davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
THE SURPRISE.

Twas about dusk, and still Aunt
Mary sat patiently waiting. E
The girls, Mary and Ellen had not
returned home, from school yet. The
girls parents were visiting in some
distant city and Mary and Ellen were
staying with Aunt Mary. #.".
Presently Aunt Mary heard some
whispering "Sh, am afraid Aunt
Mary viii hear you know sometimes
she is in the sitting room"
Yes l know but couldn't we pos
sibly invite one more? 1 was wonder
ing if VIC couldn't invite Mrs. Brown.
too. .s
"We'll see answered Mary, the
older girl. w .-s
The girls We're now in the sitting
room with Aunt Mary. Girls, where
I'VE you been? I have been worrying
o'.~"t you fer quite a while -.
on shall see. soon,' answered the
girls together. %
Nothing more was spoken about the
girls being late. that evening. but
just three days later. Aunt Mary was
very much surprised because she
learned that the girls had been invit-
ing people to Halloween surprise
party on Aunt Mary. They had been
inviting the people Oh the night they
had been so late in returning from
school.
Zella Rush, age IS,
1918 n. Wapello St., Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25

A father and his son were sitting on
a hillside one evening. 1t was near
sunset. ," .-
A flock of sheep was feeding quietly
nearby. Soon stranger and his dogs
passed by. When the sheep saw the
dog they grew alarmed and ran into
some thorny bushes nearby and tore
off some of their wool.
When the boy saw this he grew
troubled and said, See father, these
bushes ought to be cut down, so they
would not hereafter harm the sheep.
AS they were speaking little bird
flew down and took the wool from the
bushes and flew into high tree.
The father then said, IF the bushes
had not been there and the sleeps
wool had not caught in them, the bird
would have had no soft lining for It's
nest. Now would you like the bushes
cut down. -.
NO" said the boy, LET them stay
+, The father then said, "All people
depend on one another, just as the
bird depended on the sheep for the
wool for it's nest"
Cecil Manus. age II.
40 T0wa avenue OttumWa Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
THE COURIER JUNIOR
Published by
-HE COURIER PRINTING co"
oTTUMWA, IOWA.
mATILpA DEvEREAUx,<
EDITOR.
THE THANKSGIVING CONTEST.

Dear Juniors: A few more days
and Thanksgiving will be here. It IS
nearly two centuries. since our tore
fathers met in day Of Thanksgiving.
How many Juniors will tell us about
this first Thanksgiving. We hope all
OF them will. You know we announc'
ed a Thanksgiving contest last week
and as a few days remain until the
close We will reprint the contest sub
tects again. We want the Juniors 10
write on one of the following subjects
tho best story writer getting a
"Thanksgiving box" as prize:
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING. ,-~ =,
THANKSGIVING in, THE CITY.
WHY We CELEBRATE THANKS
GIVING. % .e..,,
THANKSGIVING ON THE FARM.
JACKS IDEA or THANKSGIVING.
JULlA's IDEA OF THANtksGlv-
ING. r.. 5.t.. i 81 .,l, I, js......
This contest will close Mohday,
Nov. 81, and tho stories will first "ap-
pear Thanksgiving day, Now 3O..5A8% y
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.

On the evening of April IS, 1775,
General Gage, commanding the Brit
'ish forces at Boston, sent 800 men to
destroy the military stores which the
Americans had placed at Concord.
But this movement was detected by
friends in Boston and beacon light
was hung in the north church tower,
as signal to those in the country.
| All night long the farmers were
mastering in arms, and at dawn when
the British arrived at Concord they
found band Of minute men drawn up
to receive them. and here the first
blood was shed in. the cause OF the
Americans freedom. ~
The British pressed on and destroy
ed the stores at Concord, but by this
time the colonies We're aroused and
We're under arms, and the British
were SO hard pressed that their re-
treat became flight and all would
have been either killed or captured
had not fresh troops with cannon,
come from Boston to aid and protect.
Josephine Oliver, Age Is. Is
Selma, Iowa, Route No. 1, Box ga.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
Margaret Miller, aged I.
$40 Elm street. Ottumwa, Iowa.
a BEAR THAT CAPTURED 4 THIEF

