davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02

Mary was little girl about eight
years old. She had little brother SIX
years old and little baby brother
two years old.
They lived in town with their nam
ma and papa.
Their grandma and grandpa lived on
a farm. The day before the Fourth
their grandpa came and took them
home with him in the surrey.
When they got there their grandma
had supper ready and after supper the
children went with their grandpa to
feed the pigs and milk the cows.
Then they went into the house, ana
their grandpa, who had been soldier.
told them stories about the war ana
about the flag; how soldiers had been
killed trying to save the flag from
their enemies and told them many otn'
err things about the flag.
The next morning they got up and
when they got the work done several
families with little children came TO
their gradpa's, and the old folks talked
and the little folks went out ana
played. ;.
After while they were called ID
and had ice cream and cake
Then grandpa took the children and
their mamma and papa back to town
Mary thought she had nice party
and spent happy Fourth.
John Skirvin, age 6.
Rural Route, No 2.
ElOris Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARY's FOURTH OF JULY PARTY

This is the first time I have ever
written to the Courier Junior.
Mary was little girl only seven
years old She lived in the country.
1t was only week till the Fourth OF
July, and Mary asked her mamma it
she could not have party the Fourth.
Her mamma said she could If she
would be very good girl. Mary tried
to be good and help her mamma.
The day before the Fourth, Mary
helped her mamma bake cake, and
cookies for her party. She invited all
the little girls and boys around and
told them to come to her home the
Fourth of July at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon. The next day at 2 o'clock
there was whole lot of children at
Mary's home. They played games un.
til 8 o'clock and thens Mary's mother
called them out to the dining room
and gave them each chair at the
table, which was spread with cake,
cookies, ice cream, candy and pop
corn. They ate till $3.50 and then
played games till 4 o'clock and then
started home, bidding Mary goodby
and telling her they had very good
time.
Esther Freed, age 10,
r. F. D. No. 4, Abba, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
For my stripes Of red and white.
Chorus:
Maude Skirvin, age r.,
Floris, Ia, r. No. 2.
MARY's FOURTH OF JULY PARTY.

Mary was going to have party on
the Fourth day of July and she could
hardly wait until the time came to
have it. Mary was seven years old and
every day would ask her mamma how
many more days it was until the
Fourth of July. On the third Of July
she said Mamma, how many more
days is it until the Fourth of July? I
want to know so much.'' Mary was SO
glad when her mamma told her that it
was the next day.
Mary got up early the next morning
very happy. She dressed herself and
ran down stairs where her papa and
mamma were awaiting breakfast for
her. She then washed and ate her
breakfast. After breakfast Mary's
mamma done the work and Mary help
ed her. She then got Mary and herself
ready for the party. About 8 o'clock
they were ready for it. They were to be
at Mary's home where she was going
to have the party.
There was about fifty there Mary's
papa got some ice and an ice cream
freezer so they could have some ice
cream. They also had many other good
things to eat. That evening Mary said
that she had never had such a good
time before.
Mabel Skirvin. age ~,
Floris, Ia, r. No, 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
The Courier Junior
Published by
THE cOURlEr. PRINTING &C..
OTTUMWA, IOWA. ....
MATILDA DEVEREAU<.
EDITOR.
A MONTHS CONTEST.

Dear Juniors.-We have decided to
have long contest this time, one TOR
the entire month Of July. Each week
we will announce new subjects. Inc
subjects for the week ending July
will be:
chow we AMusE OURSELVES
ON RAINY DAYS"
aioW WE AMusE OURSELVES
ON AsHoT DAY"
The first subject. "How We Amuse
Ourselves on Rainy Days was sug-
gested by Junior, Mary Louise Pal.
freyman. We are always delighted to
use the Juniors suggestions. We hope
moro Of the children will send us sub
dects. The prize for this contest Will
be q beautiful ring with the prize-win'
ners birthday stone for the setting,
70 be ranked as prize winner, the
juniors must write each week. We
only want short stories, not more
than 200 words.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
BEuLAH WRITES TO LOIS.

