davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09

| Norm America Is the northern dlVlS'
ion of the American continent and the
third largest grand. division of the
world.
The area is 100000 square miles.
| On the northern and eastern coasts
are number Of prominent intentions.
The largest are the Hudson Bay on
the north, Gulf of Mexico on the south,
Gulf of California on the west, Gulf OF
Saint Lawrence on the east.
| The numerous islands belonging to
| it are Greenland on the north, New
Foundland, Bahamas, and the West
Indies on the east, and Queen Char.
lotte, Alutian Islands on the west.
| North America is divided into three
great regions, namely: Appalachian
highland on the east, the Rocky noun
tains highland on the west, and the
great central plain extending from the
Artic ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
The river systems of North America
, consists Of the Attic system, the Gulf
system, the Pacific system, and the
inland system, the great basin.
North America contains a large
number of rivers. The Mackenzie
river and the Mississippi river are the
largest ones. The Yukon is an i'm.
portant river also. + .snrt &
North America contains a larger
number of lakes than any other con-
tinent Besides the great lakes are
the great Salt Lake, Great Bear Lake,
Athabasca Lake, each of which is an
inland sea; also Lake Winnipeg, and
Rainy Lake, besides these there are a
number of small lakes. 49,.
North America contains climates
from the tropical to the frigid.
In the extreme north, the vegetables
consists of reindeer, moose and a. very
few flower plants and the southern
border Of this region is marked by
willows and other shrubs. A little
southwark, forests of cone bearing
trees, spruce, fir, helmlock and pine,
are found, and in general the prairies
are treeless except around streams OF
water. .ss@I.. 5.-
North America contains great
number of wild beasts, some of which
are the walrus, polar bear, fur seal,
caribou, beaver, otter and other fur
bearing animals are also found In this
region, and in the far south are the
moose and the deer. In the Appalach-
ian region are found the fox the rae
coon, opOssum, mink, skunk, the wild
cat and other small animals are found
also. -.'
The independent countries of North
America are the United States, Mexico
Honduras and the colonies possession
is the Dominion OF Canada. Saint
Pierre belongs to France.
Columbus discovered America in
1892. " >.
The continent was named after
Americas Vespuccius who was first to
write a description of it. Many voy-
ages We're made by the Spanish, Por.
tuguese, English and French. The
English settled in jamestown in 1907.
l will close as have told all know
about North America. .. H.
Virgie Marie Chamberlain, Age 10.
Eldon, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
A SNOW STORM.

It was cold day in January and
little five year old Robert thought 1t
was awful. Yes, he had planned to go
to New York where his Uncle Walter
lived. Why didn't he go? OF course you
want to know. Well. it was this way
Robert woke up in the morning and
he heard the wind blowing. He got
out Of bed and went to the window.
whats the matter with the air?"
he said as he gazed out into the air.
The truth was that the wind was
blowing the snow around in the air
and it looked very white. Yes, thought
he, it's showing. But 1t, was more than
showing, though Robert didn't know it.
After thinking a while he said out
loud, seems to me, yet, 1t seems to
me, that I've forgot something" "Oh
yes" he said after thinking a minute,
II know now, ut is my birthday, and
I'm five years old.
Robert" called his mother from
down stairs. Robert, come down here"
Robert got on his clothes and was
down stairs in jiffy. When he got
down his mother said, Now here is
your things On a rather big and soft
package it said. ITO Robert from
Mamma" ="
He hastily unwrapped the package
and in it he found a dressing gown,
and inside of it he found some slippers.
He looked inside the slippers and
there was a little round package that
said. ITO Robert from Papa" He I'M
wrapped it and out dropped two silver
dollars and a note. He had his mother
read the note and this is what it said:
my dear little son: give you this
two dollars to buy the sled you wanted
so much this winter. From Papa"
After Robert and Mrs. Martin for
that was her nancy had talked while
the door bell rang. Walter went to an
swer it and who should he see but his
uncle Walter himself. .. st.
"Oh, Uncle Walter he cried. have
you come to take me to New York with
YOU NO." said Uncle Walter. 1.-The
trains couldn't get through this snow"
Then Uncle Walter said, II came to
Wrayburn yesterday morning and
stayed at a hotel all night. I had plan
ned to come for you this morning and
take your home to New York. But
when I woke up this morning and found
out the snow was drifting 1 knew the
trains couldn't get through the snow.
so l came here and thought I'd stay
here all night and we'll go to New
York in the morning. "Hurrah," cried
Robert, II don't care If it does snow
with you here" e-.
Herbert King, Jr., age g.,
..-s Bloomfield Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
OPAL LOCKS STORY.

