davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
MARTHA WANTS TO EXCHANGE
POST CARDS.

Dear Junior Friends:-I saw in the
Junior page where you wanted some
of the Juniors to write letter to you
and haven't put in the Junior page.
am a little girl II years old. How old
are you? And when is, your birthday
Mine is the 23rd of January.
We have fourteen little pigs and
twelve little lambs.
would like to exchange cards with
you.
We have a little black dog and two
kitties. have got one doll and have
had 1t for. seven years.
Do you like to 60 to school? do.
What classes are you in? am in
the fourth reader, B history, B arith.
metic, B grammar, B physiology, B
geography and B spelling.
will close hoping to here from you
soon.
would like to exchange postal
cards with some Of the Junior girls.
Martha Scott, Age IL.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
An inexperienced
Gardener.

Mamma was away from home.
So little helpful Ned
Took the hoe and went to WORK
To weed the onion bed.
He worked away with energy,
Hoed everywhere around,
And when he'd done there didn't loom
A green thing from the ground.
When mamma came back home again
And saw what he had done
She threw her hands up In the air
And cried, "Why, bless you, son,
'Youve cut off growing vegetables,
Those spear SO green and bright,
Were onions Just acoming up
And not a weed In sight.
sAnd I have worked 80 hard today, "
Said disappointed Ned;
Z, Il wish things looked like what
they are
And not like weeds instead"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29

On Sunday, week before Easter,
my mamma told me that might have
an Easter party for few of my
friends. First, invited several children
to come to my home on the following
Sunday. All of them promised to come
and would be delighted to do so.
The week went too slow for all Of us.
At last the long looked for day came
Mamma decorated the parlor with rib
bons and small artificial chickens and
rabbits. The children clapped their
hands and cried with delight when
they saw it.
We played few interesting games
and then mamma brought in lunch.
After lunch we played again, and be-
fore they went home souvenirs were
distributed among them.
Each child went home declaring they
had had very pleasant time.
Henrietta Plaster, age IL,
Belle PLANE, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
was to put half dozen In the box.
He told us he got tWenty-six dozen.

was to put a half dozen In the box.
He told us he got twepty-six dozen. .
How many little chickens have you!
We have ninety-five little chicks.
was nine years old the 4th day OF
April When is your birthday? I
got quite few cards for my birthday.
Our school was out on the 18th OF
April. We had an excellent teacher
His name is Roy Gardner. We won't
have any more school until school be-
gins the first Monday In September.
am going to take music lessons OF
Mrs. G. w. Barber. Do you study
music?
We have planted our sweet peas
and have some garden planted. We
have radishes, lettuce, onions, beets,
parsnips, peas and potatoes planned.
What all have you planted?
I have two sisters married and one
brother. My oldest sister Leora lives
In Eddyville and she has little girl
named Vera. She Is very cute and
like 80 much to play with her MY
second sister Bessie, lives mile and
half from Fredric. My Oldest broth
err Joe, lives four miles west Of OF
tumwa. I am expecting to have
good visit with each one Of them this
summer. I have two brothers at home
there names are Leslie and Marshall.
hope you will answer, my letter
through the Courier Junior. would
like to exchange post cards with the
- ztf., pvth Rvr,,no Ace q
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
AN EASTER PARTY.

Dear Editor:
Once there was q little girl named
Mary. She was very good little girl,
She had a mamma and no papa. He
was dead.
She had been asking to have
party, but her mamma would not lei
her. They were rich people.
Her mamma sent her over to her
aunt's house for q day.
When she came home her mother
told her to go in the bedroom, that
there was card in on the bed for
her. 1t was at night and It was dark.
She went in and then her mamma
turned on the gas lights and she saw
twelve little girls.
They played and danced and sang
until o'clock, then they ate their sup
pers which consisted Of ice cream,
cake, eggs. and candy rabbits.
Then they hunted the eggs which
Mary's mamma had hid. Then they
played blind mans buff. hide and ga
seek and button. They they went home
at II o'clock.
Mary thought it was the happiest
event of her life.
La Rue Downing, age II,
- NJ s.S Selma. Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
PRINCETON, CALI. IS NOW cE-
Giles HOME.

