davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
Harper Goodman and the Masquerade

SON off But she found the child very III
and was waiting with the mother until
the doctor should come. Consequently the
maid looked into a tenantless room. Horror
was in the girls face when she realized
that she was alone in the big house, and
a burglar-or something worse-at the
back door. Mr.. Goodman was out Of town
on business and Gladys and Annie were
staying over night with their grandparents
at the outskirts Of the city, The house,
maid thought Harper already gone 10 the
party and had no suspicion whatever Of
his being the person at the back door.
For moment the maid thought the
matter over. She was a big, strong Irish
girl. able 10 hold her own in physical
strength against a man. And she knew
her own powers, too. So she thought and
thought for minute or two. Then she
said half aloud: "Ill do It, begorra. There
may be reward fer him. An money
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
A Timely Rescue.
By John Ashby, Aged II Years, Fairnont
Neb. Red Side

By John Ashby Aged II Years, Fairmont.
Neb Red Side.
''Too-e-e-e." sounded the auto whistle on
the great airship, Eagle" as it came from
tho shed on the edge of the fair grounds
with six men pushing 1t.
"An right" sounded the boyish voice Of
Bob Norton aged II years, as he cranked
up the motor and took his seat at the
steering apparatus.
On the other side of the city on the
banks of the Mississippi river. a little boy
played beside a little cove and although
eleven feet deep.
1t was at this time that the Eagle" left
the judges stand and was speeding toward
the park, which the airships had to round
and come back, the winner receiving a
beautiful cup. AS all the other airships
had come back, and none were as fast
as Bobs, he was sure he could go.
AS Bob was coming back across the
Mississippi land no other had made such
good time as he. he heard scream and
saw the boy fall into the cove. Bob in
stantly shifted the elevation rudder and
with graceful swoop the Eagle" reached
the place where the boy had fallen and Rob
caught the belt Of the little boy and drew
him into the airship and then landed.
Bob saw woman run from house and
soon she was hugging the little boy and
thanking Bob at the game time.
1t proved she was Bob's sister whose
husband had died recently and she moved
to Bob's house to keep house for him and
Bob never regretted the loss of the cup.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

school. She was bright for child Of her
age and she loved to help her mother.
One day her mother got some cherries
and Helen asked II she could pick the
stems off. Her mother said yes. She had
picked several Of them as she went in and
asked II she might stop.
There are just a few left" she said
You might as well do them dear" said
her mother
So she started out and one thing and an
other attracted her until it was fully ten
minutes when she returned. Then what
should she see but Tim, the dog running
off with the last few cherries in his mouth
She began to chase him and when her
mother called her she was saying "aaughty
dog"
s Helen" said her mother lit Is not Tins
fault that you did not finish your task
IL is just your own fault" Then she added
gently, which made Helen cry: Remember
this, If task is once begun, never leave
1t until it is done"
Helen understood and always tried to re-
member it.
This story brings to mind two helpful
thoughts which will benefit everyone If
they remember them
First, no matter what excites you, speak
gently.
Second, whatever you undertake to do
you should finish.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
tFirst PRICE,
Butterflies.

BY Helen Verrn, ex-Queen. Aged II
Years. The Strehlow, No. -, Omaha
Blue Side.
Here is an experience 1 had last summer
which l think was very interesting.
One sunny day in June l was walking in
the garden, when l noticed a lot of big
brown caterpiilars, not the kind with fur,
these were large and smooth. They were
ell over the vines. 1 picked up three and
took them into the house and put them in
a fish-globe filled with nice fresh grape
leaves, because that is what they eat.
Every morning l put fresh leaves in.
And by and by they began to spin. Then
l put them in a candy box filled with
leaves and made lot of holes in the top
for air. In two days l looked in the box
and found there were only three cocoons
in the box, and each one was fastened up
on the top Of the box by a silk thread
they had made.
After about three months the cocoons
began to change colors, they got dull blue,
green and red.
And one day, about week later found
a dear little butterfly. 1t was very small
and its wings were all wrinkled up.
took IL on my finger 1t stood there, and
after a few minutes its wings began to
stretch out and the wrinkles disappeared
and there was large butterfly on my fin
ger. With it's wings spread out flat on a
post card 1t would about cover it. The
wings were black with blue edge, and
red, green and blue dots along the edge.
put 1t on a flower and 1t soon flew away.
In few days l had two more, all three
were alike.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