am horse. Ny name is Bird.
was born In Farmer Browns barn.
When was young could not eat
grass. hay and corn. So milk was my
food. My color is OF light brown.
When was years old my master sold
me to an old man named Mr.. Gray. He
was very kind to me. He first broke
me to the saddle and then to harness.
1t was very nice for me to pull my
master around. He kept me till I
was 10 years old, then he sold me to
Mr. Payne. MI. Payne was not SO
kind to me as Mr.. Gray had been.
He made me work very hard. He sold
me to Mr.. Deuser. I was glad of 1t.
For am an old horse and need rest.
AS / am an old horse now they
say will never be sold I will bring
my story to an end.
Opal Locke, age 10,
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09

ooh, uncle, won't you please tell
me an elephant story?" asked five
year-old Harold. ~
"All right, you tell me what you
know about elephants first,' said his
uncle.
"I know little story that / made
up" said Harold.
"All right (
"Once there was a little elephant
and he thought he knew everything
So one day he went out swimming by
himself in big sea. While he was
out there he saw ship with whole
lot of men on it. The men saw the
elephant and laughted at it. Then he
knew he didn't know so much after
all.
"All right, now you tell yours said
Harold. -- GsE
Cali right, I will act as If I am an
elephant" .Ee.
And this is the story he told:
II used to live in the jungles Of
Africa, but was captured by some ma
tives and sold to a man that owned a
big show.
They tanned me and made me act in
the show and had to be in the parade.
I am considered the largest elephant
in the world and my owner puts me to
most. I can push wagon or a stake
driver if I want to. Sometimes am
used to carry loads to the train and
sometimes they strap big seat on
me and have to carry five or six peo-
pie.
When I act in a show I stand on a
rolling barrel and other elephants that
are smaller than am put their fore
legs upon my back. throw balls and
catch them.
Then they would put us behind a
rope In one corner and the people
would give us a few peanuts.
I have to do the same thing in the
afternoon and night both.
When the night show Is over they
pack the wagons and put loads OF
stuff on us and we have to carry them
to the train.
Then our masters would take the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
A LETTER TO RUTH cHRlsTY.

Dear Editorials read the Courier
Junior few weeks ago, saw letter
written by Ruth Christy who wanted
to hear from Juniors through the Jun
ior page, so am sending one to her
to be printed in the Junior.
Floris, Ia, March 6, 1912.
Miss Ruth Christy,
Chugwater, Wyo.
Dear Junior Friend AS you and
are botn correspondents to the Junior
why not be friends? decided to write
to you as you wanted to hear from
Juniors through the Junior page.
don't remember ever seeing any OF
your letters in the Junior page only
the last one you wrote, but expect
you have seen plenty of mine there
as have been writing for over four
years. 1 have quite few Junior cor
respondents or at least | used to have.
Most all of them have quit writing and
l would be glad to have them write
again. I read in the Courier where
you had been frozen to death and l
also read your fathers letter that he
wrote the other day. a
When is your birthday? Mine is
April 10. will be fourteen years old.
We are going to have a sale March
G. We have three of the cutest little
Scotch collie puppies. We are only
going to keep one. we call 1t Coke.
We had five but gave two away.
l am going to school. Are you?
l was going to take the eighth grade
examination at Ottumwa Feb. 20 and
81, but | didn't go on account of the
condition the roads we're in.
1 We had big snow there last Sun
day, and it showed all day yesterday
but it was fine day as the sun shone
brightly. I am going to send a letter
to the Junior for my little nephew,
Kenneth Box It Is his first letter.
| would like to exchange cards or
letters with you and will answer all
receive.
I will have to close as 1 want to
write a story tonight and it is getting
late.
Ever your friend,
Maude Skirvin, Age Is.
g Floris, Ia, Route No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09

things with it too. I have large ears
and rather small eyes. have two
large tusks extending from my mouth,
which are very valuable. Men kill u
for our tusks. They are OF ivory and
are used to make piano keys and many
other things. have large nat feet
and can run very fast. live in the
jungle. Sometimes men capture III
and We are used for heavy labor, we
do not like to work we would rather
be free and live in the jungle. And
they have us In circuses and train w
to do many things. We are very
smart when we are trained. Some.
times we get mad at our keepers and
kill them with our trunks. A mouse
is my greatest enemy. am afraid
they will get in my ear.
Sudia Cox, aged S,
Be1knap, Iowa, r. r. No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
Stories and Letters.
THE SLEIGH RIDE.

