davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
IDEAS OF A PLAIN MAN

If we reflect a little we will see that it is entirely unreasonable for us to expect any programme for the i'm provement of society to be sane, clear and reasonable.
 No reform that ever came began that way.
 The rise of modern democracy was in the upToar and riot of the French Revolution.
 What crudeness and cruelty charac- terized the youth of the modern science of medicine
 Out of what ignorance and prejudice has come our present system of free education.
 It proves nothing, therefore, to all lege the injustice and unevenness of modern "big business" for wOrldor- gauized commerciaism is yet in its callow youth.
 Socialism, Woman's rights, prohibit tion and other plans for the reorgan- ization of mankind may or may not be true, but their faults and absurdi- ties should not be alleged against them.
 Aller Anfang ist schwer, says the German proverb all beginnings are difficult.
 T have long since come,' said Mir Wells, ito believe it necessary that all new social institutions should be born in confusion, and that at first they should present chiefly crude and ridic- ulous aspects"
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

of the snoWdrop. How it was only little, simple flowers, but it had a great meaning hidden in it's little white blossom. First of all it is white, and white being the emblem of Purity. It asked us to be pure and to have that virtue always. Then it grew on a long green stem, and had little green spots on each little petal, so it lived on hope (green being the emblem of Hope) and it carried that on it's skirt and wore it always, and we ought also to be hopeful and bear that message to all. It is little bell flower. and bells play such an important part in life ringing out the joys and sorrows which make up everything In the center of the bell is its golden heart, the sign of sunshine kept warm there If our lives show Purity, Hope and Sunshine in our homes and to others as we go along, it will always be well with IS
 Last of all, the little snowdrop hay ing done it's part dies down and dis appears from the earth for a while but the nulb hidden in the earth comes again to new life and glory in the full ness or time, and that is the emblem of the Resurrection, the Hope Christ gave US.
 Isn't it dear little flower, Plan cts %' I wanted to tell you, so that my league friends might also enjoy the lesson and see what a beautiful lan- guase flowers have if we only try to find 1t out With best wishes from
 Dungog, 1S1'
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
POETRY.
Something to Please the Children.
BY WALLACE IRWIN.

BY WALLACE IRWIN. Something to please the children, Something to entertain! Shall dance. my dears, or wiggle my
 ears,
 Or balance myself on a cane? Shall 1 stand at the parlor easement And sing to the crowd below? Or pour hot tea over Grandpa's knee In comical way l know? Something to please the children; Anything droll will do! Shall lash myself to the mantel shelf And poke my feet up the flue? Shall l spill hot wax on the carpet Or cover my nase with soot, Or gum my hair, or drop a chair On the top of my gouty foot? Something to please the children; Something that's light and gay. Shall I whistle and scream at the
 butchers team,
 So the horses will run away Shall I hang the cat to the curtain Or scare Aunt Jane with a mouse? Shall ] stutter and groan through tie
 telephone
 And then get fire to the house? Somt hing to please the children; Nc ng that's trite and tame. They ow with glee as they come ' I'm. Eeter at loss for game. They greet me as Uncle Henry, And jolly good times they see Il, The joylal ways and genial plays Of an elderly man like me.
 Sa ,urday Evening Post.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
JED'S TALKS WITH THE
 WIDE E-AWAKES.


 Last week we talked about the wind as a <aNier of Plantain seeds. If some of you i've near maple trees you must have noticed how the pinkish seeds come down by tn thousands. and how they whtrl and hutter in their descent, going far from the parent tree, and if they are not gathered young maple trees spring up on the lawn and in the border and in all parts of the garden. These winged tre { seeds vary in pattern with diff ferent trees. The maple seed is in the end of the wing, Gs is the seed of the pine tloe; but the seed of the elm is in the center of the wings. which are not just equal in size. The seeds which have equal wings are carried farthest from the tree because they fall slowest and are carried readiest by the wind. These maple seeds have a wonderful way of whirling in diagonal flights when the air Is calm, and where there is a breeze Agoing they 1utter long way tefore they reach the ground. We should be Sverrun with maple trees if more than oRe in ten thousand took root.
 Perhaps you are not aware that the wind carriers millions of seeds so fine that they are not to be seen by the eye, and from these seeds the stones are covered with lichens and the trees and fences with moss.
 It is by studying nature that you learn of the wonderful laws of God and the surprising things that are talk ing place every day in His sunshine.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
A DANGEROUS EGorlsM.

