davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Violet s Happiest Day

BY Marjorie Temple, Aged 8 Years, Lex
ington, Neb. Blue Side.
Violet sat by the window of her beautiful
room. Her dolls were scattered around
her and her bookcase was full of books,
which any child would have delighted in.
But Violet was not happy. She herself did
not know what 1t really was. But she
knew 1t was a longing for something-she
knew not what All OF a sudden she saw
something which attracted her attention,
1t was q poor little girl in rags. She
aroused herself and said, Il believe l Will"
She put on her wraps, picked up her best
French doll and went downstairs. Her
mother met her at the bottom. She ex-
planned what she was doing and went out
on the street and walked toward the little
beggar girl and placed the doll in her
arms.
do not know which was the happiest
of the two. the little beggar girl with the
best doll she had ever touched or the rich
mans daughter with the wish of her
heart fulfilled. Only 1 know that after
that many poor people blessed her. and as
many will to the end of her life.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
A Story About Winter

BY Leo Carlson, Aged s Years, Stroms-
burg, Neb. Red Side.
This winter is very cold and so much
snow It looks like the mountains.
/ go coasting on my sled and It, is so
deadful cold that l cannot stay out long
to play, SO l try to find all my play
things which / have in the house to amuse
myself. These include my talking ma
chine, engine. blocks, air rifle, paper,
books. marbles. waste basket, painting set
and my printing set, and then l practice
on the piano. ] am Just having my Christ
mas vacation. / am longing for school to
begin again. because 1 want to be q bright
and noble boy. Santa Claus was very
good to me this Christmas; he brought me
a waste basket, a printing set, a painting
set, a rocking chair, a pair of house slip
pers and a picture and a book, and several
Christmas cards and a little pocket book,
and lots of candy, nuts, oranges and APP
pies. Yesterday / had company. My
cousins were here and we had lots of funj
we played and made so much noiseS like
all youngsters do when they get together,
that mamma and papa almost got out of
patience with us, ! will close for this time.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Francis Birthday

BY Vada Lambert Aged 3 Years, Auburn,
Neb. Blu Side.
Francis would be 8 years old the next
day, 1t was in the evening and she curled
up in her mammals lap, soon she dropped
off to sleep. When she awoke, she VAS
In her little warm bed. She jumped out
OF bed and ran to the looking glass to
see if she was any taller, for she was 5
years old. IL looked as Is she was just the
same height as yesterday, Frances was
just a little disappointed for she expected
to be a little taller. She dressed herself
and ran down to breakfast. There, by her
little plate were some curious looking
packages. She could hardly wait until
her mamma and papa were seated. She
took off the wrapper of the first package
1t contained a dear little doll with real
brown curly hair and eyelashes; It wore
the sweetest pink dress she had ever seen
in her life in her delight she almost for
got about the other packages.
When they were all opened and she had
finished her breakfast. she took her pres
ents and started for the nursery, but her
mamma said: ''There is enc more present
dearie-" 'Oh, what IT is. What is it?" eX-
claimed Frances 1T is in the east room"
Frances ran to the east room and opened
the door. There sat grandma in a big arm
chair "Oh, grandma, you ara the incest
present Of ALL" Frances exclaimed as she
almost smothered her with kisses.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Violet and Thistle

BY Mabel l.. Datel, Aged II Years, North
Bend, Neb. Red Side.
Two fairies were walking up Rose avenue
In Forston. Their names were Violet and
Thistle.
Thistle would YOU be frightened If a
dog would come near us or by us?" asked
Violet.
mo. ! would not" answered Thistle.
"Are you very sure?' asked Violet.
why, of course l am, and why are you
asking these questions?'
They walked along in silence and soon
came to a fountain.
"Oh, dear me-" cried Thistle, 81 am SO
tired aud he picked out the incest bunch
Of moss to lay on.
II am so thirsty" said Violet. And"
You Just let me have a drink first, -
cried Thistle. taking the drinking cup
from Violet's hands. Just as he said that
they both heard a dreadful noise. and
there stood a dog right by Thistle.
"oh, what in the world cried Thistle.
"A dog" answered Violet
'oh. myl" cried Thistle, and jumped up
and started to run, the dog at his heels.
He ran and ran until they came to a
forest and he ran up a tree, (fairies don't
climb trees, they just go up like cats do),
and the dog sat down and waited for most
an hour and then grew tired and ran off.
In a little while Thistle came down and
went back to where he left Violet, but in
stead Of Violet there was an army of Jack
Frost's soldiers. The captured Thistle.
and now he is a soldier of Jack Frost's.
Violet is queen OF the fairies, for the other
queen was killed n she left her kingdom
TO Violet, her fayorite fairy.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
(First Prize,
The Fairy as a Mortal