The time set for the party was o'clock
sharp and It was to last two and a half
hours This would give the young folks
Gall. boys and girls in their teens) plenty
OF time to reach home before II the hour
when they must be abed
As has been said of them Mr.. and Mrs,
Smith were royal entertainers Of young
people and their pretty and witty 16-year-
old Bessie was quite as hospitable and
gracious as were her parents. The guests
arrived punctually and a whispered hub
bub filled the spacious rooms All were
masked and each was trying to hide his
or her Identity. thus they held their voices
in whispers or talked in a high falsetto
Key.
Harper Goodman was a trifle late getting
ready for the party. He dressed in the
harm in the rear Of his own home. He was
anxious to try his disguise on his mother
first and IL she failed to recognize him,
he would then hurry on to the party, Hav-
ing completed his masquerade toilet
which was that Of a trsmp-he went to
the kitchen door and knocked. He did not
wear a false face. for makeup. a full
wreath of struggling whiskers so disguised
him that he would not have recognized
had blackened his eyebrows giving to his
countenance a dogged. heavy look The
rough black beard covered most OF his
lower face, while a SLOUGH hat. drawn
well down, shaded the upper part
Tho hOusemaid opened the door in re-
Spouse TO Hsrper's rap, and on beholdlng
the suspicious-looking character there did
not invite him in. On the contrary. she
pushed the door almost shut in his face
peeping out through the crack at him.
"Pd like 10 speak with Mrs Goodman, '
said Harper. speaking In his natural
voice.
''lll tell her." responded the maid.
Then she banged the door In Harper
face, turned the key and rushed TO her
mistress room on the second floor. But
Mrs Goodman had gone across the street
10 inquire about a nighbor's sick child
She knew that HaT1Ar was preparing to
go TO the masquerade party. and that he
would be sometime al his toilet SO abe
decided 10 make the few minutes neigh
b0rly call, returning in time 10 see her
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

thief!' she called out to Harper And
the surprised fellow heard her stamping
hurriedly out Of the kitchen. Then he
heard her bang the street door behind her
At first Harper smiled: "She thinks I'm a
tough character" he unused. Then, find
ing himself locked in the buffers pantry,
he began calling loudly TO his mother.
He did not know that she had gone across
the street.
In vain did Harper call. No one re-
sponded Presently, being tired out, he
decided to walt. But II was not long be-
fore he heard the street door open into
the hall. The footsteps came on 10 the
dining room. There we're two persons
walking. Harper could make that out.
But neither was his mother. He could
make out her light step among many
others. But he was not long kept In sus-
pense. The key turned in the door locki
the door was flung open and a dark form
filled the doorway, Then Harper made out
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

took Harper for a house breaker" said
Mrs. Goodman. II can trust you In the
future, and you are a brave girl"
Yes, no bad man is going to make a
haul while you ara here" laughed Har-
par But say, mamma. IT'S tough luck
to have TO Be arrested In ones own pantry.
Gee. IN be half an hour late ~ the party,
thought IT'S twenty minutes past
mnst put ON my flowing beard and hat and
be OFF,
Hope they won't run you In enrouts
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 the strange arrest. And all agreed
that Harper had enjoyed a most peculiar
experience.
Such a dilemma" said Bessie BEING
shut up in your own pantry. Wasn't thsre
any cake and cheese to cat while waiting
for the policeman Then everyone
laughed.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
Nannie's Visit at Grandma,s,

BY Mary l. Koewler, 1915 Corby St.,
Omaha. Red Side
Mamie had been sick and her parents de-
cided to send her to Rocky Nook, the
place where her Grandma Richmond lived.
When Mamie heard this she began to
feel we'll at once. She grew we'll and
strong and gained ten pounds that very
summer.
One day queer thing happened. Nam
MES grandma lived in stone house. The
front door opened on a beautiful green
lawn. The side door opened on a large
yard Mamie was playing on the grass
with Caesar. a large shepherd dog, when
she heard music. She ran and peeled
through the hedge. At the corner OF the
house was little boy playing flute and
monkey was dancing
Mamie went and told her grandma and
they went out on the lawn and her
grandma asked him where he lived and
where he came from.
He said he had no home and that he
came across the ocean in a ship. Then
Nannie's grandma said she needed a boy
TO feed chickens and carry wood
So the boy came to live at Grandma
Richmond's and the monkey came, too.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

