumn. These
invitations read:
Come to the nut party among the
trees, near Mr.. Gray Squirrels home"
All the squirrels who received them
were happy and went about chattering
to their neighbors. Many of them had
never been to a party before and did
not know what it was like.
Thanksgiving afternoon at the time
set for the party they were all there
promptly and ready to stay as long as
the party lasted. The nuts were in big
heaps on the dry leaves which were
the dishes.
Several SQUIRRELS grouped around each
pile and begansto crack the nuts with
their sharp little teeth, and such
noise and chatter as there was!
Every one had all he wanted, ana
when they were through they formed
large ring and played games, ana What
fun they had! When it grew dark ana
the Younger ones got tired they went
home, after a happy Thanksgiving.
KATHERINE MILLERD,
2S2S Theresa street, Long Beach; l..
b. H. S., grade 10. II. j. c. No. Z.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27

told Hortense to go to bed early so as
to make tomorrow come quickly.
The next morning when she woke up
she found her mother dressed to go.
She was told to hurry and dress, then
to eat her breakfast, because she want
ed to get an early start.
HNortense got up, dressed and ate her
breakfast, and when they were ready to
start they heard some one drive up in
front of their house, and when they
went to the door they found that the
people had sent a sleigh after them
They got into the sleigh and had
nice ride, and when they arrived the
people were waiting for them.
other poor people had been invited
too, and all of them had lovely time.
The children played together while
the older folks sat and talked
They had a fine dinner and went
home happy.
Don't you think it was kind of those
people to invite them? With love.
NANCY BLABON,
1888 East Forty-fifth street, Vernon
avenue school, grade 5.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27

Springs village is six miles from the
station and 101 miles from Los Angeles.
The first Thanksgiving l spent in
California was at this little place. My
parents and two brothers and L had
been at Palm Springs but very short
time when we were invited to have
Thanksgiving dinner with DR.. and Mrs.
Murray, who were pioneers of Palm
Springs and whose neighbors we were
for eight months. DR.. Murray had an
orange grove, and his oranges always
were ripe in time for Thanksgiving.
We had a lovely dinner. There was
turkey, potatoes, squash, cranberry jel-
ly, raisins. nuts and oranges.
After dinner 1 had ride on the dear
little donkey that my father got for
my brothers and me, and really he was
just the dearest little thing that you
ever saw. His name was Jack, and he
had gray coat, and was very fond of
eating.
He had lots of funny tricks and was
as gentle as kitten. Your niece,
ELVA LIGHTCAP,
1119 Brent avenue, South Pasadena;
FL Cenrto school, grade 4; age II.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27

pretty picture as they all sat In a
circle around the fire with the emil
dren playing on the floor. Mrs. Brad
ford. the governors wife, and Priscilla
were among them. In the corner IN
crib was Helena's baby.
Suddenly there was a cry and Helena
went to the crib and picked up fat
baby that laughed and cooed as she
sat it down with the other children.
Helena's eyes held a soft light as she
said to Mrs. Bradford, "I am so thank
full for my baby: if it were not for her
1 do not know how 1 would pass away
the time when my husband is gone"
1--WE are thankful for ours. too" sald
Priscilla.
so are we for the bountiful crops"
said several husbands.
"I think we're all thankful for some
thing" said Governor Bradford. so
why should we not set aside day to
thank God?"
II am of the same opinion" said
Miles Standish
ME thankful me know paleface,'
spoke up Squanto.
So it was decided to set aside day
and call it Thanksgiving day. And
Helena smiled as she made some
pumpkin pies for the great feast.
MADELINE EVANS.
Venice Cal
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
EACH CHILD HAS TINY PIE

Dear Aunt Laurie:
About $50 years after the pilgrims
landed there lived in Europe very
rich family. These people were very
proud because they were descendants
Of William Bradford, one of the pill
grims.
They had had feast nearly every
year, but the year that l am telling
about they had one more elaborate
than ever before. They had three chill
dren, whom they sent to the country
to gather green twigs and wild flowers
with which to decorate.
Oh, what fun gathering the green
twigs of the evergreen trees and the
wild flowers!
Then, too, there was the fun of deco
rating the rooms.
At last the great day came. 1t found
the turkey in the oven and the pumpkin
pies baking, and all sorts of other
goodies prepared for the least.
And oh, what fun the boys and girls
had playing games! And just think,
they even had table all to themselves
at dinner time and each one had little
pie.
At half past three the guests de-
parted. IRENE WATRY,
Santa Ana; Third street school, sixth
grade.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
GIVE POOR PEOPLE A FEAST

