davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
BEVA'S PAPA Is DEAD.

Dear Editor: AS have never writ
ten to the Courier Junior. thought,
II would write.
! | live on farm miles southwest
|of Allerton, Iowa. I live with my
Grandma.
NV father died when I was only
+ three years old. My mother and l
have lived with her ever since my
father died except two or three years.
MY grandpa died two years ago Feb
ruary % 1909.
NV grandma and grandpa entered
the land that they are living on from
the government about fifty-six years
ago. There were no railroads or no
trees here when they came. OttumWa,,
was then the only town to trade IN
About a half year after they came here
a little store was built between AL
lerton and Corydon. My grandma
raised all her chickens on clabber
milk, and they were all raised out OF
doors.
This. place was surrounded by In
dams. Where our hog pasture Is now
there were 500 there at one time. l
have never seen an Indian, but hope
to some day.
one of mammals brothers who lives
in Oklahoma, says there are just lots
of Indians there.
NV school teacher, (Alice Mace)
said she saw an Indian woman that
was 1O3 years old. l think that IS
quiet old for any person to live
Two years ago Christmas l got
pair of skates and that winter 1t was,
lust fine skating. would skate most
every morning to school. There Is a
little small river that runs through
our field and then into Mrs. Arm.
strongs field and then right by the
school house. Most every girl and
boy from 6 to years old has got q
pair Of skates.
MY uncle takes the Courier. l like
| to read the stories and letters.
MY mother has seven brothers and
five sisters and six with herself have
seen all of them. She has five
brothers and three sisters that live
inside of twelve miles Of home.
The rest are in different states. One
! is in Colorado; one is in Oklahoma;
one is in Nebraska; one that lives
twenty-three miles northwest OF Des
Moines.
Well 1 will close as my letter is
getting long. . =,
Beva Chamberlin, age 13,
r r d. No. 2. AllertOn, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06

of the old clock grew so monotonous
that he sprangito his feet and threw the
book to the fartherest end OF the table
I've Just tried, and tried, and tried, to
get that old lesson, and amt going 10
try any longer. So he went out OF the
room giving the door slam and out
on the porch where his grandparents
we're sitting. His grandma was knit
ting and his grandpa was reading.
"Have you got your lesson yet
Chad % asked his grandma, mo grand
ma, I just can't get It," he answered.
SIN afraid you diden't try very hard,
she said with smile. Come here
Chad. let me tell you a story" Chad
climbed upon her lap, and fixed his
large eyes on her face. Grandma
smiled. would getting your lesson be
as pleasant as listening to a story"
"I'm afraid not" Chad answered for he
loved to hear grandma tell stories:
"Well," grandma began, when your
grandpa and I were married we Went
to housekeeping away out on the
prairie. For miles and miles there was
nothing but grass. We burned of the
grass on a good sized field, plowed and
planted our corn, every thing went
well, the corn ripened fine and 1t
would soon be husking time. One
night we were awakened by the shouts
OF some neighbors, we sprang up and
rushed out doors to see as 1t then
seemed) the whole western sky full OF
fire. Then what night followed.
don't know how we ever escaped
but we did. After the fire was checked
we went back to our home, Oh! what
a sight met our eyes, nothing was
left-"and" grandpa broke in. III 1t
had not been for your grandma Chad,
we would never have had anything
after that I was like you, I tried, or
thought had and wasn't going to try
any longer but her motto was IF at
first YOU don't succeed try, try again"
She cheered and encouraged me. and
finally we won. SO Chad the best way
to do is "try, try again"
Chad sat on his grandma's lap sec
ond, 81 believe I'll go and get my lesson
now
Grandma replied as she kissed him,
"I'm glad my little boy has so much
courage. If your grandpa had been
a little more like you-then she laugh
ed. ives" her husband replied, 'he has
your courage, not mine, or he would
have stayed right here" and he smiled
as Chad disappeared into the house.
Bessie Lois Ulin.
E1don Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
THE NORTONS LIKE CEDAR
RAPIDS.