the CLEAN of something bright In his face.
II was the muzzle Of a revolver. The dark
form was that of a policeman. Carry,
arms akimbo, and a look OF "Ah, my man
got you" on her face, stood just back OF
the policeman
up with your hands and come OUT
Tho officer spoke sharply, authoritatively.
Harper obeyed, too dumbfoundsd 10 SPEAK
at the moment But once in the lighted
dining room. he smiled. for he thought
the policeman must recognize him. He
knew the officer we'll, for his beat took
in the block in which Harper lived, and
Harper was in the habit Of passing q few
words with him OF a morning as he went
TO school.
Say. Mr.. Foley, don't you know me?'
asked Harper, just as the officer was
heading him toward the front hall
ASK no questions, my Teller" instructed
the officer. Go to the door as 1 tell you.
Miss Carry. open the front door for US"
Carry FASTENED to obey, saying she
went: Say, Mr.. Foley, II there happens
to be a big reward. don't forgit it's mine.
And a nice share Of it will go to you fer
maxim the arrest"
Sure. my girl" laughed Mr.. Foley. II
think I've got a man we've been lookin'
for a long time. He's in disguise, Ia
know them false whiskers anywhere.
march,"
Harper now saw that he was In a d.
lemna. Hands up over his head, he could
not drag off the hat and beard to 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 Carry was
about TO open It, It opened from the outside
and in stepped Mrs. Goodman She had no
time to ask questions about the strange
scene transacting in her hall, for before
the policeman or Carry, or even she could
speak. Harper all fear now gone, had
jerked off hat and whiskers and was cry
ing out. Mother, I've been arrested for
being in my masquerade costume"
Well, Of all the surprised persons in the
world. that policeman and Garry were the
most surprised. Carry stood open-mouthed.
not able to say a word. Mr.. Foley showed
his revolver into his pocket and tried 10
look unembarrassed. But his face was
crimson, and he looked like creeping
through the keyhole.
A few words from Harper and everything
was explained. Then Mrs. Goodman and
Harper laughed heartily. But the officer
beat a hasty retreat after hook meant 10
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;
Put, Mrs Goodman, Master Harper
looked Ike a bloke. Sure an he did. An
! thought thered be a big reward, so /
did"
You we're in the right since you mis-
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