Dear Aunt Laurie:
Hortense was so very happy because
tomorrow would be Thanksgiving and
they were invited to the country for a
Thanksgiving dinner.
Hortense lived with her mother. Her
father had died when she was years
old and her mother had to earn the liv-
ing for Hortense and herself.
They we're very poor.
Mrs. Bunch, for that was Hortense's
mothers name, was getting their
clothes ready for the next day. She
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
PERSONAL CHATS WITH
THE HERALD JUNIORS
Dear Aunt Laurie:

Lear Aunt lIebuAIO'
Perhaps you think 1 have forgotten
you but indeed / haven't. Since school
commenced / have been so busy with
NV studies as we'll as other things that
it seemed as though l just couldh
find time to write.
| thank you for my last honorable
mention, though L did wait so long
before telling you so. am sehuOhs
you another limerick this time.
With love from your niece.
ESTHER TAYLOR.
I missed your letters, Esther, and L
am so glad to hear from you again.
Dear Aunt Laurie;
l have not written for the Herald
Junior for long time, but it has been
impossible for me to get the paper as
1 live so far out from town. l enclose
a limerick this week and hope to send
many more. Your niece,
OLGA FOYLE.
627 First National Bank Long Beach,
Cal.
/ am sorry you have not been able
to get the paper and 1 have missed
your letters.
Dear Aunt Laurie:
We have been taking the Herald for
some time and enjoy reading the Her
aid Junior very much. l would like
very much to become one of your
nieces. 1 am sending you a story OIL
an eastern Thanksgiving, Aunt Laurie,
as you are from the east as L am. L
know you know all about such fun as
sleighing, building snowmen and such
things. AGATHA CALLAHAN.
1850 Alta avenue, Los Angeles. Ho-
bart boulevard school, AS grade. Age
13 years.
Yes, I do know all about those joys,
and whenever one of my nieces or
nephews has had the fun, too, it makes
me so happy.
Dear Aunt Laurie:
1 would be pleased to be counted as
one of your many nieces. 1 enjoy read
ing the Herald Junior very much, and
am especially interested in the linn
ericks So, as my first experience in
rhyming, 1 will send in the two linn
erieks together. which are to be pub
lished November Grand December 4.
GLADYS DETWILER.
1908 East Eighth street. Ninth street
school. grade AT Age Is years.
1 will be so glad to have you for one
of my nieces. 1 know you will enjoy
the work.
Dear Aunt Laurie:
1 am sorry that 1 have not written
lately but have not had time. l will
try to write more often.
am sending a story entitled
Thanksgiving and a limerick which
I hope will be printed.
LOIS NUTTING.
1 am glad to hear from you again,
Lois, your letters are always so well
come.
Dear Aunt Laurie:
/ want to thank you for your nice
answer to my letter and to tell you
that 1 would indeed like subscription
to The Herald. I hope you have not
sent the book already, but 1 was un-
able to write sooner. Will it be neces-
sary for me to come and see you?
1 am enclosig two limericks and an
unfinished story. hope to send a
drawing if find time to make it. Your
very loving niece,
MARGARET BENNETT.
1 am so sorry to tell you, Margaret.
that the circulation department has
taken away that privilege, and so I
have sent you one of the emblem pins.
1 would like so much to have you call.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
HISTORY BECOMES A ROMANCE

Dear Aunt Laurie:
One day many years ago there sat
twelve women in little Mrs. Van Ness
shining kitchen. 1t was in Novem-
ber and the logs on the fireplace
cracked playfully as they shone
through the window on the white
snow and on Helena's golden hair
Everyone called Mrs. Van Ness Helena
because she was so young.
The women all wore dainty caps and
aprons and they certainly did make a
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
LETTERS TO AUNT LAURIE
FROM NEPHEWS AND NIECES
Continued from Page ThreeI

made me feel proud and gobbled and
strutted around.
Then he put his band in his pocket
and 1 thought he was going to give
me some corn, but instead he handed
my master some money. l thought
then 1 was going to go away, so
gobbled a good by to my relatives ana
friends of the barhyard.
JOHN CARLETON PADMFORD.
am sorry that 1 could not use all
this story, but it is written on both
sides of the paper
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
FATHERS REFORM BRINGS JOY

