davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
STO3IES-LETTERs.
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A SNOW STORM.

One morning upon arising ! saw the
ground white with snow. 1t had snow,
ed a good part of the night. The morn,
ing was very cold. School was going
on. got my sled out and about $3.50
! started to school as we did not have
far to CO. The men had cleaned the
snow from the sidewalks, but large
snow drifts were all along the walk
There was large hill near the school
house. At recess we went to the hill
and coasted. When we went home at
noon for dinner the snow had melted
little, but not much. People came
through town in sleighs with sleigh
bells. A short time after noon it be-
gan showing again. 1t showed few
hours and when school was out in the
evening we could hardly get home for
the deep snow drifts. The boys had
run ahead of us and hid When we
passed them they snow balled us, but
we managed to get home. We were
pretty cold and after We had warmed
we went to do our chores. After we
had done our chores went to one OF
my school mates home and coasted
The snow was awful deep, but we
broke a road and coasted till We were
almost frozen when we returned home
l always like for it to snow because
like to coast. 1t was not only one day
after the snow that we coasted but a
good many. We have had our first
snow this winter last night.
Leila Saum, age II,
Blakesburg, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
MILE, THE LITTLE HOUSE
KEEPER.

Millie is little girl just ten years
old She lives in the country with her
father and mother She has one little
brother three years old.
One day Miles father and mother
went to stay about week in the
city. Miles uncle stayed with her
while her parents were gone. She
kept the house very clean and always
cleaned every room up every day
When her mother came home she
found the house clean and everything
looking very nice.
Her mother said that she would get
something nice for her when she went
to town, because she had kept every
thing so nice while she was gone
In few days afterward Miles
mother went to town and got her a
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
- - --------------------------
ESSAY ON KINDNESS.

Many heart has pined with an
guish for love and kindness from a
friend, which they should have COM
fort. Kindness is the best and cheap
est gift ever given; we should be very
liberal with it, for it is better than
money. Kindness in a mothers lula
by will make the song sweeter than
the lark's song, and will make the
careworn brow Of the husband and
man less severe in their expression.
A stranger is just like vine cut
loose from its supporter; it will cling
to the first thing that will help pro,
tect 1t.
We should speak kindly to stran-
ger, whether it be a guest by our fire
side or our servant in the kitchen,
whether young or old.
Lord Byron beautifully says: If a
man be gracious unto strangers, it
shows he is q citizen of the world and
his heart Is no island cut off from the
other lands, but continent that joins
them
We should all try to be the conti-
nent that joins other lands.
Kind words are like a flower seed
where it drops; it will grow and grow,
and after while it will bloom.
Kind words are easier to say than
harsh ones and do ever so much more
good.
A little word in kindness spoken,
motion, or tear,
Has often healed heart that's broken
And made a friend sincere
Miss Leila Van Horn. age 15
R. F. D. No. 4,
D!oo,,E Tow,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
Which is Best

II only our frocks and our aprons
Would grow like the leaves on the
trees,
And out we could rush in the morning,
To gather and pick as we please
How nice it would be, and how easy!
We never would have misfit;
No matter how much we might tear
them,
We never need sew up slit
No tiresome mending or darning,
No use for a needle or thread,
No grief for a hole in the stocking
No scolding from mother to dread.
And if there were never lesson,
No writing nor spelling Of words,
And nothing to do but be idle,
And chatter, and sing like the birds
How useless. and tired. and lazy,
And mischievous, too, we would
grow!
No mol. 'Tis a thousand times better
To read and to spell and to sew.
The Morning Star.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
CHARITON-EVE SHIELDS.

Charlton is the county seat of Lucas
county. 1t is on the main line of the
c., B. & @. railroad and has popula-
tion Of about 1000. 1t has nine
churches and four school buildings,
Carnegie library and a business col
lege. 1t also has electric lights and
city water works The business part
Of the town is built in square. The
court house is in the center of the
square and is surrounded by trees.
Charlton is in the center of rich
farming country and is quite a busy
place on Saturdays. Charlton has no
nice park, but about one mile from
the square is the c., B. & @. reservoir
In the summer time people go out
there to bathe. fish and go boat riding.
Evelyn Shields, age 9,
Charlton, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
THE WASHINGTON CONTEST.