Dear Lois:
heard you were sick and I thought
would write you letter. My. papa
takes the Ottumwa Courier I like to
read the Junior page. We have $50 lit
tie chickens. kittens, 10 little goslings
little ducks, SO little turkeys. one hen
just Matched, 8 little pigs and a whole
lot Of little lambs. besides 8 smaM
calves
We live about miles from your
cousins. Letha r. Whitcomb. hope
YOU are better now. have received
postals from three Of the Juniors.
Their names are as follows: Leona
Vest, Manila Jewet and Blanche Sulli-:
van. have received from the Courier
Junior have 90 post cards. Well I.
will close for this time.
Bula Elswick age r.,
Abba, Ia, r. No. 8.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARY's FOURTH OF JULY PARTY.

Dear Editor:
Mary White, little girl of 9 years,
was promised party on the Fourth OF
July as her birthday was on that day.
Ten little girls and boys were Invited
and they each brought her a present.
She received from her little friends,
several handkerchiefs, two cups and
saucers, a pretty vase, handker-
chief, large flag, hair ribbon,
flag pin cushion, box Of stationery,
and pretty little ring set with a
ruby from her mother, and a new doll
from her father. ,.s
The children arrived at Mary's
house about 2 o'clock. Mr.. White help
ed them. shoot of some small fire
crackers and then Mrs. White called
them in to have pink Ice cream and
cake, candy and fruit. After they had
eaten this they had a flag hunt Mrs.
White had hidden good many little
flags in easy places, such as under
rugs under books, suspended from the
chandelier and other easy places. Lit
tie Lillian Hall found the most flags,
SO she got the prize which was large
silk flag, and Johnny Harrison got
the BOBBY prize of small fire.
cracker.
In the evening Mr.. White shot on
some fire works. There were Roman
candles, fountains. spinning wheels.
sky rockets, flower pots and balloons.
About o'clock, after the children had
said they had fine time, Mr.. White
took each child home In his auto.
mobile.
Juliette Eisenbeis, age 49,. rs
4O1 West Park Ave, Ottumwa. Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
AN IMAGINARY JUNIOR PICNIC.

The editor sent many OF the Juniors
card telling them that there was going
to be q picnic June IL Just out Of OF.
tumwa. IS
The Juniors that had to go on the
train were to be in Ottumwa Tuesday
evening SO as to get an early start
Wednesday morning. We were to be
at the editors Office at 10 o'clock, as
she was going to spend the day with
us.
When we got to the grove it was
1890. We rested for a while, then be-
gan to play games and pick flowers.
Some of the Junior boys brought a
rope and made swing.
At 1880 we began to get ready for
dinner.
When dinner was over and the
things gathered up and put in the. bas'
kets, all the Juniors began to play
and pick flowers.
Some went to the swings and 9TH
ers stayed and talked to the editor.
At o'clock we had a lunch and
then the editor and the Juniors start
ed back to the Office.
When we got there it was 4:3O.
We all thanked the editor for her
kind invitation to such nice picnic.
The Juniors from Melrose and 9th
er towns went to the depot and de-
parted for their homes, and all said
they enjoyed the picnic.
A Junior friend,
Loretta F. Coady, age IA
Rural Route No. 2.
Melrose, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02

Mays birthday was on the Fourth
OF July. She was ten years old, and
her mamma said she could have
party. She invited ten little girls
Just her age. At half past ten the lit
tie girls came to Mary's house. They
all brought her nice presents. They
went out and played games in the
yard until Mary's mamma called them
to- dinner
After dinner they all put on their
hats and started to the picnic grounds.
where the band was playing. The
girls all bought some ice cream and
candy, and they rode on the Merry
go-round
They went home at five o'clock.
They were tired, but they all had
good time.
Josephine L. Norton, age H.
Melrose, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
VACATION DAYS

When Johnnie comes to grandma's
house old Towser runs away,
The kitten climbs the apple tree and
stays up there all day;
The chickens In the barnyard are as
flusterell as can be-
They don't approve of little boys, as
any one can see.
And many a night before he comes,
poor Nora lies awake
Devising hiding places for the things
that he might break,
The Jam and jelly's sure to be up on
the highest shelf,
And grandma gets them down, some
times and bids him help himself
When Johnnie comes to grandma's
house there's mud upon the floor,
And thumb-prints on the banisters and
grease on every door.
The house is always upside down the
whole time he Is there;
Eoor Nora signs and wonders why
dear grandma doesn't care.
But when at last that boys in bed
and everything Is still,
OlO lUWb6T lSdf0S Luc Udiu duu AMY
ventures forth at will
TITS then the much abused armchair
holds conclave in the dark
With the old clock in the corner,
standing there SO stiff and stark
''I'm quite worn out she Imply signs;
''since that young scapegrace,
John, .
Came out from town I've been at
times most rudely sat upon"
EFT beats my time" the clock replies,
how modern young folks do;
It wasn't SO In my day. What's the
world a-coming tor"
And the cause of all the trouble-do
you think the rascal cares?-
Is miles away in Slumher Land in his
small bed upstairs.
But grandma says when she goes in
to tuck the blankets down,
Dear, dear, we will be lonesome
when that boy goes back to town."
Marie Grove in Delineator.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARY's FOURTH OF JULY PARTY.