Late one afternoon an Italian and
a bear stopped at farm house anu
asked to stay all night. He made Bruin
dance. then he shut him up in the
barn for safe keeping. 81. = es ~,
During the night the family were
aroused by a great noice coming from
the barn, and some one was crying
Help! Help" The family ran to the
spot, followed by the bears master.
They found the bear with his arms
around a man, hugging him tight.
The bear was muzzled so he could 40
the man no great harm. although ne
was terribly frightened. He proved to
be dishonest neighbor who had come
to the barn to steal a fine calf. In the
darkness he had stumbled over the
bear who had seized and held him
fast. His master learning how matters
stood, called out Hug him Bru1n." The
bear continued to hug him until the
farmer, thinking he had been punished
enough, told the Italian to make the
bear release him. Bruin was given
great piece Of honey comb as reward
and no doubt he wished he could catch
a thief every day. -+
W. Milton Bradshaw, age 12,
E Batavia, Ia, Box 9S,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
YELLOWSTONE PARK

Yellowstone national park Is in the
northwestern part of Wyoming 1t has
beautiful scenery and geysers. s..
A geyser is a spring which every
little while spouts hot water up in the
air. Rocks are dissolved in that hot
water. When the water gets cool after
it has reached the surface, that min.
eral matter is deposited in beautiful
colored terraces and basins around the
springs. r,.~.,I g."
Long before the mines of the plateau
section were discovered, band OF
people called Mormons, who were
driven from the settlements east or
the Mississippi river, journeyed over
the mountains and settled on Great
Salt lake. They irrigated the land and
raised good crops. Other people came
to the settlements, until at last this
region was put in the union as one
state, namely, Utah. ..a .,... ts.,.
This is one Of my school compost
tions. e. .>-ss~s ..-t e..
Margaret Miller, aged IL.
51O Elm street, OttumWa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
WOULD Witt THE HOLY LAND.

Dear Editor:
Could you make room for one more
letter as I want to join the Junior fun.
I will write today about the land !
would visit.
II ever get a chance to travel over
the country I would like to visit Asiatlc
Turkey. In Asiatic Turkey we find
many, scenes connected with the bible.
Here we find the Dead sea which was
so full Of salt in the days Of the bible
that no fish could live in its waters
and no vegetation could grow on lts
banks. It lies between two mountains
and is 1890 feet below the sea level.
Next Of Importance is the JORDAN
river where Christ was baptized ps
John. It Is also a. very beautiful river.
We also find Palestine in Turkey.
Both the Dead sea and the Jordan river
are in Palestine.
We also find Galilee city OF import
ance in the olden days and Bethlehem
the birthplace Of Christ, where the
wise men were guided by the star ann
were lead to the manger where the
baby lay on Christmas day.
+ Jerusalem, an important city, was
the holy city of the Jews and the
scene Of many events described In the
bible. F
~" Emma Brown,
-..u. West Point Ia, r. No. i.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25

States claimed this country by right
of discovery and exploration. NJ
The third addition to the United
States was Florida, which was bought
from Spain in 1921. Texas was the next
addition to the United States. Texas
was at one time a part Of the Mexi-
can possessions, but rebelled and be-
came q republic, having its own presi-
dent. 1t was annexed by Its own con-
sent to the United States, in 1S45.
) After the : annexation Of Texas,
Mexico and the United States went to
war.+Mexico ceded to the United States
southern California and other terri
tory near. This territory was added In
1848 and 1851
The United States bought Alaska
from Russia in 1867.
Hawaii and other islands were ad-
ded in 1898. The Philippines and other
islands were ceded by Spain In 1898.
Dewella Bruins, age l3.
l% 416 North Court st.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
THE CAM EL

The camel is about eight feet i'll
height The camel has long legs ana
long neck. The shape Of the Gamer
ia comething like a horse. The came IS
are light brown or dark brown. me
hnmns are lust below the neck There
are two kinds Of camels, the ARABIAN
and the Bactrian camel.
The camel has cushioned feet anu
calloused knees SO when 1t kneels uoWl
on rocks or sand it will not hurt tneh'. l
The camel has long eye lashes 70 Keep
the sand out Of his eyes
There is flap SO as to keen the SAND
out of the nostrils, that is Wnen me
sand blows he flaps this over MS nose
| but he leaves little crack SO ne can
breathe. The camel eats dates, anu
grass. and the camel chews his food
into a ball first and then it goes down
Il into a pouch where it stays Till the
camel wants to eat the food again
then some how or other it comes up in
his mouth again and then ne cheWs
| it and it goes into his regular stomach.
The camel has different stomachs, one
! the nouch and the other the regular
stomach.
| The camel is used for hair, skin
flesh, riding, and carrying things. The
home of the camel is in central and
southern Asia, and northern Africa.
The samel's nickname is "ship OF the
desert" The camel whines II there IS
! too big load on his back and Will not lot
get UP. The cameps kneel down when
loaded.
| Caroline Tout,
Ottumwa Street, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25