Dear Editor and Juniors:-M sister
and were very glad Saturday when
the postman brought. us the Courier
Junior. We were standing on the
front porch and we both opened 1t at
once We were so anxious to see 1t
because we had not seen 1t for three
weeks. When papa renewed his sub
scription for the Courier guess the
editor did not get the right address
on our paper because we did not get
them until last Thursday.
l received a post card from the
Courier Junior about a week after l
came here, it was sent to Melrose and
the postmaster there forwarded it to
me here. So suppose my letter was
printed in the Junior but l did not
get to see it.
We all like Cedar Rapids fine. 1t is
very beautiful city. And 1t is kept
so nice and clean. There are many
parks here but I have been to only
one.
Last Sunday papa, Frances, my
uncle and 1 went out to Ellis park on
the street car. I think it is about
three miles from the main part OF
town. 1t is on the river. There were
people fishing and others in canoes
and launches on the river. Out in the
river there are islands, and people go
out in boats to islands and have their
lunch out there. We got q very nice
view Of the river from the large pavil-
ion that is near the river. There are
pavilions scattered all through the
park. In one of them there is well
where we could get drink. They
have such nice gravel drives and
walks all through ,the park. And lit
tie bridges made SO pretty which add
to the beauty of the park. We did
not stay long so I did not get to see
it all. want to go out to Bever park,
that is where they keep the animals
and Riverside park have heard IS
very pretty. don't think / could
name all the parks that are here be-
cause there are SO many. We are
Just beginning to get acquainted now.
But we have only been here two
weeks.
Yesterday Frances. Our uncle and
l walked about two miles out to the
woods to gather flowers. We got quite
large bouquet. But the flowers are
not all out in full bloom yet.
Well, am afraid you will all think
that / am never going to close this
letter SO will close now. And next
time write some more about Cedar
Rapids.
Josephine L. Norton,
712 First Ave West,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
HER GRANDPA TAKES THE
COURIER.
Miss Irene Smith. Greedy, Neb.. R. R.

Miss Irene Smith, Greedy, Neb., R. r.
No. 2.
Dear Friend.-As the editor wishes
the juniors to write to each other and
as didn't know any of the Juniors, l
thought would write you: I know we
have never met each other, but it
doesn't make any difference.
My grandpa takes the Courier. He
has taken It for eight years. We think
it is good paper.
We live six miles east OF Abba.
1 have q papa, mamma and one sis
ter. Her name Is Callie. She is eight
years old.
Thursday, May is my birthday.
will be eleven years old.
1 will close for this time as my let
ter is getting long.
Yours truly,
fs Lola Wilson, age 10.
* r. r. No. 8, Abba, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
guise. I'd know them false whiskers
onvwhere Marchi"

gu1Se. Ia KNOW IHeLu IalSS WulShcT'
anywhere. march,"
Harper now saw that he was in di
llemma. Hands up over his head. he
could not drag off the hat and beard t
show the officer who he really was
The officer had commanded silence
and the poor boy was afraid to speak
But at the door, and just as Garry
was about to open It, 1t opened from
the outside and in stepped Mrs. Good
man. She had no time to ask Ques
tons about the strange scene trans
acting In her hall. for before the pc
!liceman or Garry, or even she could
speak, Harper, all fear now gone, had
jerked off hat and whiskers and was
crying OUT Mother, I've been ar
rested for being in my masquerade
costume"
Well, of all the surprised persons
| In the world. that policeman and Carry
were the most surprised. Carry stood
openmouthed, not able to say a word.
Mr.. Foley showed his revolver into his
pocket and tried to look unem barrassed.
But his face was crimson, and he
looked like creeping through the key
hole. %
A few words from Harper and every
thing was explained Then Mrs. Good
man and Harper laughed heartily. But
the officer beat hasty retreat after q
look meant to wither his victim, was
directed at Garry. He knew that on the
following day he'd be the butt of his
fellow officers. Carry, humbly begging
pardon, and contending; but, Mrs.
Goodman, Master Harper looked like
a bloke. Sure an he did. An I
thought there'd be a big reward, so
did"
"You were in the right, since you
mistook Harper for house-breaker."
said Mrs. Goodman. II can trust you
in the future, for you are brave girl. .
eyes, no bad man is going to make
haul while you are here" laughed
Harper. "But say, mamma, it's tough
luck to have to be arrested in ones
own pantry. Gee. I'll be half an hour
late at the party, though! It's twenty
past eight. I must put on my
flowing beard and hat and be off"
Hope they won't run you in en-
route to the Smiths" laughed Mrs.
Goodman. You'd better carry hat and
whiskers in hand as you go on the
street and adjust them at the Smiths
door," -
Harper acted on his mothers advice
and reached the party safely. where all
fell to guessing who he could be. And
not one guessed his identity till the
end of the evening. Then they heard
the story Of his strange arrest. And
all agreed that Harper had enjoyed
most peculiar experience.
"Such a dilemma" said Bessie.
"Being shut up In your own pantry.
Wasn't there any cake and cheese to
eat while waiting for the policeman
Then every one laughed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06