By Helen Verrill, Aged 10 Years, No. 10,
The Strehlow, Omaha, Neb. Blue Side.
There was a certain fairy that lived in
Broomer woods that wished to be a mortal.
One day two very poor girls, about 6 and
Z years old, found a little ring where there
were no trees, and being tired, thought IL
a good place to rest. sat down. They were
just seated, however, when they heard a
merry little laugh and looking around saw
a small delicate little fairy, OH they
gasped. The fairy smiled and said: II
have come little mortals to ask you a
favor to grant me-" / have for a great
many years, more even than 100, been a
fairy. l am now getting tired of fairy life
and for but one year want to be q mortal.
You two girls only can make 1t possible.
VIII you try?
Yes" they cried In chorus.
well then, take his wand and wave Il
over me and say: "Become a mortal youth
for one year only"
They did as told and there stood a tall
handsome youth with a white horse beside
him.. He turned to the girls and said
''Thank YOU children, but what shall my
name be?"
Let's call you Prince Charming. because
you are SO handsome"
All right" said the prince. With that
he mounted his horse, threw the girls q
kiss and galloped away.
Next Sunday / will tell a few adventures
he had.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
The Autobiography of a Ring

BY Vera Stanley. Aged IL Years, Cozad,
Neb. Blue Side.
I once was a small piece of solid gold,
lying along the side OF a mountain, when
suddenly it commenced raining. It came
down over the mountain with such a rush
that 1t washed me along with it. After
we a gone quite a long way we met a
little girl. who picked me up carefully and
carried me to her home and showed me to
her parents, who said that she might AXE
me to a tewclry shop and have me made
up into a ring, with bright, shining stones.
The next day I was taken to the shop,
where / was put into a very hot place,
melted and shaped into a our ring. After
I was nearly cold, three shining stones
were pressed into me and fixed so that
they would not come out.
How proud l felt!
The next day the little girl came and
got me. She wore me on her finger until
she got big and was married. After
many years she died, and they buried her
with me on her finger,
After we had been buried two years. two
old tramps came along and dug US up and
took me to another jewelry shop and sold
me.
Soon along came a young man, who
bought me with the intention OF giving me
to his best girl, but when he got homo
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
A Surprise Party

BY Charlotte Boggs, Aged IA Years. 27
South Fifteenth Street, Lincoln, Neb.
Blue Side.
The tiny flakes OF snow had fallen
gently all night over Mother Earth. Little
Beth. aged 8, and her Twin brother, Bob.
had planned to TAX a ride with their
father and mother, In the new, big sleigh.
Az the sleigh drew up to the door. Beth
and Bob plunged into their coats and caps
and in less than five minutes were gliding
swiftly over the white blanqeted ground.
Oh, such fun as they did have. and when
they had finally declared themselves "as
cold as iee." Mr., Greyson suggested that
they go over and peek in on grandma, in
her tiny dolls house az Beth called il.
So, the horses heads were turned in an
other direction, and before long they had
stopped In front of the tiny dolls house"
There stood grandma in the doorway,
smiling a welcome, and when they had
taken off their raps they followed her into
the parlor.
Why was the table so big, out in the
dining room, and what was that big sheet
stretched across the corner for? We shall
soon find out,
The door bell was ringing. Grandma
said, "Will you and Bob please go TO the
door. 1 have my apron on"
why certainly, grandma" they an
swered, and off they went. skipping Eaily.
When the door was opened. much to the
surprise OF Beth and Bob. a large number
Of their little friends came tripping IN and
calling out. Many happy returns OF the
day," handing them parcels.
why, what, wheni" exclaimed Beth.
"oh, Bob. It's our birthday, don't you re-
MEMBER"
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
The Snow Man
BY Dora Wiese, Aged 8 Years, 1905 Nortl
Twenty-sixth Street, South Omaha
Blu Side.