ready to go. We thought We would 60
to New York and start from there. \. .5
4 We started from Russell. Iowa. July
the fifth. We had fine time going.
Wetarrived there July the eighth. We
were certainly very tired after riding
on the train so long. We stayed in
New York a week and then started on
our long journey. The name of the
steamer in which we sailed was the
Vermont es .@% 5#
+, We had very interesting time on
the ocean. At first we were seasick.
but we soon began to get used to it
and have a good time.
One night storm came up and of
course We were all frightened but by
morning it was calmed down and all
the danger was over. <sge...
: We went through the straits of
Gibralter. While we were passing
through there one of the girls said
"Oh, look at those seaguls." Looking
up ~ saw cloud of birds flying over
our heads. When we had gotten a
little farther on our way we could see
the Rock OF Gibralter." 3
\ On the other side OF the rock is a
fort. This fort belongs to Great
Britain.
aOf course we were anxious to visit
that place, so we decided to stay, there
a day or two. .... .fy- =.
+ We all had a fine time, but we were
ready to go when 1t was time to. 1t
was in the evening when We entered
the Nile river. It was very interest
Ing place. Large flocks of all kinds
Of birds filled the air. We could see
some Of the crocodiles on the bank
summing themselves and some in the
water splashing about; The change
in scenery was so gradual that we
could not realize that we$were coming
into the widest parts of.Africa.
We landed at Cairo. Cairo is the
capital of Egypt. Near there are the
great pyramids which are the Oldest
structures in the world. =,
We planned to go and visit them the
day after; We arrived. We all thought
1t was a great signt and we were more
glad than ever that we had came to
Egypt for our vacation. e.
% The next day we went to see the
Sphinx. We had never seen anything
so wonderful before.
AS soon as we got back we sent word
home at once and told them Of the
Sphinx and pyramids.
One day we went out visiting the
city of Carlo which we had been too
busy to see before.
We were enjoying the sights when
someone said where are Tom and
Lee?" We all looked around frightened
almost to death and sure enough they
were missing. We started out at once
to hunt for them. We hunted until
it was dark and then gave up discour-
aged. Near. midnight they came in.
They said they had gone away in order
to frighten us and had gotten lost.
We stayed in Egypt two weeks. We
returned by the same route We came.
We had long story to tell when we
reached home and were all glad to see
the folks there. -,
-. Iona G. Hancock, age 13,
Melrose, Iowa, r. r. No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
LITTLE WHITE PIGS AND WHITE
DOG, ESTALEEN'S PETS.

Dear Juniors: -.
This is my first letter to the Juniors.
read the Junior page every week.
like it fine There are so many inter-
esting letters in it. ... .s> g. -. =,
I have three sisters and one brother.
Their names are Pauline, Mamie, Ann
and Orlo. Il ~ -
I live one mile from Norwood. 4-,
have a mile and one-half to walk
to school. My teachers name is Mrs.
Matson. l like her fine. My studies are
geography arithmetic, language. read
ing and spelling. like arithmetic and
spelling the best.
MY schoolmates are Ava Pennington
and Della Harvey. There are about 40
pupils in our school. ! have not missed
day Of school, but my sister has
missed one day.
For pets we have a little white dog
and two little white pigs.
Well as my letter is getting long !
will close. - g. s.
Estaleen Crooks, age T.,
r. ~ Lucas, Iowa, r. No. !.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
ottumwa Street, ottumwa, Iowa.
A SCHOOL OF coMPAsATIoN OF
IOWA.
lows IVA. discorered by the French

Iowa was discovered by the French
in 1873.
In 1903 the United States bought
from France vast territory Known
as the Louisiana purchase, in which
Iowa was included.
In 1904 to 1888 Iowa was part OF
Indiana. Missouri, Michigan ana WAS
consin territories successfully.
Iowa contains ninety mine counties.
and each county has an organized
government of it's own.
The county officers consist OF
board of supervisors. auditor clerk OF
courts, treasurer, recorder, county at
tcrney sheriff, superintendent CT
schools and coroner.
Des Moines is the capital of Iowa,
The largest river in Iowa Is the
Des Moines river.
Iowa is bounded on the north by
Minnesota. on the east by the Missis-
sippi, on the south by Missouri and
on the west by the Missouri river.
aura Rogers. Age Is.
Abba, Iowa, Route NO. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25

teachers convention at Des Moines.
I have q black pony, His name is
Prince. When 1t Is muddy ride him
to school. When 1t began to rain yes
terday told my brother Clell that
Prince must be put under shelter. So
he opened the gate and let him 90 to
the barn. could not do without my
pony SO want to take good care Of
him. .4
For pets I have a kitty, goat and a
dog. love my do1 the best Of all. He
is always SO happy when come home
from school.
l have a sled and in the winter I
like to slide down the hills. have
some skates and ! like to skate on the
ice.
IA Mildred Huffman, age IL,
Bloomfield, Ia, r. No. /.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25