Miss Elsa Ferrel-
Dear friend.-As,1 have never writ
ten to any of the. Juniors I thought /
would write to you.
NV papa takes the Courier and NAM
ma reads the Junior page to me.
De YOU remember when we used to
live in Iowa and had such good times
playing together? ,n,
7 now live in California. This Is a
pretty country. The land, is all irri-
gated. I like to play outdoors and dig
little bitches when papa irrfgates.
We can see the mountains from our
home. They are most always covered
with snow.
There are lots Of roses and wild
flowers in bloom now.
We live in the Sacramento valley,
about 20 miles north of Sacramento.
The orange trees are beginning to
bloom.
Igo to Sunday school every Sunday,
Int have never gone to school. will
go next year.
Twill close for fear my letter will be
too long and will find the waste basket.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours truly, 49,.
Cecile Campbell, age 6.
Princeton, California.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
WHY WE cELERRATE EASTER.

When Plate claimed that Jesus was
the king Of the Jews, they denied.tt and
said they had no other king than
Caesar.
They demanded that Plate deliver.
Jesus to them to be crucified. He de-
| l1vered him and they led him away.
| They crucified him and two other.
men, one on either side Of Jesus On
the cross that Jesus bore Plate wrote
these words: Jesus Of Nazareth, the.
King of the Jews" - ~
When the soldiers had crucified
Jesus they took his garments and cast.
| lots for them.
Mary, his mother, his mothers sister
and Mary Magdalene stood by the
cross of Jesus when he was crucified.
| Nicodemus took The body Of Jesus
and bound 1t in linen cloth and spices,
as Is the custom Of the Jews He was
buried in sepulchre in garden. i,
The first day of the week, Mary
lMagdalene came to the sepulchre The
stone had been rolled away and she
Hooked in. She did not see Jesus body
and so ran and told Simon. Peter and
another disciple. They went with her to
the sepulchre but could see nothing.
When Mary looked again she saw two
angels sitting at the head and foot Of
the place where Jesus had lain.
When. she turned away she beheld
Jesus. He called her name, but, think
ing he was only the gardener, she turn
ed away and told him she was looking
for Jesus.
He made himself known but said,
DO not touch me for; am not yet
assembled to my father
Mary told the disciples all she had
heard and saw. After this, Jesus made
several appearances, before and after
his ascension. The ones he made be-
fore were to Mary Magdalene, to other
women Of Galilee, to two disciples, to
Peter, to ten apostles, to seven apos-
ties and others fishing and to five hum
| dred brethren at once.
! The ones he made after his ascen.
sion were to Stephenson athis martyr
dom. to Paul at his conversion and to
the apostle John.
In memory Of Christ, who was
crucified to save others, we celebrate
Easter.
| Henrietta Plaster, age IL.
Belle Plaine, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
to write a very long letter as l have
to get some OF my lessons for school

to write a very long letter as have
to get some OF my lessons Tor scnool
tomorrow. If we fail to have our
Nelson's good our teacher keeps us
after school to get them, so l would
i rather get mine at night. We have
only one more week and then we Will
have vacation and am real glad too.
We have had eight months OF school.
sister and have neither been absent
nor tardy during the whole term. l
have studied my lessons hard and
tried to learn all could.
But the way papa talks, l don't
know whether vacation is coming or
not for me. He says he Is going to
make a farmer out Of me. l am not
very big farmer, but he says / can
do lots Of work. helped him put In
oats last Saturday. I narrowed all
day. Papa said I did nearly as much
as he did, and that made me feel
pretty big.
It rained SO much out here this
spring that everyone is late getting In
their oats. Papa just finished ours to-
day. We sowed about thirty acres. |
expect Uncle Will has got all his oats
in because it is a lot warmer out
there than it is here.
When are you coming out to see
us? Wish you could come out and
see little brother. think he Is q
dandy He is only months old and
can sit alone. He is pretty good
looking-they all say he looks like
me. l think we will call him Lee.
Mamma took him to town and had his
picture taken. She said she would
send you one and you can see him
then. 4
Mamma said to tell Aunt Christiana
we have 1874 little chickens and the
incubator will hatch again next week.
Tell us how many you have when you
write to us.
1 almost forgot to tell you about
my birthday. Sister had post card
shower for me- I got forty-s1x CARDS.
Some of them we're real pretty ones.
I am awful proud of them. They al
most filled my album.
Well, l guess l can't find any more
time to write as L must get my les
sons. Now cousin, when you get my
letter, get busy and answer 1t. We
want to hear from you This leaves
us all we'll.
From your
Cousin, Philip Maser, age II
R. F. D. No. 1, Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
RUTH THINKS oTTuMWA A. BEAU
TlFUL CITY.