Mary's birthday was on the Fourth
of July. She had never had birthday
party. so her mother was going to
have surprise party on her this year,
A week before the Fourth letter
came to Mary from her Aunt Janet.
It said that she would like to have
Mary come and spend a week with her.
Mary's aunt lived the next station
from them. so Mary went alone. Her
aunt was at the depot to meet her.
Mary stayed week with her. On the
Fourth she went home. Her father
was at the depot to meet her. When
she got home she was surprised to see
the house decorated with red. white
and blue flags and bunting. Her moth
err and twelve little girls met her at
the door. They all cried. "A happy
birthday, Mary On a table in the
parlor Mary found many presents.
They played games and then went to
supper. After that they had fire works.
When they went home at O'Clock
they told Mary that they had had a
very nice time.
Helen F. Paschal, age II.
-. MelrOse, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02

Mary was IL years old. She lived in
large city with many fine houses in
men in town. So Mary had everything
she wanted. A few days before the
Fourth she said to her mother: Mon
day is my birthday, don't you think
might have party?" Her mother told
her that she might if she would be
very careful and not get hurt with the
fire crackers. She promised that she
wouldn't.
When the day arrived Mary was
very busy decorating the house. At
$3.50 o'clock ten girls were at play and
having good time. Some Of them
were very poor and Others were among
the richest in the city. At half past
three they ate their lunch. After they
were through they shot fire crackers
and sang songs. About five O'Clock
they all went home saying they had
had a nice time
Pearl ]. Lemley, age II,
Melrose, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARY's FOURTH OF JULY PARTY.

On Thursday, July 2 in the year Of
1908 Mary and her father and mother
went to the city. Mary got her some
fire crackers and they got home about
four or five o'clock. The next morning
dawned and Mary was sent to her
grandma's. Her mother was busy that
day decorating the parlor.
The next morning Mary got up early
and after eating her breakfast she
helped her grandma wash the dishes
and went out and shot few fire
crackers. In few moments her little
friend caIe over and they were very
busy shooting fire crackers when the
little girl was called to go home to get
ready to go to town.
In a few minutes Mary was sitting
in the carriage with her grandma fly
ing fast along a cool shady road to-
ward home. In a little while Mary was
In the house telling. her mamma what
fine time she had. In few minutes
her mamma told her to go get kitty out
of the parlor as she saw her go in.
Mary obeyed her mother and when she
got in there she saw 20 Of her little
friends sitting along in a row. She was
minutes she was seated on a chair by
her little friends. They were soon out
of doors playing and shooting fire
crackers and having fine time and
after while Mary's mamma told her
to come in the house. They were led to
the dining room where they saw
table in the center Of the room filled
with candy, bananas, lemonade, ice
cream and many other things. After
that they went into the parlor and
Mary's grandma told them many
stories about the flag and why we cell
citrate the fourth Of July and many
other stories That evening about five
o'clock the children left but before
they departed Mary gave each of them
little flag.
Frank Skirvin, age 8,
F1nrio D n
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
A LETTER TO LOIS GRIFFIN. :

Miss Lois Griffin, Abba, Iowa.
Dear Friend
AS / saw IL the Junior page good
while ago that you were sick, l Will
write you q letter and send It to the
Junior page. l also saw your picture
in the Junior.
How are you?
hope you are wen by now.
How far from Abba do you live?
live about nine miles from Ottum.
wa. do not go to school now, do you?
We have twenty-six little geese and
seven old ones.
We have thirteen little calves.
Their names are Rosy, Pat, George,
Betsy, Jerry, Star, HALEY, Comet, Pet
and Cream and the others are not
named. We did have another named
Valentine, but papa sold her.
Have you an incubator? Mamma has
one and she set It three times this
year. She also has an indoor brooder,
but does not use 1t.
How many Juniors do you exchange
cards with? exchange with about
thirty. =
Well, Lois, will close hoping to
hear from you soon.
A Junior friend,
Mabel Skirvin, age IL.
Rural Route No. 2.
Floris, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARY's FOURTH Of JULY PARTY.