There was some little girls and boys
going to have a party in the woods.
They were going flower hunting and
they were going to take their dinners
with them. Some of the girls took
their dolls with them and the boys
took their fishing hooks and lines and
went fishing and got good many
fish, and they had them for dinner.
After dinner the girls chose one OF
the girls for their May Queen. They
put wreath of flowers on, her head
and all went to gather flowers. After
they got back it was getting late and
they departed for their homes, after
saying they had enjoyed the day.
Ruth Knedler, age 10,
r. F. D. No. 8, Pulaski, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
STORIES and LETTERS
wILpA HAS MOVED TO NEBRASKA
Miss Elya Huffman

Miss Elva Huffman 1.
Dear Junior Friend.-1 thought l
would write to you. have not written
to the Junior page for long time.
When last wrote I lived in Jefferson
county. Iowa. not far from Fairfield,
hit we have moved since and we now
live in Nebraska.
We had our sale February ~ ana
we're pretty busy after that packing
things ready to leave.
NV papa and older brother came IN
the freight car, but Of course one had
to buy ticket.
NV mamma. my little brother and
sister and I started on February Is.
One Of the neighbors took us to Fair
field. The roads were so awful rough
that the man who took us broke his
carriage.
We left Fairfield, Iowa, about 4 p
m. We went through Abba, Melrose
and Charlton. was glad to see these
towns for had received cards from
Juniors living at each one Of them.
We got to Omaha about IL O'Clock
at night. We changed cars there and
then went on to Ashland, Nebraska
IL was dDUuL i " ClOlh VAASA W. o.
there. We went to hotel as we had
to lay over there 10 hours. The next
morning we telephoned to my uncle
who lives about six miles from Lyons
Neb., to meet us at Lyons at o'clock
About 2 o'clock We went back to the
depot and came on up to Lyons, which
is about Is miles from Ashland.
MY papa and brother came In three
days. =.
like to live in Nebraska real well
We live just three miles from the In
dian reservation and about IL miles
from the Missouri river. We are going
down there fishing next summer.
Do you 60 to school? do.
How many post cards have you got :
have about 300. They had post card
| shower for me before left Iowa.
got II cards.
would like to hear from you. will
answer all cards received from the
Juniors. Yours truly,
Vida Conger, age a..
| r. r. No. 4, Lyons, Neb.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06

grass and green moss and safely
bound it with reindeer sinews.
When the wind was blowing she
would hang the cradle on limb OF a
tree and the baby would go to sleep
listening to- the pine trees. W.
| When Hiawatha grew older the
birds and squirrels were his play
mates.
In the door on summer evenings Hia.
watha would listen to the pine trees
and the ripping of the water.
Not long after that man named
Iagoo came to see Nakomis. He saw
Hiawatha was getting to be big boy
and he said, "Come, my son, into the
forest" and he made bow of ash
wood and an arrow OF an oak bough
and tipped it with flint and winged 1t
with feathers and the cord was made
of deer skin.
Then Hiawatha went straightway
into the forest and he walked proudly
alone and the birds and squirrels said,
do not shoot us, Hiawatha," and the
rabbits leaped aside and said. DO not
shoot US, little hunter" Soon his sharp
eyes saw red deer. He knelt down on
one knee and shot, the deer fell to
the ground and he carried it proudly
home.
Then Nakomis took the skin of the
deer and carefully dried it. 1t would
make good winter cloak for Hia-
watha, she said. She cut the meat up
and invited some people and had a
feast.
Hiawatba's mother was as much
pleased when he caught a large fish
or killed deer as your. mother Is when
you have your lessons good at school.
HiaWatha wanted to go to the Rocky
mountains and Nakomis told him not
to go, but he went.
When he got there he spent many
days and then he went home and went
into the forest and spent seven days
and seven nights there. fs
When it was all over he wanted a
boat and he made one.
There was a fish named Nahama
which frightened all the Indians, and
he made up his mind to catch 1t. He
tried and tried and at last succeeded.
When Hiawatha came from his jour-
ney he saw a young woman named
Minnehaha.
He married her and took her home
with him.
A cold winter set in and many were
sick and died and among them was
Minnehaha. He buried her close to his
wigwam and put fire in front of it
every night.
Not long after that the white men
came here. They came in a great
canoe Hiawatha thought the white.
men were strange looking creatures.
Hiawatha said he was going on a
long and distant journey to the portals
of the sunset. On the shore stood Hia-
watha. He launched his birch canoe
for sailing. showed it forth into the
water and whispered, westward.
westward" @
Helen Sands, age H..
r r. No. 2. Agency, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06