ooh, girls!s cried Vida Parker, run
ming up to little group of girls laugh
ing and talking together. miss Heath
says we may have sleigh riding par
ty tomorrow evening. 1t Is oatur-
day tomorrow you know and there will
be no school,
ooh, won't that be f1ne," cried all
the girls, except one who was silent,
it was Mae Wilson.
Gertrude Davis, seeing Mae said,
why. Mae, aren' you glad there IS
going to be sleigh riding party?'
II am glad for you, girls replied
Mae slowly, but you know have to
work very hard on Saturdays, because
we have hardly enough food and
clothes to last us through the winter"
1--WE are very sorry for you, Mae,
said all the girls, I'VE should think you
could ask anyway" ...s
"I am sorry too said poor Mae,
"but if could go would be too tired
to walk five miles from the country to
the school house where the bobsled
will come and get YOU
well, maybe We shall have another
Sigh ride sometime again, and then
perhaps Mae can co." said elizabeth
DOQalQS, Trying u DTlSulcu lungs "P'
Just then the last bell for school
rang and they parted.
At recess groups of girls got togeth-
er trying to decide how they could
get Mae to have some fun Saturday
night too, for they all loved her be-
cause she was so kind and gentle.
oh! l know cried Ruth Williams,
eve can ride out to Macs house Sat
urday eve and spend the evening
there, take Mae sleigh ride, and then
ride back"
"The very thing" cried the girls.
Ruth, you always think of such nice
things"
So it happened the next Saturday
night about 6 o'clock. q bobsled with
twelve happy girls went dashing
through the snow out towards Macs
house.
They arrive little before Z o'clock,
and all went. rushing into the house at
the same time, without even knock
ing. Mae and her mother were very
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09

Dear Editor have been reading
the Courier Junior for tbout two years
but this is my first letter. l enjoy read
ing it very much.
/ am ten years old ana IN the sixth
grade at school I do not like to 90
very we'll, but like my teacher fine.
We had valentine box and all the
children enjoyed it. .5..-a.f
I have good many toys and spend
much Of my time when am not IN
school playing with them.
For pet have big Maltese cat.
He is so gentle that can dress him
up and ride him in my dolls go-cart.
He will lie and sleep while I am riding
him. -
1 hope to see my letter in print.
Marian Fell, age 10.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
STORY Of An ELEPHANT.

am an elephant. live In the for
ests far away. I have trunk WITH
which l put my food in my mouth.
am larger than a lion. .4
There are many of my friends IN
shows.
I have large ears and two tushes,
one on each side of my trunk
/ eat grass, hay, peanuts and candy
am larger than most OF the ami
mails in the forest and have small eyes
for my size.
People ride upon my back.
My feet are something ike those u
a rhinoceros and my tail IS short.
NV mouth Is under my trunk.
can throw water with my trunk.
This is my first story to the Courier
Junior. -
R. No. I, Numa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09

loads of of us and lead us to our cars.
When winter comes they take US ana
the show home. Our home Is Dls
building where our stables are.
Sometimes We get baby elephants
and when we go out again we nave
more of them.
Once an unframed elephant got
loose and ran away. Then three or
four men got on elephants and ran on
to capture 1t.
It saw the tame elephants but did
not know the men were on them ana
walked up to where they were. Then
the men threw ropes over 1t ana
brought it back.
When they came back there was
man on each side of 1t.
I am getting old and feeble and can
not tell you any more stories of their
life.
Forgot Name.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09

much startled at them coming in that
way, but as soon as they saw who it
was and what they came for, they
were very happy.
The evening was spent in playing
games and singing. About o'clock
they all went ito take Mae a sleigh
ride. She enjoyed it very much and
thanked them for being so kind to her.
About 10 o'clock they started home,
saying it was the best sleigh riding
party they were ever at
Alberta Lewis, Age II.
q, r .-s....I Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
EDWARDS FIRST LETTER.