Dear Editor:
4 think Ottumwa is beautiful city
with her fine court house, library, post
office, parks and lots OF other nice
things.
I love to go to town for 1t is a nice
place where you can see and learn
things to make you wiser and better.
Ottumwa is one Of the largest towns
IN sontheastern Iowa, and is also the
county seat, Of Wapello county. It has
fine schools and a high school. also
commercial college.
Ottumwa is situated on the Des
Moines river and has large water
power andsis good commercial center.
It has several railroads going IN all
directions, two nice depots with places
for people to rest and wait for trains.
The best Of all is a nice large pack
ing house. from which meat Is sent to
all parts of the country, and Dam
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
A JUNIOR WHO READS.

Dear Juniors:-As have not writ
ten for long time thought would
write again.
Our school is out Friday. There
are twenty-one scholars. 1 go to the
Baldwin school No. 2. The teacher
and all the scholars are going pick
ing flowers Friday. My teachers name
is Maude Warren. am in, the NTH
grade.
How many of the Juniors like to
read? 1 am reading Longfellow's
poems, I have read several OF Louisa
M. Alcott's books and Mary J. Holmes.
But like Longfellow's books the best.
We have two little colts and three
little calves. We haven't any little
chickens yet. live on farm.
Well, as my letter is getting long,
will close.
I would like to exchange cards with
some Of the Juniors. i,
Nellie Pearl Roland, Age r..
Libertyville, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
MARIE HAS A BLACK PONY.

Dear junior will write letter.
1 saw your letter in the Junior page
and | thought would write to you.
l live in the country.
I will go to Star school this fall.
What school do you; go to?
How many brothers and sisters nave
you? have two brothers and two SIS
ters.
We have a black pony and buggy.
We drove the pony to school last fall
When is your birthday? My birthday
is December "a. l am II years old now.
I am in the fifth reader and l nave
been through it three times.
What reader are you in?
would like to exchange postals
with some of the Juniors.
I will close hoping to hear from you
soon. From Junior friend,
Miss Marie Knedler, age IL.
R. F. D. No. 3, Pulaski, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
ANNA TELLS OF HER TRIP.

Dear Juniors.-It has been long
time. since / have written to the Cour'
Ter Junior. Would you like to KNOW
about the trip I took last summer?
We went out to Colorado. We start
ed on August first and on our way we
stopped in Kansas week to visit win
my uncle and aunt and cousin.
Then they went on with us to Colo.
RADIO. We went through the Royal
Gorge. On one side Of us was the Ar
kansas river and on the other side
were the mountains.
When we came to my uncles IN COL
orado we camped in the mountains for
five days. We had lots Of fun climbing
over big rocks and living In tent and
fishing.
I. When we came home we stopped IN
Denver and took ride In big auto
mobile over the city.
will close.
Yours truly,
Anna Lawson, age IL.
Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
STORIES and LETTERS
FORMER o1TuMwA BOY WRITES.