BY Dora Wiese, Aged 8 Years, 1905 North
TWenty-siXth Street, South Omaha
Blue Side.
One night the snow was falling fast.
Soon morning came and a group Of chill
dren came out. "Ohl" said they, Tets
make a snow man. That would be lots Of
funl" So all the children agreed. Thny
piled up lots of snow and made a snow
man.
"Ohl'" said tho snow man. a what
shall 1 do?" They heard me not; but I
said it over and over. Soon 1 was made;
the children thought 1 was fine. Then
they went to a place where there was lots
of snow; there they played fox and geese.
I longed and lOnged to play with them,
but 1t was all OF no use.
Soon it got quite dark and the children
had to go in the house. After the chill
dren went in, a hard wind came and blew
me down with a sigh.
The next day the children came out and
said, "ohl where is the snow MANI"
Then they went m and asked where the
snow man was. Their mother said, Il
suppose the wind has blown it down"
Then they knew what became of the snow
man. They did not put me together again,
so there l laid till the sun came out.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23

fall out Of a gentleman's pocket. He ran
to where it was and was going to give II
back to the man who had lost II. but all
the boys that had crowded around him told
him to keep it, but he said he would not
and then he ran after the man, who
thanked him very much and took John
with him to his house. When they got
there he asked the boy where he lived.
The boy said, IT live in the streets" and
then the man asked John II he got much
money by backing boots. John said, mo.
Lots of times l have to go without a NEAL
Then the man told Him he would get John
a place in a store. John thanked him and
told him he would be very glad to get a
place to work. John got a place in a large
store as a cash boy and he got 81 a week.
After he had been working with the store
for\ about a month, they raised his salary
up to $40 a week and they gave him a
place as a salesman. After John had been
a salesman for over two years he became
one of the owners of the store. John often
went to visit the gentleman who got him
a place In the store that John was half
owner of now. John never forgot his life
as a bootblack, and he always helps every
one he can.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Christmas Day

BY Mary Brown, Aged 10 Years, 2S29 Boule-
ward Avenue, Omaha, Neb. Red Side.
1t was twenty hundred years ago there
came to the shepherds who were herdlng
their sheep on the hills, an angel. At first
they were afraid OF 1t, but when It was
with them a little while they got ac-
quainted will 1t.
This angel said to them: Unto you is
born this day in the city OF David a Savior.
who is Christ the Lord. You shall find
him in a cattle shed lying in a manger for
his bed in the city OF David"
The shepherds were all rejoicing to hear
of Him and went forth 10 find him They
found him just as the angel had stated.
and went home very glad.
AS it is not known the exact date He
was born, the people thought It was to-
ward the last Of December.
Ever after We celebrate Christmas as the
day Christ was born and give presents In
remembrance Of His birth.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Just Too Late

BY Gertrude Hodgson. Aged Is Years, 25T
Harvey Street. Omaha, Neb. Blue Side.
As little Rosalie started out on her third
trip that day to sell a loaf OF bread, her
stepmother Cwho was rather cruel, as some
stepmothers are), took off one of the little
wooden shoes which protected her feet and
tied q bandana handkerchief around her
foot. Then she told her to beg some money
IL she saw some likely person and TO keep
It in her shoe, so little Resale went off
with her bread to a distant corner. She
tried to sell her bread several times, then
sank down on a nearby doorstep as a sud
den exhaustion and drowsiness came over
her which people feel when they are freez-
ing.
Presently a portly old gentleman came
along and, seeing that the child was rather
scantily dressed, dropped a piece of money
into her shoe, not stopping to see how
much 1t was. ct happened to be a gold
piece). A few minutes later a rather agita-
ted young man came hurrledly down the
street. AS he was about to pass her he
noticed the money, Then an idea struck
him; Che was a gambler and had Just lost
all Of his money!. He would take the
money and use it. II he won he would
give her half; If he ost-well-she would
never know. So he hurried back to the
gambling den. He won. 1t was not his
fault; it was luck. You know that the
one gold piece had been increased many
fold and he now had a bag full. SO he
took one-half of 1t and, hurrying back to
where the child lay, in trying to wake her
he noticed that she was rather stiff. Then
he made a discoyery-the child was dead!
He never gambled again. And SO the
child, like everey one, was put upon this
earth for some purpose.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Jim's Hunting Trip

