davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
The Bobsled Party

By Helen Henck, Aged Is Years. 1925
Lothrop street, Omaha. Blue side.
"Say fellows. don't you think It would
be Jolly fine to hire old Mr.. Smiths big
bob-sled and have a party tonight?' said
Dick Eastman, Tor the cool air was par
t~icularly refreshing after the warm school
room. His companions greeted this witch
enthusiasm and they soon had made great
plans for that evening. They planned to
have ten boys and ten girls, They were
to go ten miles up the river to Hampton.
"a small village and back again to East
mans house. where they would have some
hot supper.
Everything happened as planned, but
coming back the snow began to fail and
in a. few moments they were in a genuine
Nebraska blizzard. They soon found that
they were hopelessly lost, 50 the ever re
sourceful boys took the box Off the run
ners, and, turning It upside down, soon
had an improvised shelter. This, With the
blankets enabled them TO keep warm and
they sang all manner of songs although
they could not hear each other. After
about an hour the storm aIated and they
were soon on their way, At Eastmau's
they found a late, but still delicious sup
per and then they went to the respective
homes. Next day they all declared It was
an adventure worth having, although Il
had not seemed so when II happened.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
A Newsboy

BY George Nicholson. Aged IS Years,
Abbott, Neb. Blue Side,
One day in December, a boy named
Frank. was selling papers. He had sold
ten and had eight papers left to sell, when
a mar came along and asked Frank for a
paper. Frank gave him the paper and the
man gave him IS cents, Frank was going
to give the man the change, but he said:
You may keep it," Frank was very glad
and thanked the man.
Then the man asked Frank what he
would do with 1t. Frank said he would buy
some. more papers and sell them and then
he would take the money home to his
mother. Then the mar gave Frank S to
give to his mother. He thanked the man
and then he took the money home to his
mother and she was very glad and told
Frank to go out and get some things they
needed. Frank went out and got the things
for his mother and took them home to her,
then he went out and got some more
papers and sold them. After he sold them
he went home and his mother had dinner
ready so they sat down and ate dinner and
they were very happy.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
A Dickey Darling of Nowaday

BY Gladys Salgren, Aged 10 Years. Kear-
ney, Neb, Red Side.
Dicky was a little boy. 8 years old, and
just started to school.
Bu one day, however. which happened
TO be Saturday, his mother went to an
afternoon party. given by Mrs. l..
Dicky was left in care OF the nurse, who
soon got tired of amusing him. so she sat
down to read and left him to amuse him
self. He soon got tired of sitting and
watching her reading, so he went into the
library, and got out a nice little hook with
pretty pictures in 1t. Then he got his
box Of three-colored paints and began to
paint. He worked busily about fifteen
minutes. Then he got tired Of only paint
ing pictures. so he painted whole pages.
Then he went to find his rag dog. for he
thought It wasn't the right shape and he
was going to fix it. He soon had his dog
in pieces. To his surprise, he had saw
dust all over the floor. He found he could
not fix IT. Then he left his dog on the
floor. Next he went 10 the pantry and on
the shelf he saw the cake the cook had
baked, tthe cook had the afternoon Off.
He soon had n chair, but still he could not
reach the cake except with his three long
est fingers, so he pulled hard, all of a
sudden, and the cake was on his head.
She stopped, to collect her thoughts and,
In another instant. she had him in her
aims trying to quiet him, when In
stepped his mother.
You will have to guess the next
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09

river towards the Potomac river. When
we came in sight OF Mount Vernon the
band ON the boat played Nearer, My God,
to Thee etc.
There was a long. steep bank from the
river up to Mount Vernon. When we went
in the house, in the kitchen there was an
old colored woman selling milk to the
tourists. The kitchen was very large. On
one side there was a very large fire place,
ana over 1t huns some large copper kettles
that were smoked from use. Then we went
into W~ashington's study. There was his
study chair and the globe he studied from.
There were also very many books. When
we were leaving the house a man gave me
some cherry seeds and said they came off
the tree George Washington chopped
down. But 1 think that cherry tree was
too young to bear fruit. l carried the
seeds to Europe and back home again, but
1 do not know where they are now.
In the yard was a very large barn, fairly
covered with ivy. The gardens were very
beautiful. all inlaid like a pattern.
Martha Washington took great pride In
her gardens, and they were marked off
into stars, circles, etc. They were all sur
rounded with neat little box hedges that
were always kept neatly trimmed. I also
saw the coach Washington rode in. 1t was
very high and beautiful, but people are
not allowed to touch it. l also saw the
vault in which George and Martha Wash
ington are buried.
Then we went to Alexandria and visited
the church he vent to. The name plate
with George Washington on 1t was still
On the pew.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
Mary's Happiest New Year