Dear Aunt Laurie:
Nellie, who was a poor child, was
not as happy as most children are
near Thanksgiving time. Her home
was cheerless because she had no
bright fire to help light up the room,
no mother, brothers or sisters. All
she had was her dear grandma, who
was sickly. Her father came home in
toxicated, and, as most people are un-
der that condition, ne was very cruel.
1t was the night before Thanksgiv-
ing, and the snow was falling very
fast, when Mr.. Patterson came home,
and, finding no supper awaiting him,
started throwing things around the
room, then turned to Nellie and sald:
why is there no supper ready for
me?"
why papa" answered Nellie, chow
could / get supper without any stove
to cook it on or any victuals to cook?"
THAT will be enough from you," he
said you know the consequences"
And before she had time to answer he
aimed to strike her. Knowing 1t would
do no good to stay there, she took her
grandmas arm and left the house AS
they walked along, glancing into win
dows and seeing so many happy
families preparing for Thanksgiving, 1t
brought tears 20 her eyes, for she was
so unhappy and hungry she could
ndf0IY take dHOlIlcT SlSps
The snow was falling faster and the
lonely couple wandered on. Nellie be-
gan to walk slower, she staggered, then
fell. Her grandma became so startled
she didn't know which way to turn,
but, acting wisely, cried for help. The
people in the nearest house heard her
scream and ran to their assistance.
They took her into the house and
placed her by the fire.
-. .la.. n,,ar To-. fro N m
ing around her pillow, the roses all
out of her cheeks, while her blue eyes
were closed as if never to open
She lay unconscious for some time,
but after hard work was finally re-
vived. The first thing she said was
Papa"
Everyone wondered who and where
he was. So her grandma told them
all that happened. The first suggestion
was to go after him, so they did.
When he arrived he glanced toward
the bed where she lay with her arms
outstretched toward him. That was
enough. Going over to her, he put his
arms around her and moaned as If his
heart would break. Everyone turned
away. To see a drunkard crying was
a pitiful thing.
Mr.. Patterson swore then that he
would never drink nor smoke again,
so wrapping his darling up he took her
and her grandma home.
Later he bought furniture and other
household necessities with which to
make them happy.
The day after her adventure Nellie
went to her father and said:
Papa, this certainly is the best
Thanksgiving / have ever had, and
can never thank you enough for it,"
For an answer he put his arms
around her and kissed her.
VERA PEA-tDON.
1921 Temple street. Graduate from
grammar school.
This story is very beautiful, but un-
fortunately is much too long. Be sure,
Vera, to make your stories in this con-
oO0 xrordc or IaSc In length
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27

called: 'Rastus! Rastus! Yo' come
right heah. I'll teach yo' not to watch
. at turkey" NELLIE Boldly.
Lordsburg, Cal. La Verne public
school, grade 8-Age 15
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
THE TURKEY DISAPPEARS

Dear Aunt Laurie:
One Thanksgiving morning little
negro boy went out to kill the turkey
for the Thanksgiving dinner. He
walked up to the turkey and said:
please, may chop off yo' head?"
Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27
HAVE EARLY ORANGES

Dear Aunt Laurie:
1t was just two years ago last Octo-
ber that we left our home in Canada
to come to California, and in November
we settled in a place called Palm
Springs, which is in the desert. Palm
Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27

However. the higher circles of officialdom
by means dependent upon the public
service for their telephone facilities. they
have a very ingenious system OF their own. IL
is secret network of wires, and, very natural
ly, 1t. is centered in the White House. Pri-
marily. this confidential telephone web consists
OF special private telephone wire leading
from the White House to each of the nine de-
partments Of the government The main pur-
pose of this is to enable the chief magistrate
to at any moment consult with any Of his nine
cabinet officers without any danger of caves
dropping, but OF course. should the president
desire to communicate confdentially by phone
with any subordinate in any of the depart
ments. 1t is simple matter to summon such
individual to the secret phone. rather than to
have him communicate with the White House
via the regular telephone channels.
Equally important as arteries Of quick COM
munication. are the two special telephone
wires leading from the White House to the
United States capitol. One of these lines leads
into the great exchange at the big whtedomed
building. and through this central the presi-
dent can get connection with the private office
OF any senator or representative, with the
cloak rooms or other rendezvous of the law.
makers. The other line from the White House
to tho capitol is strictly secret line. Not
only does II not lead into the exchange at the
capitol, but the terminal is not accessible to
any person save with the presidents sanction.
III Is saie TO say that tnere are men who have
been In congress for years. who do not know
of the existence of this secret line to the
White House. much less know the location OF
Its terminal. However. the line serves most
important purpose. for It enables the president
to at any time, confer with the vice.president
or with any senator or representatve-for in.
stance. the administration spokesman or floor
leader-in absolute security as to the confiden.
tial character of the verbal exchanges. Not
even "hello girl can overhear what is said.
In number of connected telephones, and In
point of the average number OF calls handled
Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27