Dear Editor:-As have never writ
ten to the Junior page thought l
would do so. Papa and Mamma and
my sister and stayed ct Lake Okoboj1
the past winter. We have always
lived at Ottumwa and will be glad to
hear from the Juniors.
I thought l would write and tell you
my experiences at the lake last win
ter as certainly had some fun skat-
ing and duck hunting. did not get
any of the ducks, however, as my faith
er did all the shooting.
One day my father and went hunt
ing We walked about fourteen miles
and when we reached Center Lake, a
small lake near Okoboji, we arrived In
time to see the last of the ducks flying
away. We then went back to the lake
in hopes Of getting some ducks but
we did not get any.
Another time my sister and were
walking along the shore when l saw
what I thought was q dead duck. l
touched it with q stick I had in my
hand and it flew into the water. My
sister and I were so startled that. we
did not make any attempt to reach 1t
and by the time we thought Of doing
so 1t was gone.
The lake froze over to depth Of three
was no more hunting till spring. Then
came the skating! That was fun!
The lake froze over to depth Of three
or four feet. We skated across the
lake two or three times. ~,
There were several iceboats out
this winter and 1t was fine to watch
them skim over the ice. Once when
was watching them they turned
around too quick and sent one Of the
boys sliding across the ice.
Another thing that was Of interest
to me were the fish shanties." These
are little houses about six feet by four
feet with no windows. They are plac-
ed over a hole in the ice and then
the man has to sit in the dark and
wait for the buffalo fish to swim under
the hole where he can spear them.
It is funny sensation to look down
the hole and see the different kinds
of fish swimming around. As my let
ter is getting long, I will close.
Dwight Lewis, Age IL.
ArnoldS Park. Iowa,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
MARSHAL is GETTING ALONG
NICELY.

Dear Editor:
We have six little calves. One Of
them is mine. l call it Mike. 1t is
light red with a white face, a white
stripe on it's back and what specks
on it's ears We feed 1t. I bought 1t
of grandpa Byrum. We have ninety
five little chickens. They are getting
along fine. I made feed pen for
them to eat out Of. We get about
100 eggs. We have eight hens setting.
Two of my sisters and my little
niece were here while was operated
on Tuesday. I am getting along fine
except I am rather nervous. But you
know am not feeling very we'll
I think all of the Juniors might
send me a post card. If they would
I would thank them very much.
Our school was out April Z. MY
teachers name was Roy Gardner. We
had nice program the last day. We
also had a nice Easter program.
We have two little birds. They
are canaries. They are two weeks
old and they are about half grown
We now have five birds. We have
q good deal of garden planted. We
have sweet peas, beets. onions, rad
ishes, potatoes, parsnips and lettuce.
I will close, wishing the junior
much success.
Marshal Byrum, age II,
RED. No. /, Box II, Chillicothe Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
WHAT DO.

Dear Editor:-I go to school nine
miles west of Billings. My teachers
name is Miss Alice Lennon. She is
kind and good. There are thirteen
children at our school. MY school
mates are Hazel Hellyer and Mona
searls, | live one mile from school.
We play dare base, hide and seek,
and Jump rope. I ride horseback to
school. My horses name is DICK. he
is thirty-two years old. We can rloe
and drive him, he is, so gentle.
I have one dog. His name IS Cur
lev. He does not chase horses or
COWS.
/ have lived twelve years in Mon
tana. -
Your truly,
Mildred McCarty,
..- Billings, Mont.
s- R.F. D. No. 2, Box %.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
RUTH LIVES IN PULASKI.

Miss Cecilia Hoffman
! Dear Junior.-I thought | would
write a,letter and have 1t put IN the
Junior page. M
How are you? am all right.
We have moved to Pulaski and like
the place fine. a.
Are you going to school?
I am not, but am going this fall.' we
are going to drive to school.
We have little black pony. HIS
name is Dick.
havestwo sisters and two brothers.
When Is your birthday? Mine is the
goth Of April.
1 would like to have a postal shower.
Have you got any brothers or Sis
ters?
I will close for this time. Good bye.
s Ruth Knedler. ages.
r. R. No. 3, Pulaski, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
Arnold Beatty's
Burglar And
Houu He Was
Trapped