BY Alta KILLER, Aged 70 Years, Kearney.
Neb. Blue Side.
Mary was a cripple and could not play
with the other children. It was near the
New Year day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Brown had planned to go
to a party. OF course Mary must stay at
home, so Mrs. Brown asked some other
children In to see the old year out and
the new year in.
The night came at last when the party
was to be and the children were all there
by $3.50 o'clock. Mary was very much sur
prised when she learned 1t was a party
for her and the children were to stay past
midnight.
The children toasted marshmalIovs for
some time and at 10 all were quite tired.
One girl suggested story telling, but the
boys wanted to do something more lively.
Il can beat anyone a race around the
house and run around twice, too said
one boy. mo you can't, I can beat YOU;
come on said the second one, and all
the boys started for the door. In the snow
near the house the boys found a poor girl.
Just then Mary came to the door, and
when she saw the girl she told the boys
to bring her in.
Mary told her to sit down and get warm
by the fire while she got her some warm
clothes. The girl then told Mary about
herself, and Mary soon found It was .hei
lost cousin, Lilly Brown, who had beer
lost for several years.
Soon Mr.. and Mrs. Brown came home,
and when they found out who Lilly was
they adopted her, and Mary and Lilly be.
came to each other soon as If they were
sisters and not cousins.
Mary always says that this was her hap.
piest New Year,
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
A True Story About Carlo

BY Mary Frisk, Aged 10 Years, Forty
eighth and t Streets, South Omaha,
y Neb. Blue Side,
Long ago. when / was about 6 years old,
we had a dog named Carlo. We got him
from a friend.
One evening when my mother and father
were going away my mother said to
Carlo. GO n take care of the children
Carlo came In and layed down by the
door until mamma and papa came home.
Then he got up and went under the
porch, where he always slept.
One day as we were playing on our
front sidewalk a boy that lived next door
came home from playing ball. He had his
bat In his hand ana as he came up to us
girls he lifted his bat and pretended to hit
my sister. Carlo gave a leap at him and
bit him on the shoulder. The boy went
home and told his parents. They told us
that we had to get rid OF Carlo or they
would poison him. We gave him to our
miIkman. A few days after he told my
mother that Carlo had gone out in the
field with the cows and had cried himself
blind and died. 4
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
Mary and a Kitten
BY Kslsna Davis.

little girl. l am greatly in need. / have
am In real need. But a hild like you
cannot help me. ! thank you, though,
for your sweet, interested look, and for
your having noticed a worn-out old man.
But / can help you, sir" declared Mary.
II live just around that block yonder-
number eleven--and my papa and mamma
are very kind people. They will find some
thing for you to do, l am sure, II you will
call there and say l sent you. ! must look
a little further for that poor kitten, but I'll
run home very soon. Please do go to my
h~ouse-number eleven-and ask for my
mother, Mrs. Stone, and tell her l sent you
TO her"
but, little girl, l fear she'll think me
a common old beggar, and I couldn't bear
to be thought that, for 1 never begged a
penny in my life. i have been seeking for
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. cannot find my
one who will employ such a good-for-noth-
ing old man, You see, child, after the
body has become broken by hard labor.
the ACE aged by time, no one wants you
about. They think an old person can't
work. But / could work, and work well II
/ only had the chance"
I'm sure you could said Mary, all
sympathy. 81 know you are an honest
man, We want such a man to work for
us. Please go around to our house and
tell my mother that I-Mary-sent you,
IN he there as soon as l can find that
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09