change cars at Marshalltowns We
reached Cedar Rapids at 11:42 a. m.
Papa had come on, ahead Of mamma
and Josephine and l and he met us
at the depot and we came to the house
and then went over to our; uncle's for
dinner and afternoon we came back
and went to work.
We saw much beautiful scenery as
we came.
The Cedar river runs through the
city. IT. very pretty. There are a
great many bridges across it. There
are also many beautiful parks here.
They are nice now SO they surely will
be fine In the summer.
Well, I will close for this time.
Frances Norton, Age 13.
la 712 First Ave-, West.
Cedar Rapids, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
LITTLE LAMBS
NElIIE,S

Dear Junior have written to thu
Courier Junior once before but dill
not see it in print, so will write
again.
/ go to school at Union. My teachers
name is Lille Brown. like her fine
I read in the first reader.
L have two dolls.
We have fourteen little lambs
l have one little brother four years
old. His name is Russell.
My papa takes the Courier.
: would like to receive some paper
dolls. will close now. a.
Nellie Stump, age 6.
Selma, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
ALICE HAS TWO CATS.

Dear Editor and Juniors:
This is the first time have ever
written to the Courier Junior, and
will write about my pets. I have two
cats and two bantam chickens. The
cats are fine pets, one is grey and
white and the other is black except
one spot Of white under her chin.
Whenever the little grey one gets
hungry it stands on it's hind legs and
is always sure to get something. The
black one is a little older than the
grey one. He climbs up on the win
dow sill whenever he wants in or out.
My chickens names are Peter and
Bunny. They are yellow Bunny is
setting and her eggs will soon hatch.
Alice Chaddrick, age 10,
1926 n Sheridan Ave-, Ottumwa. la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
EDNA HAS 100 POST CARDS.

My Dear Friend Myrtle:'
am going to ask you how you are
for I heard you were sick yesterday.
am just fine and I have not been tardy
or absent this year from school,. I am
in the fourth grade and my teachers
name Is Mrs. Osborne.
We have ten little chickens and Ave
more hens are setting.
I have one hundred postal cards.
have just been making my flower gar
den. I have planted sweet peas,
pansies, asters and cosmos. I got my
new hat Saturday and I like 1t. very
much.
Edna Griffis. age 10.
Charlton, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
SOME MORE BEAUTIFUL PoS
CARDS.

Rax,nning with this week we WI
send out post cards to all Juniors Wno o
have written recent letters ana WIZ
are not numbered among the pr'ze
The paper dolls will surely be sent
ont within week. 40
We would like the Juniors who ere
waiting for the paper dolls to write
,,s a short story on Patience" For the
hest story on this subject we WILL give
a beautiful signet ring.
Nv the way, several OF the juniors
MIN have been ranked among the prize
winners have forgotten to acknowledge
their prizes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
FOREST WRITES TO HIS COUSIN,

Ottumwa, Ia, May 3, 1911
Miss Grace Dixon,
Dear Cousin:
I received your letter few days
ago and was pleased to get it.
think you are doing fine with your
writing am glad you are we'll, as
this leaves me well. am going to
school every day, had week vaca-
ton and returned to school and went
into another grade. Am in the fifth
grade now. Miss Beeler is my teacher.
1 had her once before IN lower room.
Lawrence was sick all the week of
vacation. ~ ~:..z',. ~ ~
Well, Grace, wish you could see
my little ducks. Have you any yet?
Mine are three weeks old and the
mother to them has twenty little
chickens besides and she acts like she
thinks more of the ducks. | have
three little white rabbits. Sold two
last week. They went >to Agency to a
little girl for an Easter present. Well,
would like to- come to Kansas this
fall, and expect may. remember
the good times we had when l was
out there the last time. 1t is SO nice
to get out in the country. Do you re-
member when we turned the milk in
to the watering tank and had to dip
it out? l never had such a good time
since came home. 81.
Would like to have you come back
here, every place looks different than
it did when you, were here the last
time. Did you color any eggs Easter?
We didn't, but received fifteen Easter
postalus. Some were from the Courier
Junior. 4.
Well will, close for this time. Hope
to hear from you soon. %I.remain as
ever. Your Cousin,
.s Forest Weber, age 10,
1906 E. Main St., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
TRY, TRY, AGAIN.