lola Beddeo, Orleans, Neh
Marie Fleming, Osceola, Nsb.
Lotta Woods, Pawnee City, .Neb.
Earl Perkins, Reddington Nsb.
Edna Ennis, Stanton, Neb.
Lena Peterson, 2211 Locust St, E. Omaha.
Ina Carney, sutton, Clay county, Nebraska
Clara Miller, Utica, Neb.
Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Alta Wilken, Waco, Neb
Leo Beckord, Waco, Neb
Mae Grunke, West Point, Neb
elsie Stasnay, WILDER. Neb.
Frederick Ware, Winside, Neb.
Pauline Parks, York, Neb.
Edna BenlinB, York, Neb
Mary Frederick, York Neb.
Carrie B. Bartlett, Fontanelle, Ia
Irene Reynolds, Little Sioux, Ia
Ethel Mulholland, Box II, Malvern, Ia
Eleanor Mellor Malvern, Ia
Katherine Mellor, Malvern, la
Ruth Robertson. Manila, Ia
Margaret B. Wltherow, Thurman, Ia.
Bertha McEvoy, r. F. D. 3, Box 25. Mia
souri, Valley, Ia
Henry L. Workinger, 2O52 West Huron
Street Chicago.
Adlena Sorry, Monarch, wyo., Box 50.
Fred Sorry, Monarch. Wyo.
Pearl Barron. Monarch, wyo.
John Barron, Monarch Wyo
Edith Amend. Sheridan. wyo.
Pauline Squire, Grand. Okl
Fred Shelley, 2a0 Troup street, Kansas City,
Mo.
Mary Mcintosh, Sidney, Neb
Nellie Diedrick, Sidney, Neb
81 nice Wright. $50 North Logan street.
Fremont, NeD.
Carol Simpson. WILDER, Neb.
Phyllis Haag. $50 West Seventeenth street.
York, Neb.
Macile Moore. Silver City, Ia.
Omaha.
Dorothy Toneson, 4s4s North Thirty eighth
street, Omaha
Mabel Baker, Lander, Wyo.
Corinne Allison Robertson, WILDER, Neb.
Elizabeth Wright, 1922 South Thirty-fifth
Marion Staples, 1913 South Thirty-first
street, Omaha
Francis A. Dota2n. Pueblo. Colo.
Phyllis Corbett Sidney, Neb.
Edward Beckard. Waco, Neb
Ellen Peterson, F1fty-flrst and streets.
Hsiry Routing, l2s East First street. Grand
Jeanette Mcbride. Elgin. Neb.
Elizabeth Wright. 1922 south Thirty-fifth
avenue. Omaha,
Eunlce wright. $50 North Logan street.
sadie Finch, SOi5 Fourth avenue. Kearney,
Neb.
Minnie schlichting. Cedar Bluffs, Neb
Fay Calhoun Elm Creek, Neb.
Nellie l.. Olson. Vail. Ia
f Weiss. care Miller. 1856 East Third street,
Edith Mst fi Vss' sOs2 Ohio street, Omaha
Madelyn Schumacher, East Dubuque, III.
Carol Atkinson, $40 West One Hundred
and Twenty-third street. New York City.
Margaret Holland, David City. Neb.
Mildred Whitehead Mitchell, Neb.
Esther McNeal, Wayne, Neb
Katie Wendt 800 North Seventeenth street
Omaha.
Hsien Bartos. 2st4 South Fourteenth street,
Omaha
Christina stephan. 9O11 South Central
boulevard. Omaha
Gertrude Lenser, 2eO7 South Twenty-first
street Omaha
Forrest Perrin, B12 South phirty-seventh
street Omaha.
Frank Freeman, 1913 Georgia avenue
Omaha
Louise watkins. 25l4 e street. South
Omaha.
Reatf shelton, Checotah. oki.
Marion Albert Bradley. S16 North Nine
teenth street, Omaha.
Harold E. Paffenrath. s16 South Thirty
seventh street. Omaha.
Alice Thomas, 81 South Thirty-fifth street
Omaha
Ruth Shots, 22Ss West Trie street. Chicago
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

amt bad thing to have. I'll send 1t to
the auld folks in Ireland"
Then she went below.
She decided on the buffers pantry. It
being without on outside door or window
The door leading from the pantry into
the dining room she locked putting the
key into her pocket The door leading
into the kitchen she left open, the key on
the kitchen side Then she opened the
outside kitchen door and saw that her
man was stlll there. Mrs. Goodman says
please to step into the dining room" she
announced to Harper,
Thanks, num-" replied Harper smiI-
ing to himself, for he was pleased to note
that CGrry-the maid-did not guess who
he was Jest pass through the pantry,
sir" instructed Carry. very respectfully,
pointing the way.
Unsuspecting, Harper went as bid, and
just at the moment when he put his hand
on the knob OF the door leading into the
dining room 60 find IL locked Carry shut
the kitchen door behind him with a bang,
and turned te key. There you are, you
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
Honorable Mention.)
The SpongeS.

BY Ruth Klrchstein, Aged u Years, 2C2s
Maple Street, Omaha Red Side.
Many have never seen a sponge growing
and find It almost impossible to believe
that it is beautiful.
sponges are quite common on the rocky
shores of our own country. They do not
form large masses like the sponges grown
in warmer seas, which we import but the
smaller growths massed together often
cover a great space Of rock and are beauti-
fully colored. Some sponges are crimson
and some are green. while some of the
commonest are a brilliant orange yellow.
The sponges that are colored orange yell
low are often found near the low tide mark
on the rocks and covered by growing sea-
weed
Though It is moist and firm when It is
growing ii has still the feel" of sponge.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
Is Goodwin KnockinEr

Apropos OF the failure OF the reformeT
TO make Reno divorce a little less easy,
n. c. Goodwin said the other day:
Reno, instead OF improving, Is getting
worse and worse. l understand that the
Reno diyines are taking up law on the
side One or two divines sport signs on
their front doors that say:
cash marriages. up Come one, come
all
Then below:
Divorces our specially Record terms
and time
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
A Pertinent aus.tion.

