davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
WHEN OLD BEN FRANKLIN
SCORED

, Long after the victories of Washing
ton over the French and the English
had made his name famous TO all
Europe Benjamin Franklin was
guest at dinner given in honor OF
the French and English ambassadors.
The ambassador from England arose
and drank a toast to his native land:
"To England-the sun, whose bright
beams enlighten and fructify the re-
hottest corners of the earth"
The French ambassador, filled with
his own national pride, but too polite
to dispute the previous toast, offered
the following: "To France-the neon,
whose mild, steady and cheering rays
are the delight of all nations, consol'
ing them in darkness and making their
dreariness beautiful"
Then arose "Old Ben Franklin and
said in his slow but dignified way:
ITO George Washington-the Joshua
who commanded the sun and the moon
to stand still, and they obeyed him."
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15

One day felt SO good that could
not sit or stand still. We had our
corn all in 80 I had nothing much to
do. So I thought that would like to
go out camping, so went for the barn
as fast as ever did before and got
horse. Irode over and got Joe Kinney
Lowell Sullivan and Cliff and Fred
Ashmead to go with me. They were to
be at my house at O'Clock. and we
would drive to Pittsburg q little town
on the Des Moines river AS they
were willing to go it took but little
time to get everything that we needed.
On the way we laughed and talked
about what we would do when we got
there. but we changed our tune. We
pitched our tent under what is called
"The Old Church Tree" which was
called that because under that tree
was preached the first sermon west OF
the Des Moines river.
The next day we visited the old mill
which is being run by the builders
grandson. We went to camp and got
our hooks and lines and went fishing
on the river. We caught fish about
the size of your little finger and some
little ones.
At last we started home tired but
happy. and thinking what a good old
world and what great privilege it is
to live in it.
Arden Swinney, age Il.
Bloomfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15

made the boys promise not to pull any
OF the flowers unless we told them to,
So they have been pretty good to helm
us take care of them. We also have
quite lot of grain which the boys are
raising. 1t is now nearly as tall az
my shoulders. It is barley.
We play hide and seek among It.
We have one whole acre Our school
was out the 10Th of May. We were
going to go to the springs near here
the last day but it rained so hard the
day before it was too muddy to 70.
So we had our picnic at the school
house. We played games until 1
o'clock then got the dinner out and
ate. We had for refreshments sand
w1ches, cake, ice cream and lemonade,
We played games in the afternoon.
such as lose your supper, drop the
handkerchief, three deep, last couple
out. telephone.
We then drank some more lemon.
ade and ate ice cream, and cleaned
the school house then all departed
shouting goodbye till next term when
we shall meet again.
But we are going to Sulphur Springs
before 1t gets too hot.
Osa Redshaw, Age IA.
Sorvallis, Ore, Route No. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
OUR MAIL BOX.

In 1905 when we moved from
Agency to the country mail box was
needed so papa bought one from VIM.
Mcintosh. That was when we lived
where we do now.
In March, 1906, when we moved to
Mr.. Miller's place about mile from
here, it was moved too and put close
to the road about one-half mile from
where we lived.
In 1907 we moved again and it was
close to the house then.
In 1909 it was moved across the
river and again in 1910. This time
it was about one-half mile from the
house. In 1911 when he moved the
mail box was put on bridge.
In March, 1912, we moved where we
live now and the mail box came back
to it's old home Mr.. Dunning is now
using it as we use one that was left
here.
Many a Courier Junior has been LETT
in our old mail box.
Maude Skivin, Age IA.
Agency, Iowa., Route No. l..
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
Stories and Letters.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Abraham lincoln, sixteenth president
of the United States, was born In
Hardin Co., Kentucky, February IL,
1909, being the son of Thomas Lin
coin, laboring farmer. While he was
still a boy his father removed to ILL
nois and here he began life as la.
borer in the brush, building rail
fences, a circumstance which gained
for him in after years the name OF
rail splitter" He also worked as
common sailor on the f1atboat which
navigated the Mississippi. While thus
employed he picked up little learn
ing and gave his spare time to read
ing what books came his way. He
served as a captain Of militia during
the Indian troubles in the northwest
and in 1884 was admitted to the bar
and met much success as an advocate.
In 1847 he was elected to congress
where he supported the Wing party
and became conspicuous as an IN
compromising opponent of slavery.
The Wing party was broken up soon
after the presidential election OF 1907.
He made several attempts to obtain
a seat in the senate.
In 1860, however, he was raised to
the highest office in the republic.
The national republican convention
met at Chicago in June, 1860. He was
nominated over Seward and elected
president in November, 1850.
Almost all Of the southern states
seceeded from the union before he
was inaugurated.
Then came the attack on Fort SUM
ter and the terrible civil war which
for five years devastated the south
ern states of the union.
At the expiration of his term OF
Office he was reelected to the presi
dency and lived to see the substan-
tial success of the federal arms and
the surrender Of Richmond and O!
the army of General Lee.
While on a visit to Ford's theater
at Washington, April IA, 1866, he was
shot through the head by an actor
named John Wilkes Booth and dleo
on the following morning.
Forest Weber, age IL.
1913 East Main St., City.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
GOING AFTER THE cows.