as sne hurried along the amos deserted
street.
Just as Mary turned a corner she saw
a little kitten run from an old, untcnanted
house, going across the street towards a
small park. The poor little animal looked
cold and miserable. and its hin body
spoke of starvation and abuses, In a mo-
ment Mary's sympathy was enlisted, and
she turned across the street, going In pur-
suit of the kitten. She had conceived the
idea OF carrying tho wretohed little thing
to her home, where It should have food
and warmth and loving care.
When Mary had almost reached the kit
tens side. and had stopped over to grasp
it in her arms, saying kitty, kitty, come
here" the frightened animal ran off down
an alley way, for kind treatment had
never been bestowed on It, and it did not
know that the little girl who was trying
70 capture It had good Intentions. Rather
did it think there was more torture for it
TO suffer should II fall into her hands. so
1t ran off as fast as ever Il could. hiding
from sight But Mary had seen the kitten
disappear behind an old barrel In the
alley, and thither she went in pursuit of
Il. calling gently, 'Kitty-cat. kltty-cat.
come to me. IN not hurt you, kitty-oat. -
AS Mary began searching behind the
barrel, and some boxes also piled there.
she heard a noise at her elbow. Turning
she beheld a very old man In ragged
clothes. He was leaning on a stick. and
his face was drawn m white. He was
in the shadow OF an old stable, and Mary
supposed he had come from It's shelter.
She knew at once that he was some poor
outcast.
SAY, little girl are you after the Hitter
that just run round that harrslY" asked
the man.
Yes, sir; aid you see where Il went?
want TO catch Il and carry Il nome witt
me, II looks so miserable"
The old man sighed. Yes. to be out IL
the coid--and hungry. and no friend in IN,
worlds enough to make a creature-anl
NAL or Uncomfortable l think, littl,
girl, thai the kitten is I'm one Of thos'
boxes. Don't fTlghten It. II has been use'
so badly that IL 10 afraid OF any person
even a friend"
Mary thanked the old man and turne'
TO continue searching for the kitten. Blu
after a little while she gave up In despair
for the kitten seemed 10 have disappearel
from the earth. She turned towards tn
street, but IN doing so she saw the oil
man looking IN . garbage barrel for food
when>he found that he was being watches
his pale face, flushed and ne turned I
leave the barrel MaFy's heart thrObbsp
with pity. The man was so old and thir
HIS face pale from the pangs OF hardship
his eyes dim with unspoken misery. Coin
60 him she said; Are you in need, sir?
Tears leaped TO the old mans eyes "Ye'
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
Helen and Dorothy

By MyrOn A. Tibbits, Aged 0 Years, South
Omaha, Neb. Red Side.
One day Helen and her sister were play.
ing house with their dolls, Suddenly
Helen heard a call Helen" 1t was their
mother who wanted Helen to go 20 the
store. May l go, too2" said Dorothy,
Eyes, dear" said her mother, and here
Helen, is 3 cents for candy"
The two girls started off. AS they were
going along, Dorothy saw something bright
in the sunlight. She said to Helen, Wait
a minute" She went back to the spot
n found a quarter OF a dollar. Sne
picked IL up and showed il 10 Helen. Il
wish j had found It. Let US buy a new
doIl?" said Helen. mo, no. said
Dorothy. Il am going to save all my
money for Christmas. Mamma said If we
saved enough money to buy each of US a
new pair of skating shoes she would tell
Santa Claus TO bring us a new pair Of
skates" BY this time they had reached
the store.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
Christmas Presents

BY Dortha Burson, Aged Il Years, Oak
Street, Casper, Wyo. Red Side.
one night as the school children We're
walking from school they we're talking OF
what they were going to get for Christ
man. One girl that was dressed warmer
than some Of the other girls said she was
going to get some books and a doll that
was a foot and a half high. She thought
she was nicer than the others and that
she could have nicer presents. One little
girl who had walked along and had said
nothing before said she didn't expect any
thing but some candy. and maybe she
wouldn't get that, While they had been
talking there had been a man and
woman walking behind. They had heard
what the children had been talking about
and the heard what the incest dressed
girl had said she was going to get. So
the woman said to her husband that she
was going to get that little girl some
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
JAMES Christmas