Mr.. and Mrs Beatty stood in the
hall, bags In hand and trunk on the
porch. awaiting the taxicab. They
were going on a little visit to Mrs.
Beatty'e parents in town some miles
distant from their own city.
s Nov, Arnold" said Mrs. Beatty, as
the taxicab drew up in front Of the
house, II want you to keep sharp
lookout on the window locks. You
know, cook is SO careless about fasten-
ing up the house at night. So put
you in full charge of the place"
eyes, son, you are the head OF the
house now" laughed Mr.. Beatty. "And
don't forget the furnace. 1t doesn't
want to go out for another week. Well
be home week from tomorrow. And
1t stays cold till the first week In May.
So keep an eye on the furnace, as
well as on the window. locks"
"All right, dad" replied 15.year-
old boy, tall and fine for his age.
"And, Momsey, I'll lock each individ-
ual window at night myself. I'll not
trust to the cook lady
Then Mrs. Beatty kissed her big
rosy faced boy good-by and Mr..
Beatty slapped him affectionately on
the back. $50 long, son. he said.
"Take care of yourself"
Same to you, dad," smiled Arnold.
"Good-by, Momsey, dear. Have a cork
Ing good time on your visit. Love to
grandpa and grandmamma. Tell them
I'll see them during my vacation
Then the taxicab whirled round,
bearing Mr.. and Mrs. Beatty to the
railroad station, and Arnold returned
to the house to get his books; then
off to school he went, whistling a
merry tune. He felt the strangeness
Of the position-his. parents gone and
he in full charge Of things-cook,
canary and house. especially the fur
mace and the window locks. Never
before had he been left in this way,
for never until his fifteenth birthday
had his parents realized that he was
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
how on top the earth did you get your

man." 4t..sa-a i4y
Arnold laughed. Guess you'd all lik'
to know when I was made copper
wouldn't you Well, It happened las
winter when we were giving our schOO
plays that was cast for the part of ,
policeman in one Of them. had tn
suit made to order, star and all. But
| reckon the burglar would have know
my star was only piece of tin, with
out number Of any sort on it-had he
got a good look at 1t. But got hin
from behind. A towards way of catch
ing fellow, reckon. But in this In
stance any safe method had to be- re
sorted to. But-there're the policemen
coming in at the gate"
And so they were, and pretty soor
the housebreaker was in the custody
of the officers Of the law. And the pc
licemen who took him, turned to Ar
mold to congratulate him on his hav
ing caught one of the most dangerous
crooks in the country.
"All due to my false uniform
laughed Arnold, "but 1t served the pur'
pose"
Eyes, because cool.headed, brave
fellow wore It," said the officer. you're
a trump, Arnold Beatty"
But before the officers led their pris'
oner away, Arnold asked question OF
the fellow. "How did you get into the
room tonight-the room you entered
from the porch?"
Slipped sharp knife up between
the sashes and turned the lock-" ex.
planned the burglar with a CLEAN OF
contempt in his eyes. Folks think
locks are safe, but they're dead easy
"Ah, and that's why you didn't go In
through my open window smiled Ar
mold.
I'VE never go in through an open
window-if there's one handy for us to
open for ourselves Informed the bur-
glar, with a scowl. Folks are sleepin'
in rooms where windows are open-as
a rule"
"And sometimes folks awake" re-
turned Arnold. well, my man, guess
you'll have time to think over this
nights work. So, hoping you'll reform
after the state has taught you a good
trade by which you may make an hon
est living, I'll bid you good night"
Then Mr.. Barnes insisted on Ar
uOlu T0uldlulllS CuS IClnolAuCl " SAS
early morning-at his home.
And as Arnold sat relating the incl
tents Of his unusual experience to
Mrs. Barnes and her daughter, Oracle.
'Arnold's little school sweetheart, who
ooked upon Arnold as the greatest
Zero in the world) Mrs. Barnes cook
vas busy in the kitchen preparing a
very late supper Cor very early break
ast) in honor of the visitor Lord of
ove!" said Bridget to herself, as she
liked the refreshment, 'fhow that young
Mr.. Arnold can yell for help. He walked
ne from sound sleep, and put me into
Ill sorts Of shivers. And jumped into
ny clothes in time to see the police
men take a burglar from the. Beatty's
ront yard. Lord of love, it's exciting
Kings what happen to boys when
heir mas and pas are away"
And Arnold was saying: mot a word
If this must reach Dad and Momsey,
'or they'd hurry home on the next
rain and spoil their visit And now all
he danger is over and not thing mis-
sing from the house"
Except q boy" declared Mr.. Barnes
"A boy was there, but in his place is
4 mana man in courage and re-
sources"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29
sEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

1. use one side Of the paper only
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
fnkor q sharp lead pencil u
8. Always sign your name IN 1uA
andestate 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
q separate piece Of paper, with name
and address in full.
Z. Address the envelope to Editor,
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.