The only sound that woke the ST.
lence in the library was the tick, tick,
tick of the old clock on the mantle.
It seemed to the only occupant of
the room IA small dark haired lad of
eighty that the old clock took a grim
pleasure in the fact that because 1t
was so beautiful out doors enough to
tempt any boy to go fishing or swim
ing, that he. had hard lesson to get.
Finally the hateful old tick, tick,tick,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
RUrH's DEAR TEACHER rs DEAD.

Dear Cousin Gladys Garrett: IS,
cannot be satisfied my dear cousin,
until write and tell you about nv
dear teacher Bulah IIoslzinson L had.
only been going four days to her
school, She was taken ill with typhoid
fever and only lived one short week
We had not found the least reason t3
dislike her. She was the delight to
both young and old. am convinced She
liked nothing more than her scholars,
and her scholars bought her nice
wreath to- show their love and respect
for her.
Ruthie Green, age 10,
- -. Milton Iowa K
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
HERBERT CAN Pillow.

Dear Editor:
l am a. little boy tweleve years old.
live on a farm. We have four horses
and two colts. like to work. I can
pillow. We have three little calves. go
to school every day, but stayed homo
last week to work. I have, a dog. 1t is
black. Ny teachers name is Miss Mae
Howell. She is a good teacher. ], am in
the third reader. I have a sister and
brother. My sister is seven years old.
Ny brother is five years old.
Hobart Edgren, age IL,
OskaloOsa, Ia, .R. No. 4.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
A Humorous
Frog

"A frog in pond, ever soaking,
Developed mania for Joking.
Said he, I'm a wit,
There is not doubt of it."
Then laughed at his own silly croaking.
A crocus that grew by an oak
Seemed to him a good theme for
joke.
Said he, "It's shame
Though a crocus by name
You are really unable to croak."
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
GLADYS FIRST LETTER.

Dear Junior: AS have never writ
ten to the Junior before. will write.
I have a sister. and brother their
names are Vera and Orville. We have
pony his name is Dandy;
I have little black pig, and three
kittens. We have IT'S little chickens.
Ny mamma has been sick. I do not
go to school. I had the measles.
AS my letter is getting long. will
close hope I will receive set of
paper dolls.
Gladys l. Casady, age 9.
PackWOOd, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

& Use ono side Of the paper only.
3. write neatly and legibly, using
ink or a sharp lead pencil. =,
3. Always sign your name TN full
and state your age.
4. Number your pages.
s. Do not copy stories or poetry and
send us as your own Work.
6. Always state choice OF prize on
a separate piece Of paper, fifth name
and address in full.
I. Address the envelope to Editor,
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
The Courier Junior
Published BY
THE cOURIET. PRINTING Co.
oTTUMWA, IOWA.
nAT,LpA pEvEREAUx
EDITOR.
ONE MORE BIG LETTER PRIZE.

Dear Juniors.-We are receiving 81, SO
many Interesting letters that the
judges beg us to continue the confess 'a IS
a command in the awarding OF prizes
and consequently their request must be
Granted. We will offer the same prize'
q hox OF letter paper and a fountain
nan for the best letter sent IN between
TODAY and Thursday, May IL.
vida Conger is the prize winner
today.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
CARRIE WAS FLOWER HUNTING.

Dear Editor: ~.
AS have written to the Junior page
before I thought I would write again.
go to school every day. Our teachers
name Is Lola Reynolds. I am in the
primer class. like to go to school. NY
playmates are Elsie and Delpha Goudy
and Hazel Pitcher have little dog.
His name Is Trip. My sister and went
flower hunting Saturday. We got all
we could carry.
Carrie Dyer, age g.,
Floris, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-06
EDNA GOES TO SCHOOL EVERY
DAY.

Dear Editor:
1 am little boy twelve years old. /
out. in ths country south Of Munter-
Vile. I go to school every day. My
teachers name is Miss Ella Harlem. I
like her fine. My studies are reading,
writing, arithmetic, music, language,
geography and spelling. have four
sisters and three brothers. s~a
Edna Gustavison, age 10,
Dudley, Ia.