The Washington contest closes Mon
DAY, Feb. Il, consequently we will pub
lish the rules Of the contest again to-
day.
We want the Juniors to write short
essays (about 800 words} about the
first president. To have little more
variety in the stories, we suggest that
the Juniors use one Of the following
subjects for their essays:
WASHINGTON, THE FIRST PRES
lDENT.
WASHINGTON AND HIS ANcEs
TORS.
WASHINGTON AND HIS FAMILY
WHY GEORGE WASHINGTON
CHOPPED THE CHERRY TREE.
A WASHINGTON PROGRAM AT
SCHOOL.
The prize will be a beautiful solid
silver Washington souvenir spoon.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
F., ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Abraham Lincoln was born Feb. IL,
1909. He was very honest man. He
and his parents were very poor. His
mother taught him to read the Bible,
His mother died on October 5, 1918,
at the age of thirty-five years. Abra-
ham and his sister Sarah alone sur
vived her. "All that l am, or hope
to be-" said Lincoln. 81 owe to my
angel mother. Lincoln loved to read
but in the back settlement" as he
called it, there were not manY books.
He read the Bible, Pilgrims Progress,
and Life Of Washington, over and
over His father afterwards married
Mrs. Sally Johnson, widow with three
children.
Ruth Sullivan, age II,
Alb South Benton ST., Ottumwa, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
"WHEN MY MAMMA WAS A LIT
TIE GlRL."-TRUDE VAN NICE.

When my mamma was little girl
the school she went to burned down.
1t was in the winter and the snow
was very deep. They had just little
path to go through the timber, SO her
papa took the team and hitched to a
log and dragged path for them to
go to school. During the morning a
fire was discovered in the roof. They
got the books, desks and wraps out OF
the house before it burned down.
There was young man visiting at the
school that day.
There was creek to cross, and they
used large log to cross on. AS the
teacher went to cross she fell in the
water and the young man helped her
out. The then went on home with no
more accidents that day.
Trude Van Nice, age 19,
PncSa1 iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
WHEN MAMMA WAS A LITTLE
GIRL.

My mother was born and raised one
half mile from Marysville, Ia. She used
to go to school one mile and a half.
The Milwaukee railroads through the
playground now where she used to go
to school, She lived on the old home
place until she was eighteen years old
and then went to live with her sister
Mrs. B. l. Stevens. She lived in Iowa
until April 30 1908 when she sold her
home and moved to Nebraska. She has
three children. Their names are Char
otte, Warren and Aurelia. She likes
her new home fine
Age 8. Aurelia Mccormick,
Tr1mbull, Nebr
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19

heard even above the rumble of the
wagon, as they passed bare, little
wooden house, rough and unpainted.
Then mamma said in a cherry voice,
just as if she were not a bit tired,
There's a baby in that house.
Where. don't see one,' said Eric
Look at the clothesline," said NAM
ma, laughing. "On Monday afternoons
can always tell house where there
is a baby, for all the little clothes are
hanging out from the wash. l feel
sorry for house where / don't see
signs of baby
Why, | never thought of looking, y
said Kate.
Nor t. said Eric.
Grandfather laughed quietly. I'm
seventy years old, and never look
ed. I'm going to begin now"
At the next house they passed there
were no clothes on the line; but
grandfather nodded his gray head and
remarked There's baby in that
house,
why, I don't see a sign of one, .
said Eric.
Il see sign" grandfather said; and
he let the horses walk slowly past the
house.
Then Katie saw it. There's board
nailed across the kitchen door to keep
him from tumbling out" she cried !;
and just then round, curly head with
two big brown eyes appeared above
the board.
oh" said Eric, there he is, sure
enough; I was looking for his clothes" :"
1t was great fun after that watching
all the houses for signs Of baby
Listen! There's a baby in there, "
said mamma, as they passed bright
new house, and from the open door
they heard low, sweet lullaby sung
by woman's voice
Yes, there's baby" said the chill
dren-"Drive gently grandfather;
he's just going to sleep We must not
wake him up again"
At another house grandfather dis
covered sign, and such curious one
that even mother could not find it.
Are you sure, grandfather" Eric
asked
"Yes, I see it, was all he said; and
he let the horses stop for q drink,
while the others looked and searched
with keen eyes.
1--WE give 1t UP; you must tell us,
they said at last. And then he pointed
with his whip to a bed Of gay poppies
where little heaps of the bright bios
SONS were lying at the side whitening
in the sun.
Are you sure about that sign?"
Eric asked.
Eyes, quite sure. What q little rogue
he Is, too, to pluck all those flOwers!'
said grandfather. But If you won't
believe my sign, there's another" he
went on. And this time he pointed to
a little straw hat lying by the road
side with handful of withered flow
ers beside it.
1t was Eric who discovered the last
sign of all as they drew near the end
of the drive. They were passing a
pretty little home with pleasant
garden in front. No one was in sight.
Under a tree lay rocking chair which
had been tumbled over; and nearer
the door lay piece of needlework
which someone had dropped. These
were Eric'c signs, but the others
would not believe in them.
Just as they passed, however they
heard the plaintive sound of a baby's
sleepy cry.
There. now, didn't tell your"
said Eric in triumph.
But how did you know" asked
Katie.
why, don't you see, when he be-
gan to cry, his mother jumped up,
and upset her chair, and dropped her
work as she ran
And now the long drive was over.
and the children had found the last
half of it shorter than the first after
all.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
WiLMA's FIRST LETTER.