Dear Editor and Juniors:
I though would write on the SUD
iect' "A Nutting Party" One year theirs
were a good many hickory nuts In MT.
Browns pasture and the children Were
going on Saturday to pick them UP.
There was six In the party. Ine,r
names were Harry, James, Frank,
Grace. Helen and Margaret. Harry
was II years old. James II. Fra nk >.
Grace 10, Helen and Margaret g. They
cot to the woods at 10 o'clock. The% rs;
picked up nuts until they We're tired.
They then gathered flowers and put
up a swing. It was dinner time tnerl
SO they spread out the lunch:
When dinner was over tney plcheu
up nuts until o'clock. heh @ ,hea ~,
started for home all saying they hau
had good time.
~. ....= ~ # Selma, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
ETHEL's SCHOOL.
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors: -H
will tell you about my school. We
have seventeen scholars. am IN the
7th grade I study reading, history,
arithmetic, geography, grammar. phys
iology and spelling. like to go to
school. like geography the best of
any OF my studies. My teachers, name
Is Miss Villa Miller. ,,.,fESt - a5s
I have a little brother named Har-
old. He is five months old. He weighs
over 22 pounds. r 5@ - r..
I would like to receive a card from
some Of the Juniors. ~"
Ethel Rhodes, age II, II
:,a Hillsboro, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
after the dog in order to catch the

coon.
Soon after this the other dogs were
heard and that warned US that there
were more coons in the field. gS% 9tS
One thing that >. you notice. about
coons is they never stay together.
They are always alone. s4
We divided our selves. two together,
and we are now on the chase. The dogs
went running after the coons, through
thea field, so we followed the dogs. :
I The dogs soon led us to an old dead
tree near the middle of the field,
where the dogs were barking. We then
knew they had found coon IN the
tree. .E,
There was no time wasted. We built
a fire and looked around US. Near the
top we saw dark object we knew TO
be a coon which we had smoked out.
We decided to climb the tree, which
one of us did, and tried to knock 1T OFT
the branch, which he did. The coon
fell to the ground and then the dogs
grabbed him. The fight was fierce,
but after while one Of the dogs
grabbed him by the neck and shook
him, and laid him on the ground,
dead g',f.<
There were nearly twenty coons
killed that night, but we lost one OF
our dogs, which was killed, and one
other injured. @ ~
There were many other fierce fights
with the coons. gi,. :. - ".
Tired and worn out. We left for
homo. tt. Es4
Mildred Johnston, aged IA.
'o1o uackherrv street Ottumwa Iowa :.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
The Sandman

The rosy clouds float overhead, m
The sun is s:'going down;
And now the sandman's gentle tread
Comes stealing through the town.
white sand, white sand,'' he softly
cries,
And as he shakes his hand,
Straigthway there lies on babies eyes
His gift Of shining sand.
Blue eyes. grey eyes, black eyes, and
brown, a,
As shuts the rose, they softly close,
when he goes through the town.
From sunny beaches far away
Yes, in another land &.
He gathers up at break of day
His store Of shining sand.
No tempests beat that shore remote,
No ships may sail that way; 60.
His little boat alone may float
Within that lovely bay.
Blue eyes. gray eyes, black eyes, and
brown, ~. '.&-.
AS shuts the rose, they softly close
when he goes through the town.
He smiles to see the, eyelids close
Above the happy eyes;
And every child right we'll he knows
Oh, he is very wise!
But II. he goes through the land.
A naughty baby cries,
His other hand takes dull gray sand
To close the wakeful eyes.
Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and
brown,
AS shuts the rose, they softly close
when he goes through the town.
So. when you hear the sandman's song
Sound through the twilight sweet,
Be sure you do not keep him long
Awaiting on the street.
Lie softly down, dear little head,
Rest quiet, busy hands.
Till on your bed, his good night said
He strews the shining sands.
Blue eyes. gray eyes, black eyes, an6
brown.
As shuts the rose, they softly close
when he goes through the town.
Margaret Vandegrift.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
THE TWO BROTHERS.