The conventions and primaries now being over, it remains for the national committee now to decide the contests, and there are 2SS delegates hanging in that balance. Because the committee happens to be in the majority for the president, the Roosevelt cry of anguish goes forth. untainted and spotless, of course, that the Taft hope of suc- cess lies in the securing of improper action by the national committee. This is the same old story that whatever Roosevelt does is the embodiment of righteousness, but anything following prescribed rule and precedent that does not bow to his dictation and takes the opposite side from him, is crooked and improper.
 IL makes a difference whose OK is Being gored. Roosevelt is a politician Of the most dangerous character. It is not principles that he stands for. bu: Me and l." first last, and all the time. How he has Topped on his view of the national committee is shown in the Springfield Republicans size-up of the man, which says
 When Mir. Roosevelt controls the national comPittee, thS bodys steam roller methods constitute a display of 1rreproachable virtue; when his op- ponents cofrol it, That. bodys action constitutes a sinister cone tracy of the bosses against the peoples rule.' F0ur years ago. Mir. Tsfts nomination. st Chicago which 1dr. Roosevelfs hand picked national committee brought about. was one of the most glorious acts of a hi.h- minded and, patriotic statesman But now MT. Tafrs nomination at Chicago can only he brought about by nullifying the will of the people and by fraudulertly seat ing a sufficient number of boss picked and boss-controiled delegates to t3ra place of those who have been legally elected by the people thsmselv(A
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Stradivarjus,

Once there were three Italian boys who lived in a small city in Italy When these boys were old enough they went to work in a shop where they made violins.
 One day a thought came into the minds of two of the boys They thought that they would like to go away from the dingy shop They tried to entice the other boy to go with them, but he did not want to go away; he would rather work in the shop
 One boy said that he was going to be a soldier, and the other an explorer.
 After few years the two boys re- turned. The explorer said that he had found gold and unknown lands and had seen many wonderful things that Stradivarius had not yet seen.
 The soldier said that he had done many brave deeds
 But Stradivarius said that he ex- plored something worth more than gold. He had made a perfect violin. Very soon a concert was held in that city and rich men met at the concert. They wanted to buy the very best vio-
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
The Hidden Charter.

Dear Uncle Jed: Tn 1886 Sir Ed mund Andros, a friend of the king of England. was appointed governor of New England. New York and New Jersey. The king wanted him to get the charter of Connecticut.
 Captain Wadsworth held meeting at Hartford at which the charter was shown to the governor Suddenly the candles were blown our, and when they were relighted the charter had dis appeared and Governor AndrOs had to go home without the charter.
 Captain Wadsworth ran off with 1t and hid 1t in a hollow spot in an oak tree. A number of years afterwards the tree blew down. Someone made 2 chair of out Of some of the wood. If we wish to see it, we can, in the capi- teol at Hartford. I have seen a piece Of the wood, as my teacher has a piece of 1t in a watch charm.
 CATHERINE MURPHY, Age g.
 Yantic
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
The Result of an Accident.

One day my uncle and my cousin went off to play My uncle, younger than they (two years old), followed them, which they did not know.
 There was a big pond, with a big rock in the middle The pond was very muddy. My older relations tried to jump for the rock and succeeded Then they turned to play a game of marbles
 My younger uncle tried to jump like his elders. When the elders, looking around. they saw little hand sticking out of the mud.
 My cousin ran away crying because he thought that my uncle was dead, but my oldest uncle pulled him out on the grass and ran away
 When found he was unconscious and now, although man, he is a little deaf.
 JOHN HOGAN. Age 5. Putnam
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
The Man Who Went Hunting.