using the long distance telephone, and the
structure is sound proof in the highest degree.
In general appearance the presidents new
telephone booth conforms very closely to the
usual type of booth found In hotels. railroad
stations and business houses all over the coun-
try. To be sure. the oak wood OF which 1t is
constructed has been specially selected for its
beautiful grain and the plate glass In the door
and windows is unusually heavy. but in gen.
eral appearance the booth conforms closely to
prevailing standards. The distinctive charac-
teristics is the roominess of the interior. Not
only Will the booth accommodate satisfactor-
lily SO big a man President Taft, but there Is
ample space for stenographer to sand beside
the presidents chair inside the booth In case
the executive should desire to have a memo
randa taken down in shorthand as he received
1t over the telephone. There are also facilities
whereby II desired. this booth in warm
weather. be connected with the novel air cool
ing system which has been installed in the
new White House Offices for the purpose of
making them habitable to weighty president
during the dog days
Through the medium of this telephone clear.
Ing housc-with an operator duty night
and day-the president has the entire official
world at his ear. First of all, 1t serves as the
central OF the White House private telephone
system. This system has IS inside stations"
as they are known In technical jargon-that is,
1t controls n dozen and half different tele.
phones distributed about the presidential man.
sion. the White House Offices and the grounds
and thereby linking the business offices, the
living quarters. the kitchens, laundry. stable
and garage etc. etc. not forgetting the head.
quarters of the police froco OF 80 men that
guard the white House. and the members Of
which may be needed at some point quickly. to
control a crowd or remove a crank. Via the
presidents private exchange his phone or any
of the other IS may be quickly connected to
any Of the thousands Of 'phones--eficial and
on-ofhcial-embraced in the public telephone
system OF the city OF Washington
Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27
VIEW OF SELE-SACRLFICE

question which frequently arises in So
cial relations is to what extent should one sac.
rfice ones self to oblge ones friends More
than half the social pleasures entail a sacri.
nee on somebody's part. Money has to be
spared that can i'll be afforded people whom
one doesn't like have to be met and health
has to be disregarded in order to keep an en-.
gagement.
The life of the average woman seems to de.
mand of each successive day Just a little more
OF her time and consequently OF his vitality,
and when she adds to her own burdens those
OF other people. by filling in place at the
last moment. or by doing any one Of the null
titudinous other little things that oblige So
cially, she is on the road to destruction and
had better learn to say mo" before she has
to go to sanatorium. Every social leader
has on her list some of these tried and true
mortals whom she can coax into working over.
time For this reason her dinners are never
clouded by a vacant place; her entertainments
are always success. But the woman upon
whom she leans pays for 1t all, even though
she has her good time.
Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27

daily. the greatest private telephone e1-
changes in the world are those at the
United States capitol, and in the most
extensive government departments at
Washington, as, for instance, the war
and navy departments, and the depart
ment Of agriculture. Such an exchange
covers hundreds of phones. and there
is might service" which enables COM
munication with all the more impor-
tant officials at their homes. The
equipment of the more notable of these
governmental exchanges is perfection
itself. The switchboards, for instance.
are of the Illuminated type. That is,
instead of the receipt Of each call being
marked by the fall of small metal tab
something that may easily be over
looked by hello girl'-the summons
for central to make a connection Is
given by the illumination of small
electric lamp-something that cannot
readily escape notice. The switchboard
of this type provides, of course, one
Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27

ations however, one has come to have such
dependency placed upon 1t by the national gov
ernment has the telephone. Certain 1t is
that there would be occasion for universal sur
prise were 1t possible to compile statistics that
would show what proportion Of the government
business is now transacted by telephone
Every federal official. from the president to
the most subordinate Of the nations public
servants, has a telephone on his desk. and con-
siderations OF time saving and monetary econ
omy, to say nothing of the conveniences impel
the almost universal employment of the I'm
Simultaneous" communicative system. 1t has.
to great extent. displaced the mails and tele-
graph Washington. our national capital, is
famous as the best teephoned city in the
world" and II Is likewise known far and wide
as the "City of Magnificent Distances"-two
circumstances which combine to influence
heavy dependency upon the telephone by the
10000 federal employees at Uncle Sans head
quarters. More than this. however. the execu-
tive branch of the government is coming to
rely more and more upon the telephone for the
transaction OF Official business between the
seat Of government and federal Offices In 9TH
cities. Aside from this extension OF long
distance telephone operations. Uncle Sam,
thoroughly abreast the times is now conduct
ing practical experiments with wireless tele-
phony.
Perhaps the most convincing evidence that
could be offered Of the degree Of dependency
which Uncle Sam now places on the telephone
is to be found In the attention paid to the In
stallation OF telephone facilities In the new
$4,000 office building recently completed for
the use Of President Taft and his business
staff. Ever since the Spanish.A American war
the telephone room at the executive Offices has
been considered one OF the most important
features of this model business establishment
but the equipment OF the reconstructed White
House annex is infinitely superior to the tele
phone facilities in the old structure. and is. In
deed probably the finest and most complete to
be found In America-that is the most notable
that has been provided In any private resi-
dence or corporate business office, or else
where than in the up-to.date telephone ex
changes In our largest cities
The new telephone room at the White House
adjoins on one hand the general stan room
the working quarters Of the presidents clerks
and stenographers-and, on the other hand, the
office Of tae secretary to the president. just