There once lived two brothers who
We're as different as a summer day is
from a rainy one.
Carl was q year Older than his
brother Tom, though every one
thought Tom to be the oldest for Carl
was always dreaming Of what he was
going to do while Tom always did
them without dreaming them.
Their father was dead and their
mother was sickly lady and could do
no work SO they had to live on what
little the boys could make. by
One day Tom had gone out to try
and make some money While Carl was
in the house dreaming and not offer
Ing to 90 and help.
Suddenly the door few open and in
came Tom all excited and in his hand
he held a five dollar gold piece.
His mother asked Tom We're did you
get an that money.
Listen, and l will tell you said
Tom. "As I was going down the
street | saw a little girl standing in
the road of a big car. can out and
saved her and her father gave me this
and he said he wanted an Office boy
and that would do
Toms mother was very glad.
In after years the little girls father
took Tom in to partnership with him.
And Tom could make comfortable
home for his mother, and Carl still
goes Oh, dreaming OF things he will
never do.
Blanche Byrum.
Belle Fouche, S. D.. Box "GG.
T-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

1. Use one side Of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
Ink or a sharp lead pencil. A..
8. Always sign your name In full
and state your age. 49,
4. Number your pages.
5. Do not copy stories or poetry
and send us as your own work.
6. Always state choice of prize
on separate piece of paper, with
name and address. in full. a. #
Z. Address the envelope to Editor,
Couritr Junior, Ottumwa. Iowa. y
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
DELPHA a NEW JUNIOR.

Dear Editor:
I would like to joint the Juniors.
Papa has taken the Courier for
long time.
I like to have mamma read the let
ters to me. am a little girl Ave years
old. 1 don't go to school but hope to.
in the spring. can read some.
1 have big dog named Carlo.
My dollies names are Dolly Dimpie,
Pearl and Pet. have some kitties. !
will close as my letter is getting long.
.- Delpha L. Hoover,
n. WEI Bunch, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
MARY SEEMS TO LIKE EVERY.
BODY AND EVERYTHING.

Dear Editor:
I like to read the Junior page every
Saturday. thank the Juniors for the
card and was very glad to receive Il
1 go to schcc: every day. My teach
studies are writing, reading. history
arithmetic. physiology, geography and
spelling. Some Of my writing Is the A.
B. c., etc. "a s%5,e. &.H%%
My papa carried the mail on route
No. 2. I have gone around the route
with hi,n.
/ would like to see some of the Jun
iors some time. gathe .ed flowers last
summer once or twice every day. like
to gather flowers. have lots Of fun at
school. &E .~s
Mary Welsh, age II, ...
sN Lovilia, Ia, II. No. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
PRETTY THANKSGIVING PosTALs.

We want the Juniors to write some
good letters also some short stories,
the writer's receiving in return
Thanksgiving post cards. Any OF the
following subjects will make good
story: ~ ,g... .e..L. KS Et.43 -.
THE WESTERN Hemisphere.
THE poo AND HIS SHADOW.
THE JOURNEY. .@
ALosT DOG.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
|DEWELLA's COMPOSITION WHILE
IN FIFTH GRADE. +
Ihe Growth of the United states.

At the close of the Revolutionary
war, the United States extended from
the Mississippi river to the Atlantic
ocean, and south as far as Florida.
In 1903 the province of Louisiana
was bought from France This addf-
ton doubled the size of the United
States at that time.
In 1871 Robert Troy, the first sea
captain who sailed around the world
under the American flag, discovered
the Oregon country. Lewis and Clark
we're sent to explore the Oregon coun-
try ~ nNesident Jefferson. The United
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
MILDRED WOULD LIKE. TO GET
- ACQUAINTED.

Dear Junior: 49,. Z
enjoy reading the letters that are
published in the Courier Junior. wish
could form an acquaintance with
some Of the little girls that have writ
ten such beautiful letters. -
go to school and study reading,
arithmetic, geography, history, phyi-
ology, language and spelling we bad
two days of vacation last week. Onl.
teacher, Gladys Neuman. went to the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
Aduentu tures
of Martin
K1ouer

Little Martin Klover was sent on an
errand quite early in the morning, but
he stopped to play by the way, and
played hai the forenoon. In the
meantime the whole family had decid
ed on picnic, and they could not
wait TO Ai:-.al But Mrs. Klover left
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
STORIES and LETTERS
A TRIP TO EGYPT.

Several of my friends and myself
thought We would take a trip to Egypt
for our summers vacation in 1909.
OF course there was lots to be done
and it kept us pretty busy getting
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
SCHOOL COMPOSITIONS.

We are we'll pleased with the way
the Juniors are sending in their school
compositions. We, Of course, want
more school compositions as the con.
test does not close until Nov. so.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
"oscEoLA.'

In an Indian reservation. III indian
Territory, about twenty years ag
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-11-25
MAGGIE AND THE GYPSlES.

149 Iowa avenue, Ottumwa, Iowa.