BY Bruce Taylor, Aged II Years, Abbot,
Neb. Blue Side.
One day a boy called Jim was going
hunting and he took his gun and started
off. Jim was always Boosting about how
brave he was. A neighbor nearby kept a
pet bear, but they had always kept him
tied up. One day he got loose and went
off and while Jim was looking around for
rabbite he saw a head sticking up and
sneaked up to get closer, and as he was
about to pull the trigger the bear came
In view. He dropped his gun and ran.
When the other boys heard about 1t they
laughed at him and called him a baby. He
did not boast after that, 1 can tell you.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23

there was. Grandma had prepared a lunch
for them and after they had eaten IL she
asked, How many here know how to catch
fish ?"
Everybody knew how. You took hold Of
a pole and put it through a silt in the sheet
and waited. Then, in a few moments. you
pulled 1t out and there was a gift on the
end OF tho pole for you.
Beth got a doll and Bob got q long
wished for train Of cars.
The afternoon soon slipped by and the
little children piled into Mr.. Greyson's
sleigh and were driven homo as fast as the
horses could carry them.
That night when mamma Greyson was
putting the twins to bed they declared
that it was the best birthday that hey
had ever had.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Nelson's Reward

BY Corinne Robertson, Aged 10 Years.
Wilber, Neb. Blue Side.
once there lived in Portland, Me-, a
little boy named Nelson.
He was a very good boy and he was 2
years old.
His mother and father were very poor
and he tried to help in any way he could.
He was a bright little lad at school and
his parents thought a great deal of him.
Being very poor he did not have play
things such as tops, balls, marbles, etc.
One morning as he was going downtown
on an errand for his mother he CHANGED
to look down the street and saw a horse
hitched TO a buggy running at ~break-neck
speed. There was a little girl in the buggy
with golden hair, blu eyes and a white
dress. Nelson was about to run out Of the
way when he changed his mind. The
horse was already near at and and Mel
son grabbed a board which was lying in
the road. He stood in the middle of the
road and when the horse came nearer him
it stopped and Nelson grabbed It by the
bride,
Nelson asked the girl what her name
was and she said it was Alice Brown.
Nelson said he would take her home.
When they reached her home Alice told
her father all that had happened.
Then Mr.. Brown told Nelson ne was a
brave boy and gave him $40 in apprecia-
tion Of what he had done.
Then Nelson went home and his mother
asked him why he was gone 50 long.
Mother" he said, handing her the
money, Il stopped a runaway horse and
the reward was this"
His mother and father were very glad
and that $40 bought them many usefuI
things.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23

called a policeman. They went into the
house and got the burglars. Then the po-
liceman took them away and Willie went
home.
The next day as While was passing the
big house he was called into the house by
a servant, who said his master wanted
him. He went into the largest room he
had ever seen. Mr., Hartwell 0or that was
his nsmel was sitting in a large chair. He
called Willie up TO him and asked him
what he wanted for reward. Willie said
he did not want to take anything, but the
gentleman said; willie, you are to be
my little boy. You will never have to sell
papers again. You can be little Maygold's
brother Willie could hardly believe what
he heard. but he got a new suit and was
happy ever after and grew up to be a
good, wise lawyer.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
(Second Prize.)
Helping

BY Helen Johnson, Queen Bee, Aged Il
Years, 32i South Seventeenth Street,
Lincoln, Neb. Blue Side.
"oh, dear, / wish 1 were big enough to
do some good" sighed little Jane.
Her mother was sitting ia a large leather
chair before the library fire sewing, when
Jane made this remark, and looked up
very much surprised at her little daughter,
who looked very beautiful as the red glow
from the fire fell on her white dress and
brown curis. She looked up at her mother
with a merry twinkle in her eyes and her
parted lips showed her pearIy teeth in a
smile.
1T won't be long, love, before you can"
answered her mother. only to look up and
see that James eyes were closed with
sleep.
This was James dream. She had been
changed into the powerful sun and was up
In the sky, but covered and shut out by
the little clouds, The trees, flowers and
grass looked very sad, and one after an
other they would look up to the sky and
cry.
roh, where is the sun? 1t is so wet
IND desolate here. 1 wish the sun would
come out and shine upon u.s.
Then. as IL by magic. the sun would roll
out from behind the gray clouds and send
a ray down on the flowers, who would look
up with wet faces and say: "The sun
shines!"
Just then Jane opened her eyes and saw
her mother smiling.
Come dear, it is 6 o'clock and dinner is
ready"
II did help them. mother. after ALL.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Little Ruth's Fairy