'Dr. J, H. Jowett believes IL is the min
ister'R not the congregations fault II the
church doesn't go"
The speaker, q member Of the Fifth
Avenue Presbyterian church in New York,
smiled and continued:
"Dr. Jowett once told me that he sided
with the old lady who always went 70
sleep during sermon time.
Why don't you take snuff during the
Sermon the minister said to her. That
will keep you awake.
Why don't you put the snuff in your
sermon, Jr?'" retorted the old lady.-Nsw
York Times.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

Each little branch has a hole at the top
and on the exterior of the mass of the bath
sponge there are great numbers of such
holes.
the mouths of the sponge branches, and
they are known by the Latin name of
"oscula," which means little mouths"
They are not mouths, though The sponge
has single mouth when 1t is young, but
the adult sponge loses it.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
An Automobile Ride.

BY Cecil Shopen, Aged Years. 1915 Lafay-
cite Avenue, Omaha. Blue Side.
One afternoon man that my father
knew came and gave us an automobile ride
My little brother did not want to go.
He said, II want to stay with grandpa. :"
So he stayed and my other brother went in
his stead. We went up the Dundee car line
and passed the Happy Hollow club. After
that we saw several farms and little pigs
Then we saw some acres of corn. We
went pretty near Calhoun. hope we can
go again.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS

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paper only ana number the pages.
2. Use pen ana ink, not pencil.
3. Short and pointed articles viii
be given preference. DO not use
over 250 words.
4. Original stories or letters only
will be used.
8. Write your name, age and
address ut the top Of the first page.
First and second prizes of books
will be given for the best two CON-
tTtbuttons to this page each week.
Address all communications to
OHLDREN's DEPARTMENT
Omaha Bee, Omaha, Nsb.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
Presence of Mind.

The burglar. having pocketed all the
loose jewelry in sight which was not much,
roughly awoke the sleepers.
want them diamond earbobs o. yourn,
ma am" he said
Please don't tear them out of her ears
begged the husband; 'Ill detach them and
hand them to you myself"
'All right, sir. Quick, now. :"
Subsequently the burglar learned that he
had robbed the dwelling OF Prof. Presto,
the magician, and that the professor had
lions for the diamond earbobs.-Chicago
Tribune.
Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07

DING 20 the masquerade party
at Bessie smiths?'
1t was Jack Webster who
asked the question of Harper
IUQ Goodman, as the two boys
e ambled homeward from school.
Sure" replied Harper. Wouldn't miss
It for anything One always has such q
good time at the Smiths. Mr.. and Mrs.
Smith know just how to make the young
folks enjoy themselves. And Bessie is
Just a dandy little hostess Glad the party
comes off on Saturday night, for I've got
piles Of work to do on my spring exams.
And IT'S a bit hard to get up at to study
after spending the previous evening max
Ing merry. On Sunday morning l may lie
Gbed till half past s. Mother always
allows me to have breakfast in my room
on Sundays. Then l dress in jiffy and
so TO Sunday school with Gladys and
Annie"
Yes Sundays q sort OF rest day for
me, too" said Jack I'm glad the party
takes place Saturday night But what
are you going TO wear? I'm going as a
, knight of the Middle Ages"
Harper shook his head. I'm going 10
surprise you fellows he laughed. "shan't
tell even mamma about my getup I've
got 1t about ready now, but am doing
without the aid Of anyone"
We'll you can't disguise yourself so
that l won't know YOU" declared Jack
laughingly. Your broad shoulders and
foot ball swing give you away"
That's to be proven" laughed Harper
Then the boys parted. each going to his
own home.
The evening Of Bessie Smiths masquer-
Sds party arrived. and all the young folks
OF Bessie's set were full OF anticipa don
In many Of the homes there was hurry
and excitement laughing and planning
Girls were dressed 70 represent Morning
EVeninE, Dawa, Midnight, Fairies, Mother
Goose. old Mother Hubbard, Three Little
Maids from School and other characters
too numerous to mention Boys came &c
the party as Mephistopheles. Faust,
Knights, Princes. Kings, Clowns, Circus
Riders. Lion Tanners, Uncle Sam. Father
Time, Life and Death (hAnd In hand and
other characters, humorous. historic and
Snblsmatio.