Dear Junior:
AS | haven't written to the Courier
thought | would try my luck My
papa takes the Tri-Weekly Courier
and we all like it fine. love to read
the Junior letters. We moved from
Davis county, Iowa to Kansas. We
live sixteen miles east of Wichita. We
live on farm of 160 acres. My broth,
er Ross and have three-quarters of q
mile to go to school. Our teachers
name is Will Watt We like him fine.
l have one sister and two brothers.
Their names are Edna, Herman, and
Ross. They are all older than l. For
pets l have two birds, dog named
Buster, and hen. Her name is Buff
Wilma Ingold age 10,
R. F. D. No. l. Augusta, kas.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
Marion Mincks, aged 10
Route 8, Ottumwa, Ia.
CALlFRNlA GIRL WRITES THAT
HER Ph.jA HAS READ COUR-
Ter al YEARS.

Dear Editor:
This is the first time I have ever
written to the paper. l have two little
sisters. Their names are Talma and
Clauddene. She and l go to school. We
are in the B4 and are getting alone
fine. One of my little sisters is in the
same grade as I am. There are forty
pupils in our school. We live in town.
My teachers name is Miss Smith. The
city in which we live is Los Angeles.
The grass is green and the flowers are
blooming. The oranges are coming on
nice now. And there are all kinds Of
roses. My papa has taken the Ottumwa
Courier for the last forty-o one years.
Age 10. Irene Candy,
926 w. 35th ST., Los Angeles, Calf.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
MILE, THE LITTLE HOUSE
KEEPER.

Millie is q little girl nine years old.
She lives in the country with her faith
er and mother and baby sister, Ruth.
she helps her mother a good deal,
as she has no one else to help her
Everybody calls her little house
keeper for she does much work in the
house.
In the morning when she wakes up
she makes her little bed and after
breakfast she takes the broom and
sweeps her little room all out nice and
clean
When her mother washes the dishes
Mile dries them for her She helps
her mamma scour the knives and
forks and she sweeps the kitchen
floor.
Her mother cleans the parlor, the
sitting-room and sweeps the bedroom,
and Millie makes her father and
mothers bed.
At noon she sets the dinner table
for her mother and dries the dishes
for her at noon She doesn't help
with the dishes very much at night,
for she is generally sleepy
She does all this work on vacation
days, but when she goes to school. she
hasn't time to do it all, but does part
Of It,
l think she certainly is little
housekeeper
I am Daily Junior.
Maud Skirvin, age II,
r. r. No. Z, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
HAROLD A "SHUT-IN."

Dear Editor
l have never written to thank you
for that pretty post card you sent me.
I am very proud of it, for it is the
from the Courier Juniorl 1 put it in in
my new post card album with my 9TH
er cards. | am quite anxious to know
who will be prize winner in the jan
uary letter contest In the case of
Jim, Snip and the baby, l would try
to save the baby and let Snip CO.
For Snip was an old dog and deaf and
his days of usefulness were over. The
baby had just begun it's life and might
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
JUSTINE LIKES THE FARM.