There was once a man who went hunting. He walked on and on until he came to a thicket In the bushes he saw rabbit. He shot at 1t and thought he had killed 1t, but couldn't find it. He looked for 1t long time, but still he couldn't find 1t, so he went away.
 Two boys happened to be watching him and when he was gone they looked and found it. They went out of the woods and met a man and asked him to buy it. The man said No" So they went on and met the hunter
 They felt scared; but they asked him just the same. He said "Yes" He gave them each ten cents; and he shot the rabbit and had to pay for it, tool
 ETHEL ABERG, Age 8.
 Frq ftvri1lo
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
The Ship 1 Saw A.saiIinn

l saw ship a-sailing, with apples In It's hold; the sails were made of silk and the masts were made of gold. The four and twenty sailors that stood between the decks were four and twenty white mice with chains about their necks. The captain was a duck, with bundle on his back: and when the ship began to move the captain said "Quack! Quack!"
 FLORIDA LABARRE, Age 10.
 Taftville.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

lins that could be bought. They bought several from different persons; but they thought none were so good as the one they bought from Stradivarius.
 After that there was a great de- mand for perfect vlolins. and Stradi- varius grew rich.
 The other boys thought that Stradi- varius was working to earn as much money as he could; but he said that the two boys could have his money and that he was going to work in the shop as long as he was able
 Moral: Great takers are little doers.
 JESSIE BREHANT, Age Is.
 Willimantic.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Socrates and His Houss.

There was once very wise man who lived in Greece. His name was Socra- tes. Young men from all parts of the land went to him to learn wisdom from him, and he said so many pleasant things, and said them in so delightful a way, that no one ever grew tired of listening to him.
 One summer he built himself a house, but it was so small that his neighbors wondered how he could be content with it.
 What is the reason said they, that you, who are so great a man, should build such a little box as this for your dwelling house?"
 lndee1, there may be little reason, 9 said he, but, small as the piace is, I shall think myself happy if I can fill even it with true friends"
 HAROLD VARS. Age 12.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

at Gurleyville We are writing let ters.
 I once had a hawk at home. It was very tame. 1 had it hitched on d string.
 I fed it woodchucks, squirrels and other game
 After a while I let it off of the string. It stayed around our house about two weeks.
 When I wanted him to come to me I would get a woodchuck or a squirrel and put it on the grass Then he would come and get it.
 REGINALD CLARK, Age 13. Eagleville.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
My School.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to write a letter about my school There is a school team that carries five of us. Our school is about three miles from home. It has been very cold this winter to ride so far. The mud has been so deep for the past week that the school team didn't come after us. l was very sorry, for I don't like 10 miss school.
 My studies are arithmetic, reading, history, spelling, language, geography physiology, civil government; and also have to sing in the morning. am in the fifth grade. like my teach CT very much.
 Eagleville.
 EDITH BARBER, Age 10.
 Moosup.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

Cecil E. Rand, South Windham, Me: I thank you very much for the nice book you sent me. l like it very much. I have read some of it.
 Ahbie Davidson, Oxford, Mass: was very much surprised and pleased with the gift book you sent me. have read it through and find it very Inter esting. Please accept many thanks.
 Louisa Krauss, Taftville: I thank you very much for the pretty book you sent me. I have read it and think it very interesting. I hope all the others of the Wide Awake Circle" may re- ceive one like it.
 Hannah L. McVesh of Norwich: Thank you very much for the lovely prize book you awarded me. As far as have read I found it very interesting. Again I thank you.
 Marion Burdick, Chaplin: Was very much surprised and pleased when l re- ceived my prize book. Many thanks for it.
 AIfreda 2. Brosofske, Norwich: Re- ceived my book and thank you very
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06


 1-Edith Barber of Moosup: "The Wilderness Fugitives,' by Edward $. Ellis.
 2-Edward kuchIe of Gurleyville: Phil the Fiddler" by Horatio Alger, Jr.
 3-Resinald Clark of Eagleville: 'Lester's Luck" by Horatio Alger, Jr.
 EErnest Sherman of Yantic: 'Thro' the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll.
 5-Nettie M. MoseIsy of Willimantic; "The Grammar School Boys Snow bird" by H. Irving Hancock.
 6-John Hogan of Putnam: "Anime1 Stories for Little People"
 7-Eva AIperin of GurIeyvills Aunt Martha's Corner Cupboard" by Mary and Elizabeth Kirby.
 9-Burton Case of Warrenville; Water Babies" by Charles Kingsoury.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
RuIes for Younn writsr,.