Mary opened her eyes one morning
and said: II wonder when my birth
day is, 1t comes on the Fourth of
July?" So when he mamma came in
the room Mary said when Is my
birthday?' 1T is today" said her
mamma so she went down town and
got some candy. When she came home
she laid her hat on the chair. Her
mamma said, go and put it in your
room," and when she opened the door
there stood 30 little boys and girls. She
was much surprised.
They went IN the room and played
games. Then they went out doors and
played hide and seek. Then Mrs. Smith
called them in for lunch. She served
ice cream. candy and Mary though the
prettiest thing of all was a cake with
10 flags. She received some pretty
presents.
Anna Falyfreyman,
Lucas, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARY's MOTHER HAS 400 LITTLE
CHICKENS.

Dear junior thought l would
write again to the Courier Junior as
have not written fora long time.
I am little girl twelve years old
the ninth of June. Twas thirteen years y
old then.
My mother has about four hundred
little chickens 4. lM
Our children's day was the twelfth
Of June. l spoke and sang and was
also In a dialogue. . II
Marie Whitmore and Is sang u a 7:
song. The name of twas The
Little Busy Bee" AZ 49, NJ
There were about twenty-four took {.
part in our program. sg Is.
go to Cross Lands school and
church. s II gsat. rs Z,
will write again
Mary German, age 49,.
Rural Route No. 2. y,
Batavia, Iowa. ~
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
OUR CITY:

thought of writing and telling
about our city which is Ottumwa. OF.
tumwa is SO miles from the capital,
which is Des Moines. 1t is situated
on the Des Moines river which d.
vides it into two parts, the north and
south parts The northern part is the
largest but the southern part is grow
ing so rapidly that it will be as big
in a few years. We have two depots
many churches, banks, and theaters.
A library, the Y. M. G. A. and the Y.
w. C. A. and large hotel. There are
some small coal mines near the city.
The town is lighted by gas and cleo
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02

I love the flag because it is the
American flag, 1t was made by Betsy
Ross June 1777, at her house on Arch
street, Philadelphia.
The building still stands and Is care
rully preserved as the birthplace of
"Old Glory" AS my letter is getting
long 1 will close.
Your Junior Friend,
Miss Ruby Ross age 10.
Blakesburg Iowa, r. R. No. 8.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
HELEN ROWE SAYS SHE IS A
"HOOSIER."

Dear Editor
On the night of June Is, we left the
depot in Ottumwa. 1t was some time
between 80 and - o'clock.
We slept most OF the way to Chi
cago. About sunrise we were awake
My cousin looked at her watch and 1t
was only o'clock. There were only a
few people sleeping by this time. We
washed and cleaned up little, then
ate lunch about o'clock, as we
were very hungry.
After we had settled down, took a
book out of the suit case, which q
friend Of mine had given me on leav-
ing.
I watched every signboard to see
how far we were from Chicago. After
riding quite a while we made the first
stop. 1t was Aurora. We saw many
manufacturing plants there.
When we had passed Aurora, the
suburbs of Chicago began.
There we're so many tracks around
the depot, l don't see how We kept
on the right track.
A friend of ours met us in Chicago.
We had the suit case and things
CISChCu, LuSA ScL OuL W oSC "AdJ w
could in three hours.
We went as high as we could In the
Commercial Exchange bank. We
walked through it, too. There were
some bars on the ground floor.
We were in the new post Off &c build
ing. We went up as far as we could
and looked through holes down to the
lower floors, which we're put there for
light. There we're brass bars across
them. They didn't have so many pri-
vate boxes.
We walked around Marshall Fields
store and out to the lake front would
liked to have taken a boat ride, but
we didn't have time The boat was
just leaving. It was the Chicago"
The man called to us to hurry, but
when we didn't, he started up.
Coming back, we went through the
court house. 1t was large building.
We could not see the full beauty of it,
as thew are enlarging it. When it IS
done, it will cover block.
We were in large ice cream parlor,
too.
We were back to the depot in plenty
of time
There. and every place you saw,
they sold fresh carnations for ten
cents dozen.
We sent some cards from there.
We left Chicago about 1890. The
train had no day coaches on at AL
We were in Pullman No. 4.
A colored woman with white apron,
cap and black dress, put our hats in a
sack. For those who could not touch
the floor they had green velvet cush.
ions like the chairs to put your feet
on.
was so tired slept half Of the
way.
In Fort Wayne we waited about
two hours.
After riding in a Pullman it sort Of
spoiled us to get on a day coach
again.
In Indiana we passed through one
of the greatest onion regions In the
United States.
We were home in time for supper.
The crops in Indiana look fine, but
like every other state, they need rain.
My uncle has corn a foot high.
intend to be Hoosfer all summer.
An old Junior,
Helen Rowe, age II.
La Otto. Ind. Box &c.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARYs FOURTH OF JULY PARTY