BY Bernice VAN, Aged II Years, Arlington,
Neb.b Blue Side.
1t was Christmas eve and jamie was re-
turning home from the store where she
had bought a penny's worth of candy.
That was all the Christmas she expected
to get. Her mamma was very poor and
could get very little washing. But she
thought that jamie ought to have one
Christmas present. JAMES pap had run
away from her mamma when JAM was
a very little girl. jamie went to bed that
night very happy, because she had ex.
pected to receive nothing.
The next morning she awoke to find her
mamma and a man standing by her. HeI
mamma locked very happy. She thought
the man was very handsome looking.
Come, dear said her mamma, "this is
papa. He came to take III to his home -
"Oh, OH" cried jamie, jumping up and
down. They went that very day and they
are living happily.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
(Second Prize.)
Joe the Little Bootblack
BY Charlotte Boggs, Aged IA Years. 2
South Fifteenth Street, Lincoln,
Neb. Rlue Side

BY Charlotte Boggs, Aged IA Years. III
South Fifteenth Street, Lincoln,
Neb. Blue Side.
Nv only got 5 cents to get my supper.
and that's not enough to get a good.
square meal WITH said Joe to himself
one afternoon, quite late.
Here comes a man. shouted another
little street urchin who was standing near
Joe. Almost Immediately the young man
was surrounded by bootbiacks Of all sizes
and ages, clamorlng loudly, Joe being
among them.
Here, herel'' exclaimed the man, What
will become of meg'
Don't you want your shoes %
asked Joe frowninE at a bruised finger.
"Of course l do" said the man, but I
think one will be enough to black them
Then he added to Joe. who stood looking
at him, you may begin now"
Soon the job was finished and Joe re-
ceived the 10 cents that was due him. He
then went TO a bakery and bought himself
three buns.
KS he came out of the little shop a boy
Of perhaps his own age accosted him and
asked him to please give him a bun. Joe
looked at him and saw that he was even
more poorly dressed than he himself was
and promptly offered to give him two. But
the little boy would only take one. The
boy ank him and then disappeared
down an alley.
Joe was so tired when he reached his
home that he fell fast asleep before he
had time TO undrcss.
A little moonbeam looking through the
window saw him lying there fast ASLEEP
and resolved to DO something for him
She went back and told ali her little
brothers. and sisters about him.
"Ah," said one little sunbeam, II saw
him give a bun to q little fellow this after
noon"
We'll" said the first little moonbeam,
Tets all wish him something nice. 1 wish
him prosperity"
"And I wish him to be happy and light
hearted" said another one,
a." said the little queen, IT wish him
to find his parents. whom the old witch
separated"
That is the best wish of ALL" cried q
little sunbeam.
Then they all took hold of hands and
danced around their little queen singing
of her power and glory.
So It was that a few weeks later joe
found his parents and a brother, who was
no other but the little boy he had given his
bun to.
Joe went through college and is now a
man Of business. He shows signs Of being
prosperous and also very happy.
The little sunbeams and moonbeams love
to talk about Joe and never tire Of doing
nice things for him.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
Honorable Mention.)
My Trip to Mount Vernon
BY Ruth Wilson, Aged Il Years Neprasl

BY Ruth Wilson, Aged IL Years, Nebraska
City, Neb. Red Side.
Four years ago we went to Europe. We
left Nebraska City on the last day of May.
We stopped at Washington, d.. c.. on our
way to New York. and that is what 1 am
going to tell you about.
When the train came to Washington we
could see the dome of the capitol from the
train. 1t was very bright in the sun and
you can see it for miles, After we had
been in Washington a few days we visited
Mount Vernon We sailed down the James
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09
(First Prize.J
The Sea Fairies Home