l. Write plainly on one side of the paper only and number the pages.
 {. Use pen and ink, not pencil.
 5. Short and pointed articles will pc gwen preference. Do not use over 250 words.
 4; Original stories or letters only will be used.
 6. Write your name, age and ad- dress plainly at the bottom of the story.
 Address all communications to Un- ele Jed, Bulletin Office.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
He Doesn't Want to se an Esquimau

Dear Uncle Jed: Our winter made me think of this story:
 The Eskimos live in the North Frig- i'd zone. The ground is covered with snow and ice. It is cold the year round. The sun shines for six months, then it is dark for Aix months. The door of their hut is made of blocks of snow just like the houses, which are made of blocks of snow Their windows are made of creased paper. Their houses are warmed by oil lamps. They have benches to lie on The wo- men spend their time cooking and sewing fur garments. The men spend their time fishing, hunting and mak- ing tools. l would not like to be an Eskimo.
 ERNEST SHERMAN, Age 8.
 Xaptic
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
My Pet Cat.

My pet cat is gray. She is a funny cat. I don't like her. When she wants to get out doors she will break the window and get out. She hunts rats, birds, and squirrels. Now she can't get the poor birds because they are not here. Everywhere I put my milk the cat has 1t.
 did not know where to put my milk so I put 1t in the parlor and she went and got it.
 There was a cover on the tub. She took her head and threw the cover off Then she had a good time
 EVA ALPERIN, Age 10. Gurleyville.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
somethinq to 5e Thankful For.

A large majority of Americans wiii be glad to hear that the president has sent a hands-on assurance tO Presi- dent Gomez. They win be glad Ws haven't a circus performer in office and that the president will not lose his head or change his mind.-L0uisvills Courier Journal
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
AIMED AT GENERAL WOOD.

Because he opposed a rider in the army appropriation bill which was against the interests of the country and department, the enemies of Gen eral Wood made an unwarranted a{- tack upon him with the purpose of setting him out of office. It bears the appearance of retaliation which mounts virtually to spite h fassing the army appropriation bill. the house included herewith as a rider the Hay bill in which the reorganization plan of Chairman Hay of theNcommsttee on military affairs was set forth and call ed for the reduction of the cavalry to tyH)-.hirds its present size and the extension of terms of enlistment from three to five years. General Wood, as chief of the staff of the army. op- losed it when it came into the senate, criticising several of the provisions, and seclaring it did not have the sane ton of the department The senate killed tLe rider ana the bill went 10 confereace which Ter 1 ts that the chief ot the army .pst have ten years .crvice with tDt troops before his ap- ro.ntment. This is a direct attack up- fc General Wood. His rise 0 the chief the staff was out of the ordinary, lt' it in no way affects his ability as l..
 General Wood has been giving most cfflcieut rv.ce {. He s a thorough sol di-r ana aas proved i, in the field. He pas wor. d hard for the efficiency If the alms and t.c placing of il on an eftcieal foolnl. Such an attack is .aNatranted aut Ioar way of getting legisla ion.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

The Progressive Candidate said the campaign should not be marked " personalities and then he violated his own ruling he said Root should not preside and then conceded that it was proper: he demands tickets 10 the Chicago convention. but did not con- cede them 10 Taft when he was the nominee; he said he should not go to Chicago. but now he proposes to be there
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
O.. Thino Rs Limits.

Mr. Roosevelt denies disloyaily 70 his party. Reflection will convince Ons that MT. Roosevelt never admitted anything except his own greatness.- New York Evening Telegram.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
My Pet Lamb.