Dear Juniors:
| like to go down on the farm. 1t IL
a big lawn. My grandma has lots OF
chickens. Grandma and grandpa go
south and spend the winter. They have
several horses. Thew have a big house
and a big barn. They have lots Of
fruit trees and Maud and | like to
gather fruit. They have a big orchard
and the fruit trees are out there We
like to gather the eggs. Ever time
grandma wants the eggs gathered
want to gather them. We like to jump
into the corn as we shell it, We have
so much fun with the dog. His name
is Rock. He is so big he is like an eIe-
phant. Ever time we go down to the
farm he jumps up on u.s. We waded in
the mud. We had lots of fun. There
We're lots of frogs in the mud puddles.
There was pond by grandpa's house
and some frogs were in the pond. One
day Maude and 1 were barefooted in
the horse lot and we ran and kickt d
ZIP the dust. There Is a river. by their
house. We run and jump in the hay.
We ride in the wagon. The last .1.re
we rtre down there the plums were al
rine
Justine Mansfield, Il
Age y. Sioux CITY, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
"MY BANTAM ROOSTER"

Dear Editor
When I was little boy and lived in
Iowa, l had pet bantam and the Ply
mouth Rock roosters would run and
jump over the fence or hide when
they saw him coming towards them.
He got so he was the boss of the
chicken pen. He could lick any
rooster or hen we had on the farm
He finally got so mean that I gave
him away to my cousin. He soon ran
away and went to one Of the neigh
boris, and that is all l know about
"My Pet Bantam"
For pets now | have horse named
Jip, cat named Pearl, and a dog
named Duke.
Warren Mccormick, age 13,
TrumbuIl Neb.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19

park along the south side of the river
is the incest one of all l think. You
can sit and watch the river and can
get nice view of the north side; see
the houses away up on the high hills.
Ottumwa lies along the Des Moines
river. We have the north and south
side, the river separating the two.
There are no large boats on the river
of late years. as the water isn't deep
enough Ottumwa has population OF
25,OO0 people. We have large court
house and city library and a large
number of churches and schools.
think there is no place like Ottum-
wa. | was born here and have lived
here all the time. My mamma has
lived in Ottumwa since she was nine
years old.
Forest Weber, age 8.
1905 East Main ST., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
ST. VALENTINES DAY.

ST. Valentines day was named after
a Christian. MARTYR named Valentine.
He lived in the third century and was
we'll known for his deeds of kindness.
The emperor of Rome had Valentine
arrested and thrown into prison. He
hired man to try to make him wor.
ship idols, but did not succeed. After.
wards Valentine converted Asterius to
his belief by healing his blind daugh,
ter. Because of his suffering martyr,
dom in Rome, his name has been
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19

placed on the calendar on February
IA, which is called St. Valentines day.
The custom of sending comic mes
sages was associated with the feast
called Lupercalia, feast kept by the
Romans. On this day the people were
accustomed to send presents, such as
handkerchiefs, gloves, pieces Of
jewelry and many other small articles.
So we have always kept this custom
of sending messages, etc.
Mabel e. Reifsnyder, ager IS,
518 E. Main, ST., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
WANT GOOD LETTERS.

We especially want to have good
letters. We will give a. surprize prize
at the end of February to the Junior
who writes the best letter, as well as
send souvenir cards whenever their
letters or stories appear.
The Juniors can write on one Of the
following subjects and receive beauti
full souvenir cards, if they do not care
to write letters:
A SPEEDY RECOVERY.
A NEW GAME FOR BABY.
A DARK ROOM.
A TELEPHONE STORY.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
------------------------
A LAMB is WILLIAMS PET.

Dear Editor:-
I go to school Ny teachers name
is Miss Anna Baggott. l like her very
well. I have gone to school for five
months without being absent or tardy.
We had twenty-one scholars when our
school commenced. I have pet lamb.
His name is Bob MY brothers name
is Lowell. l sit beside him at school,
l have finished reading in the first
reader and will begin the second read
er tomorrow. | was six years old
the fifteenth of this month.
Miriam Sullivan,
Bloomfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

1. Use one side of the paper only
O. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil
g. Number your pages.
T. At the bottom of the last page
write your name age and address.
5. Do not copy stories or poetry
and send to us as your own work.
g. Always state choice of prize on
a separate piece of paper, with name
and address in full
7. Address the envelope to Editor
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19

sides, human life is more valuable
love them. Well, dear editor, am
sick and out of school. am what you
call "shut-in.' / put in most of my
time reading, drawing and cutting out
pictures. I get lonesome sometimes,
but | make my mamma quit her work
and play with me. This is all for this
time.
Harold Maxwell, age 6,
Charlton, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19

Dear Editor:-
am little girl nine years old. I
go to the Temple school. My teachers
name is Miss Matte Wilson l like
her very much. l have three brothers.
Their names are Ivan Ralph and Ron
AID have three little pet chickens.
l guess | will have to knit stockings
for them, it is getting so cold.
Well. as my letter is getting long, I
will close. Eva Lind, age 9,
Batavia Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
MAUDE THINKS CANDY WILL
CHEER THE SICK.