BY Eunice Wright, Aged Ii Years, 5S2
North Logan Street, Fremont, Neb.
Red Side.
away down deep in the blue sea, the
fairies are living in a palace Of gold, with
furniture of silver. They are very happy.
l win tell you one of my trips to one Of
these places.
One day as 1t was raining and could
not go out doors. / thought 1 would take
a nsp. All at once a fairy stepped into
the window, and said, How do you do?
What can / do for you today?"
"Ohl q me to Fairyland," said ],
We'll" she said, hesitatingly, "I-guess-I
can take you. Are you sure you would
do no harm 70 us7''
oh! 1 love fairies so much that 1
couldn't hurt them" ! said.
A right" she said cheerfully, come
beauties she added, as she put her head
out Of the window. In an instant a span
of snow-white horses came in at the win
dow through which the fairy had Just
silver.
Get n" said the fairy.
Il am toe big to get in there" said ],
pointing to the little silver chariot.
mo, you are as small as 1 am now
said she, pleasantly.
Upon comparing my heigth with that of
the fairy's, / found that there was no
difference.
Let me go to the looking-glass and see
myself" 1 said, turning to the fairy.
But you are too small to see in the
looking-glass," she answered.
Content with this and also anxious to
get to Fairyland. l stepped into the char
lot, and found myself clad in the most
beautiful white silk robe l had ever seen,
with silver stars clustering all over It, and
little silver slippers. A wand like the
fairy's wand was In my right hand, and
a silver crown on my head, all like the
fairy's.
In a short time we were by a
deep blue sea, and riding down through
it, for the horses almost flew along, they
went so swiftly. We rode down through
the water until We came to the palace,
that have described to you I had never
seen such a beautiful place. We got out
OF the little chariot and went into the
palace, where l was greeted by many more
fairies. We danced and sang songs and
then hsd refreshments. hat consisted OF
one drop of honey. served in an oyster
shell with q leaf for q saucer, and delic-
ious AXE made by the queen. Then We
rode around in the chariot to see and
talk to the fishes. We had a delightful
time. and when we came back to the
palace. the queen served honey drops &c
refresh US. Then we laid down to rest our.
selves, and we stayed all night. Then ]
got up in the morning and spent another
happy day. Then as l was roaming around
in the palace looking at the beautiful
things, the queen came up to me and
said, come daughter, you a slept long
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09

man, but she had not expected to see
him seated-like some privileged friend
in the living room, a cup Of tea being
made for him by the lady of the house. But
her mother was not long in explaining how
It happened that the old man had not been
sent round to the kitchen door, where
Cook would see that he was supplied with
food.
well, dearie," said Mrs. Stone. IT shall
now Introduce you to an old friendAmy
fathers most faithful servant, one who
lived on our farm when I was a little girl
like YOU are now. 1 used to call him
'Somas,' not being able TO say Thomas
And 1 knew him the moment lay eyes
on him at the door a few minutes ago,
and before he had spoken three words, 1
said; Why, it's old Somas.' And 1 had
not seen him for fifteen y~eaTs-not since
my marriage, when 1 came here to live,
such a long way from the old home. And
then, as you have heard me tell, father and
mother sold the old place and went TO live
with my brother. where they both died a
few years ago-as you remember. But We
had all lost sight OF good Thomas-and
here he comes In, so Unexpectedly. And
1 am 30 glad to have him with Us. He's
worth his weight in gold. And UGH a
gardener as you used to be, Thomas. oh,
such strawberries you did raise!"
And I'll do It again, II you'll give me
chance" declared Thomas. his age seeming
TO slip from him. while the hot tea he was
now drinking was warming him up. Yes,
I'll be as happy as any old men can be II
! may work for you, Miss Lucy. excuse
me. 4 mean Mrs. Stone. / always think
OF you as little Miss Lucy" And the old
and trusted servant smiled like a happy
child.
'Oh, you shall never leave U.S." said Mrs.
Stone. "But-Mary, dear. where did you
get that poor. kitten2 II looks as though
Il was half dead"
"oh, I'd most forgotten my poor little
waif," said Mary. putting the kitten down
on the floor. ITS a little orphan, and
have adopted it, she said, And while
you are fixing up dear old Somas I'll take
kitty to the pantry and feed her. We've
increased the household by two new mem
bers today. Isn't that a coincidence
mamma."
"eYs, and my little, daughter is 70 b.
thanked by both man and kitten. for III
her good heart that found them BOTH
Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-09

poor Kitten
well, I'll go, and a thousand thanks
to you, little girl" said the old man. III
] were more %sprightly, I'd hunt the kitten
for you, but my legs are not very nlmble
any more, II your mother has work for
me. III see you again, and thank YOU a
thousand times more
Then the old man, repeating the name
stone and the number eleven" went
off round the corner of the block, and
Mary continued looking for the kitten. She
went on down the alley, and just as she
was about to give up the search for a
second time, she came full on the kitten.
orouching against a fence while some boys
from across the alley threw stones At It,
It seemed to have lost all its strength, and