Dear Uncle Jed: My father has thirty four sheep.
 One day he had very small lamb and he gave it to me.
 This year we had another small lamb.
 One day when my father was in Willimantic my little lamb took sick and my mother had to go and give him some medicine, and he died after that His mother cried two or three days for him.
 So I've only one lamb now.
 MARGARET E. GRADY. Age g. Scotland.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Warrenville.
Her Canary Bird Peeps Like the Ban
 tanS

taTS.
 Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would write a story about our canary bird. We have a canary bird and his name is Dick My mother had Dick given her for a birthday present One day, mamma put Dick in a win dow and hung a hanging plant there, and Dick picked some of the leaves off and she said;
 Dick, you mustn't pick the leaves eff, because they might not be good fer you"
 Last summer we matched some little bantams and they would peep. Dick would initiate them and he still keeps it up.
 NELLIE M. MOSELEY, Age g. Willimantic.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Mayer pistrossfnll Isle

Now England is threatened with a national dockers' stri6e, tying ID the ports Looks ss lhouph the sister isl- and was about 10 rob Ireland If the title of the 'distressful Pitts burg Dispatch.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Vlndication of unoIe Loe

People who didn't believe it in the first place are now becoming convinced that Uncle Joe Cannon was right when he said that as for practical politics Roosevelt wrote the words and music
 Hartford Times.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Merely an Excsption.

MT. Roosevelt. says Dr. Abbott, sometimes drinks as many as hva glasses of milk at a meal Always thought milk went with a "smite-me- on the other cheek dispositiOn.-Nea York Herald.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

Lincoln WAS never more generally quoted than on inc Memorial day just passed and the lessons of wisdom from him will not prompt the citizens 70 do anything rash In November.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Too Much for Him.

With all these campa gn statistics going around. it must be an awful strain on General GrOsveuor to keep from doing a little lingering. Wash ingtOn Post
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
compstitlon for the Colonel.

Thomas W. Lawson is out for ths United States senate. Don't think politics could be any more frenzied than they have been the last few weeks.-New York Herald
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
Written by a WeakIina.

Let the people rule" is one of Mr. Roosevelts' pet slogans. The idea is sound. But how could they rule with a third term dictator in the presiden- tial chair?-San Francisco Chronicle.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

The path of a mayor is never strewn with roses. Those who think they were born to direct think they are greater than those chosen to rlle
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

We can't understand why the ablest, sanest,. biggest progressive of
 them all, Senator Borah, has not been mentioned for the presidency. Wind ham County Observer.
 John Sharp Williams thinks six dol lars per bath is entirely too much for
 Uncle Sam to pay for keeping his sem ators and congressman next to godl-
 ness by way of the bath tub Most
 people will agree with John sharp
 Hartford Post.
 Arizona sends another bolting dele
 gation to the Chicago convention
 just because the Taft followers con
 trolled the state convention. The
 bolters are now almost numerous
 enough to hold a trump convention of
 their own.-Bridgeport Union.
 We don't need to be told that Con necticut can produce apples. The fruit grows spontaneously here. by every roadside and on every hillside. Connecticut's chief lack has been too little systematic attention to the care
 of the trees.-New Haven Register. There is as much chance by a proper process of political education of elect ing legislatures which will choose bet 1 ter senators as of securing better sena- tors by popular election. We are in clined to think that the chance is on the whole better and that the pro posed change would be for the worse.- Meriden Record.
 It is true that the cost of living has increased in this country. The real l remedy for this thing does not rest in an endless policy of boosting wages to keep up with prices and prices to keep ur with wages. No such whipping cf the devil around the stump" is go- 1 ing to result in any permanent good to either employers or employes.-New Haven Union.
 The decision of Congressman Hig gins of the present Third district of Connecticut not to be a candidate this | fall is to be regretted. He has been a useful member of the national body, and his ability has been recognized by his companions. But he says that | his law business requires that he should drop outside claims upon his time. and therefore his decision to re- l tlre.-Westerly Sun.
 | Theodore Bodenwein, former secre-
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

Portland Me. thinks 1t could attract sli Of NeR England and a part of Rhode Island if it could get the Ger man squadron with a naval escort in the hsrbor for he Fourth of July.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

Simple gowns of white, with their own God-given hair, is the sensible crder for graduates given by the Washington, D. C.. board of educa- finn
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06
EDITORIAL NOTES.

This is the month hen the town c,eras keep the marriage license blanks tsndy.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

It is apparent now that it would have been better to have had an odd number of members on the consolidated school board.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

From present indications 1t looks as If there would be plenty of vacant seats in the Roosevelt band wagon.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-06

Baldwin and Underwood do not get talked up much for the presidency; but they would make an able demo- cratic team