Dear Juniors: This is the first time
have written q Junior letter.
am in the fourth room, "A class,
grade three, quarter one.
nv teachers name is Miss Hedr1ck.
She is nice teacher and like her
very we'll. .sa.
I have two sisters. ..s w.. ~
Their names are Martha and Bertha.
am eight years old.
We have a little baby at our house.
It was born the % Of January.
The baby's name is Virginia Mil
dred 49,
have told you all know. 't
Edward Augustus Sheafe, Jr,
3O1 North Benton st., Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
horse seems to be afraid of automo-

biles."
| "Good evening, Charlie. Yes. Metal
thinks he must keep up appearances.
He has seen his day, but as long as
we both live he shall have good
home He saved me from getting q
terrible horsewhipping once which
might have resulted in my death.
do tell me about it, please" said
Charlie.
"Now sit down here on the hay. 1t
was just about 20 years ago / was
preaching in little town In Missouri
About ten miles up the creek lived a
band of outlaws and their r1ngleader
was girl named Mag Dixon. Some
people called her Captain Mag.
"She always dressed in short skirts
and wore red top boots and her hair
hung loose around her neck. Finally
the exposure told on Mays health and
she took quick consumption and died.
Her reckless followers seemed very
sorry, and to my astonishment and
dismay called on me to conduct fu-
neral services. But promised to 60
and do the best could. 1t was late IN
the fall and Metal was four years old
and decided to go horseback. never
was considered coward, Charne, Dut
when I saw my congregation relt my
courage oozing from my finger tips.
The house was filled mostly with men.
Among them were few slatternly
women and some little children. "A
fellow handed me the obituary telling
the many good qualities of the de-
ceased. 1t was a falsehood from be-
ginning to end. could not read 1t ana
preached a short sermon. At the con-
clusion of the service the men gath
cred in groups and talked low. No one
seemed to notice me- hastily secured
my horse and rode away, congratulate
ing myself on having done my duty
and in escaping without getting Into
trouble.
II let Metal take his own gait and
we soon left the log house far behind.
was riding through the tin.per Wnen
around the bend in the road dashed
score or more of the villainous look
ing horsemen, everyone OF them car
rying vicious looking blacksnake
whip 1t was the outlaw band from the
funeral. They had taken a short cut to
intercept me. My heart almost STOOD
still / knew they would show me no
mercy. Suddenly / drew my riding
whip and struck the nearest horse a
sharp cut, which caused him to jump
to the side, and at the same time
gave a shrill whistle. Metal sprang
through the gap and ran down the
road l had the start of the villains,
having taken them by surprise, but
they were soon in hot pursuit, shout
ing and cursing at every jump Thus
we dashed along until it seemed to me
like eternity. The dust rose in clouds.
My little black was bravely doing his
best, but l felt they were gaining on
me. Suddenly band of horsemen
rode in sight over the brow OF a hill.
eco it, parson! Go IT.! 1t was the
boys of Lynn, who had got wind OF
trouble and had come to my~rescue:
Every man carried shot gun. AS
dashed into their midst they tlred
volley which made the hills echo and
re-echo again. With bowls of rage and
pain my pursuers wheeled and dashed
madly away" .4.. Ia
=, Written by ...n
Georgia Brown, age IA.
R. F. D. No. 2, Fremont, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
HOW METAL WON THE DAY.

Dear Editor.-As have not written
letter or story for a long time, |
thought l would write one now, How
Metal Won the Day" ~
Father, see Mr.. Vincent out at
the barn now. Guess will go over.
Maybe he will tell me story
Charlie Bennett grabbed his hat
from the rack and ran out OF the
house and through the alley to the
minister's barn.
Good evening, Mr.. Vincent. Your
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
A BIG SNOW MAN.

Dear Editor:
thought would like to write about
the snow man. Last winter my brother
John and I made q big snow man ana
we mt papa's hat on him. There was
some folks going down the road and
thew asked me what that was and I
said it was my uncle. He was as tall as
papa and just love to make snow
man. For several days after the snow
had gone we had our snow man. One
day it was real warm and that night
the wind blew very hard. Next morn
ing when I got up went out to look
about my snow man and the wind had
blown his hat away and my snow man
had nearly melted away so that waS
the last Of the snow man.
Ellen F1eer, age 8,
Chillicothe, Ia, r. No. {.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
THE CAT.