Dear Junior
saw my letter in print. so
thought would write again. Some of
my friends are here today. Their
names are Ruth and Oma Demoss
The way to cheer the sick is to take
them some candy or send them some
post cards. Well, as l don't know
much to write, will close.
Maude Squire, age IL,
R. F. D. No. /,
Fredric, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
Age 9.
GLENN HAS FUN AT SCHOOL.

Dear Juniors:
As have not written to the Courier
Junior for Some time I VIII do SO now
Hcw are you all? | have been staying
With my grandpa, w. H. Harryinan
this winter. | go to No / schoolhouse
and have lots of fun at school. All of
we boys bring our skates to school and
then we go skating on my unrl,'a
pond. My teachers name is C. Earl
Harrington. Our school will be out on
Friday. We are going to have fine
program. How many of the Juniors
like to draw? 1 do.
Age Is. Glenn w, Rodgers.
R. F. D., No. 2, Douds- Leando, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
MAMMALS PET CALF.

Dear Editor
AS | have never written for tn,
Junior before l will write now.
| go to school every day My teach
er's name is Katie Wilson l like hel
very much.
I have one brother and one sister
We have a pet calf We call heI
Topsy. She drinks her milk out Of 8
bucket. 1t is fun to watch her drink
lila May Brown, age S.
Rural Route No. 1.
Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
MISS WILSON A FAvoRiTE.
Dear Editor.

Dear Editor
| thought would tell you a little
about papa's home and the things
around here and my teacher.
have two miles to go to school. The
teacher is glad to see me when | get
there, and she says, Good morning
boys" My teachers name is Miss Mat
tie Wilson.
| have three brothers and one sister.
My brothers names are Estol Ches.
ter and Laurence and my sisters
name is Bertha.
Yours truly
Ethan Curtis, age 8.
Rural R. No. 1. pox ia
Batavia, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
SIGNS OF BABY

The last half of a long drive always
seems much longer than the first.
That, is what the children were think
ing as they sat, tired and silent, in
grandfather's big wagon, and wonder
ed why the railroad station was so
far from the farm. But away in the
western plains of America railways
are not so plentiful as they are with
us; houses, too, are sometimes few
and far between.
Katie gave a big sigh that was
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19

large doll and buggy for it, When
her mother came in Millie was very
glad, because she had been wanting a
doll for so long.
Millfe thanked her mamma very
much for getting them.
Well, I will close my story, as it is
getting long. ! am Daily Junior.
Mabel Skirvin, age II,
r. r. No. z, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
A SKATING PARTY.
Dear Editor

Dear Editor
I will write about skating party
The party took place in the afternoon
The ice was melted a little from the
hot sun. The ice was very slick, and
one fell down and got all wet and had
to go home, and never skated any
more that day.
remain your little friend,
Aurelia Mccormick, age 8,
Box T. Trumbull, Nebr.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
VAS PAPA LIKES THE COURIER

Dear Juniors:
| live on the south fork of the Sho-
non river close to Ishwood, Wyoming.
We have ranch. My papa likes to get
the Courier have three brothers and
one sister. go to school. My teachers
name is Miss Calkings | like her verv
much. For playmates / have Edna
Martin and Lillian Burch | have one
pet cat. His name is Tommy. One of
my brothers has pup. His name is
Teddy. Well l will close for this time.
Age y. Eva Lawson,
a.1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
ARTHUR GOES TO FRANKLIN
SCHOOL.

Dear Juniors:
This is my first letter to the Juniors.
l live in Ottumwa and I am 10 years
old. I go to the Franklin school. We
have taken the Courier for five years.
We have cat and dog and have had
a fine time this winter sleighing.
slide on Park hill
Arthur Parkinson,
East Main ST., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19

Dear Juniors.
My birthday was November 22 l
had party and invited 40 children.
We had nice time. have never miss
ed day or been tardy at school My
teachers name is Muriel McCandless.
am in the 5th grade.
Age -. Beatrice Mather,
Glenwood, Mo.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-02-19
CRAP

Grapes grow on cluster vines. Some
are blue and some are green. We have
both colors and they are good to eat
raw but mamma makes pies, butter,
Jelly. gave my little friends some. We
had more than we wanted. We cut our
vines down last fall so they may be
better this fall.
Age T. Dora Adcock
Chillicotha La