Maybe they'll be out Of ginger cake. You
know people often get out Of things to eat.
so why shouldn't fairies get out Of cake,
tooP" Ruth had clinched the argument
and Bob could not reply to her. So he
said. "Au right, I'll wish for ginger cake
first. and then IN wish for ordinary cake,
and then III wish for something good to
eat. But II I open M eyes and find moth
ing beside newly IN know there aren't
any fairies"
Then Ruth ran into the library, where
she eurled herself up In a big chair beside
the warm steam radiator. There she fell
asleep after a few minutes. Bob, remain
ing in the play room. stretched himself
out ON a huge fur rug, lying on his face,
his arm under his head and his eyes shut.
There he remaiped very quiet, wishing
and wishing In a low tone: Good fairy.
bring me some ginger cake. Good fairy.
bring me some ginger cake. /G-o-o-d
fairy. b~-r-i-n-g me- - me -s-o-m = e
e-a-k-e-c-a-k-e-f-a-iJ-y-"
And then Bob fell asleep to the sound
Of his own voice. And while he lay there
he dreamed that a fairy came into the
room and placed a little box beside him
and in that box he found some candy and
nuts, but no ginger cake, and when he
asked the fairy why she did not bring
ginger cakes he replied: 1.-The cook has
gone on a strike, young maj ana we are
out or cake. But we have c%andy-real old
fashioned ~tAffy-whlch YOU will find very
toothsome. And some nuts IN the box are
freshly gathered from the trees that grow
in California and they are very delicious
Thus. while Ruth slept dreamiess, In
the library and Bob slept, dreaming, in
the play room their mother came in from
shopping in the city. She carried tive
large paper bags-one for Bob and one
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
Why Teddy Didn't Go

BY Dorothy Taylor, Aged Q Years, AbbotA
Neb. Blue Side.
Once there was a little boy named
Teddy, who was 7 years old. One day his
mother told him to go to the store and
get some butter and eggs. He said he
would go. but did not. He went to play
with his friend, Robert, pretty soon Teddy
remembered about the eggs and butter.
But he did not say anything about It, n
went on playing. When he went home his
mother was going to see Teddy's aunt.
Teddy asked If he might go, but his mother
said he could, If he had obeyed her at first.
He said he would get the butter and eggs.
but his mother said 1t was too late, and
after that he always obeyed his mother.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23

the candy was a huge popcorn ball all
sweet with molasses. Now. he had not
dreamed Of popcorn, but he had dreamed
Of nuts along with the candy, and, ot
course, the fairy had brought the popcorn
instead of the nuts. Maybe they were out
OF nuts. as they we're out OF ginger cake.
Bob sat up and smiled and filled his
mCuth with popcorn. Then he remembered
Ruth and ran to call her. She was still
sleeping in the big chair; but he reused
her by exclaiming: why, the fairies have
brought you a bag just like mine, and,
OF course, it holds candy and popcorn!"
Then Ruth awoke and looked a bit sur
prised at what Bob was saying. During
sleep she had forgotten the conversation
between herself and Bob relative to the
existence of fairies. But it took only a few
words from Bob to bring the whole thing
fresh 70 her mind again, and then she
jumped up and down with JOY" Oh. the
fairies really and truly came" she cried.
They didn't bring ginger cake, for they
know ginger cake isn't good for little chill
dTen. But they brought US good old-fash-
iored taffy and popcorn, which are better
than cake"
Yes. I'd rather have popcorn like this
AN taffy, too-than all the ginger cake
ever baked" cellar Bob. But, come,
let's see IL mamma has returned yet. We
must tell her hat the fairies came 10 US
and brought us some candy and popcorn,
to prove to me that there are fairies.
Aren't they good fairies TO go 10 so much
trouble for me2'
Yes. they are always good. fairies are, -
declared Ruth, feelingly. But you mustn't
wish too much for them, for they don't
like selfish children. and II you should
ever really need them they wouldn't conn
II you had wished them here when you
really did not need them. Fairies are made
10 help children IN distress. and not Ia
feed them on cake and candy"
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
An Honest Bow

BY Mary Frisk, Aged - Years, Forty
eighth and T streets, South Omaha.
Blue Side.
One day as While Brown was coming
along. the road from selling papers he was
thinking how nice 1t would be to be rich.
Willie had no parents, but lived with his
aunt, who was mean and cross.
All at once as Willie was passing a great
red house he saw a light pass the window.
He knew tina the people had gone away
that evening and that some burglars must
be in the house. Willie thought for a mo-