Dear Courier junior will write
about our arithmetic cat. He has but
three legs. One was cut on IN trap
and that Is why we call him an arltn-
metic cat.
He puts down three and carries one.
He is yellow and has pretty, bright
eyes. He can cat rats, although one
of his front feet Is cut on.
We take the Courier and look forth
for it's coming each evening because
1t has all the news.
Yours truly,
rs Luella Wood, age 8,
Box 331, Moulton, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
In By Path
Meadow

[Christian and Hopeful are pilgrims
to the Celestial City. On their way
they met with many strange expert
ences.]
Now their way lay upon the bank OF
a pleasant river. Here Christian and
Hopeful walked with great delight
They drank also of the water of the
river, which was sweet to the taste.
On the banks of this river were
green trees with all manner of fruit
On either side Of the river was a
meadow full of lilies; and it was green
all the year long.
In this meadow they lay down and
slept. When they awoke, they gathered
again of the fruit trees, and drank
again of the water of the river, and
then lay down again to sleep. Thus
they did several days and nights.
So when they were disposed to go
on, they ate, and drank, and departed.
Now they had not journeped far,
when the river and the way for time
parted. They were not little sorry,
but they burst not 60 out of the way.
Now the way from the river was
rough, and their feet tender. Where
fore, as still they went on, they wished
for q better way. Now little before
them. there was on the left hand of
the road meadow and stile to go
over into 1t. That meadow Is called
Bypath meadow.
Then said Christian. IF this meadow
lieth along by our wayside, let's go
over IT. j..
Then he went to the stile. to see,
and behold, a path lay along by the
way on the other side of the fence.
Here is the easiest going" said
Christian. Come, good Hopeful. and
let us go over"
But how if this path should lead
us out of the way?"
THAT is not likely. Look, doth 1t
not go along by the wayside?"
So Hopeful went after Christian over
the stile. ,
When they were gone over into the
path, they found 1t very easy to their
feet Looking before them, they espied
a man walking as they did, and his
name was Vain Confidence. They
called after him and asked him whittier
that way led.
ITO the Celestial Gate" said Vain
Confidence
Look" said Christian, did not
tell you so?"
So they followed, and he went be-
fore them. But behold, the night came
on and it grew very dark They that
were behind lost sight of him that
went before. Vain Confidence, not
seeing the way before him, fell into q
deep pit and was dashed in pieces with
his fall. g. 49,.
Now Christian and his fellow heard
him fall So, they called to know the
matter, but there was none to answer,
only they heard grooming.
! Then said Hopeful, Where are we
now?" Then was his fellow silent.
And now it began to rain and thunder
and tighten in q most dreadful man
ner, and the water rose again. 81.
Then Hopeful groaned, saying. "Oh.
that had kept on my way!"
Then they heard the voice of one
saying: Let thy heart be towards
the highway. Turn again."
{ BY this time the waters were greatly
risen. Yet they ventured to go back
But it was so dark and the flood so
high, that they had liked to have been
drowned nine or ten times. Neither
could they get to the stile that night.
At last they sat down, and being
weary, they fell asleep. e..
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
vIRGlL's FIRST LETTER.

Dear Editor-I have never written
to the Courier Junior, so thought l
would write. a. sUy. ...-
For pets l have three pigeons, one
horse, one cow and nine ducks.
l visited at my grandpa's last sum-
mer an dhelped take care of the
chickens and ducks. f
Hoping to see my letter in print l
will close. a-E
III Virgil Bales, age H..
r. No. 1, Box q, Sigourney, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-09
WHAT A HORSE WOULD SAY u
HE COULD TALK.

am horse.
My name is Eaisy.
am a brown horse with white legs.
When there is snow on the ground
they hitch me to a sleigh.
I like apples. They feed me apples
once In q while.
have nice warm barn.
The chickens lay in the hay ana
the black dog Shep sleeps IN the nay:
They do not bother me, nor 40
bother them
I am kind to people when they are
kind to me. do not kick or bite, out
I am kind and gentle.
Nellie Phillips
214 No. Iowa Ave-, Ottumwa