MARY's FOURTH OF. JULY PARTY.
Mary had always been used to go
ing to a celebration on the 4th of July
with her papa and mamma, but there
wasn't to be any celebration near their
home on the 4th OF July 1909, and her
mamma wasn't feeling we'll enough to
go very far to celebrate. So Mary was
feeling very bad until her mamma
told her that she and some of her lit
tie friends might have a picnic in the
woods. So her papa found a nice
place in the pasture near a small
stream under large elm tree, and
surrounded by small trees where they
could have their picnic, and then
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
Rural Route No. 3.
Blakesburg, Iowa.
sMARYs 4TH OF JULY PARTY.

Mary was a little girl twelve years
old. She was going to have Fourth
Of July party and was going to invite
some of the Juniors. The Juniors IN.
vited were:
Lois Griffin.
Josephine Norton.
Frances Norton.
Leona Vest.
Forest Weber
Lawrence Weber.
Floy Young.
Mildred Adams.
Elva Huffman.
Juliette Eisenbeis.
Desdemona Eisenbeis.
Henrietta Plaster.
Helen Paschal.
Pearl Lemley.
Olive Lemley.
And many more of Mary's friends
were invited.
The picnic was to be held in a
pretty grove on Mary's fathers farm.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02

The building still stands and IS
carefully preserved as the birthplace
Of "Old Glory" General Washington
called on Betsy Ross and asked her TO
make the flag. There were only thir-
teen states in the union at that time,
so there were thirteen stripes IN the
flag. They decided to add stripe to
the flag for every new state admitted
to the union, but seeing that the flag
would soon be too large they went
back to the thirteen stripes and ad-
ded a star for every state admitted.
Up to the present time there are
thirteen stripes and forty-nine stars
in our flag.
Yours truly,
Vida Conger, age IL.
Rural Route No. l,
Fairfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
Nj the children were to bring basket

All the children we're to bring basket
dinners.
When we ate our dinners each one
of us had box OF fire crackers.
When we used all our fire crackers
and ate little lunch 1t was nearly
time to go home.
When we had all our things gather
ed up and put in the baskets 1t was
o'clock.
All said we had a fine time and de-
parted in different directions for our
homes. Your Junior friend,
Loretta F. Cady, age IA.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

1. Use one side of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil
3. Always sign your name in FULL
and state your age.
A. Number your pages.
s. Do not copy stories or poetry
and send us as your own work.
6. Always state choice of a prize
on q separate piece Of paper, with
name and address in full.
Z. Address the envelope to Editor,
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
MARYs FOURTH OF JULY PARTY.

Mary was planning to have a party
her birthday which was the first day Of
July. The evening before her birthday
1t looked like 1t would be nice day,
but the next day 1t rained all day.
Mary was mad because she could
not have her party but when !. her
mother told her she could have a
Fourth of July party instead she
frightened up. She thought this was
even better than having d birthday
party. The next day she wrote invita-
tons to five little girls. All the girls
came at o'clock. Mary had bunch
of firecrackers for each one. They had
a lunch at o'clock and at Ave they all
went home.
Olive Lemley, age 10,
Melrose, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
NY SCHOOL.

Dear. Editor: l will tell you some
thing about my school. My studies
are language, reading, arithmetic,
spelling and writing.
Our school closed Friday, April 20.
We had an Arbor day program and
picnic dinner.
I am eight years old. l i've OF
farm one-half mile from town.
l will close.
Bess M. Gilbert,
Kilbourne, Iowa.