Dear Editor:
Two little friends go side by side.
Over the meadows green and wide;
on and on to the pasture gate, where
Jersey and Gentle stand and walt
Two little friends: one wears hat,
its broad brim hiding my cheeks OF
tan. The other only dog is he. But
honest and trusty as dogs should be.
Without him could never go after
the great, big cows, you know. My
dog and go side by side DER the field
so wide. Hasten on to the pasture
gate where Jersey and Gentle stand
and wait. And now the pasture is
reached at last and dogg1e barks loud
and fast; goes scampering off as fast
as he can and he can drive them with.
out my aid And that's the way he
and I 20 after the COWS you see.
Bernard B. Taylor. Age 8.
Bloomfield, Iowa, Route No. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
ELVA WANTS TO HEAR FROM
WILDA.
isse, Maude and Mabel Skirvin,

Misses Maude and Mabel Skirvin,
Agency, Iowa, Route No. l:
Dear Friends: Do you think have
forgotten you. I certainly haven't.
How are you girls by now? 1 am just
fine. Did you receive your Courier
Junior club pins? l think they are
very nice, don't you?
I am writing to quite few OF the
Juniors now. Here are some OF the
Juniors names that have written to:
Henrietta Plaster. Hannah Clark. lrl
Treanor, Neva Espy, Irline Treanor,
Lola McNees. Albertina Park, Vida
Wahle, Fern Hooker, Beatrice Hickey,
Mary Palfreyman, Josephine Norton,
Louise Hickey, Anna Palfreyman. Mag
gle Bray, Edward Bray, Frances Nor
ton. Marie Perice. Martha Scott, ~ Ora
Miller. Blanche Shields, Lois Griffin,
Blanche Sullivan, Amy Lucas, Eliza
beth Anderson, Ruth Foster, Edna
Shrimp. Charles shrimp, Mabel Root,
Leona Vest, Bernice Beatty, Lille
Hall, Exa Hail. Hedveg Carlson, Lille
Myer, Ruth Goodrich, Margaret Sun.
ley. Ruth Byrum, Ella Clay. Murrel
Watson, Hazel Hatfield, Eunice Gibbs,
Hazel Oliver, Josephine Oliver, Jean
holland, Vida Cougar, Anna Coleman,
Walter Trout, Donovan Dixon, Eff1e
Hale, Glen Wright. Mabel Mundell,
Desdemona and Juliette Eisenbeis,
Forest Weber, Bertha Stansberry,
Phillip Plaster and some others.
Tell me the ones that you have writ
ten to.
Have you been flower hunting yet?
+ have. Are you girls going TO the
Junior picnic this year? am.
We are going to have picnic and
program at our school the last day.
Now want you girls to write me
letter soon, and I will answer soon
after this
Elva M Huffman, age Is.
Chillicothe, Iowa, Route No. 1.
P. 81 would love to hear from
Wilds Cougar, as have not heard
from her for quite a while. Three
more Of my Junior friends are, 1nez
Grimes, Grace Raglan and Mary Suth-
erland. ...
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
A VEGETABLE NOAH'S ARK.

did Won ever hear of vegetable
Noah's ark? Well, the writer OF this
has had the pleasure Of seeing such an
AGGREGATION of animals. There was
fine old elephant, cut out of a turnlp,
there was a potato lion and bear cut
from the same vegetable. A bright
mink carrot had been turned into
cow and a horse. And all the other
animals that children are familiar
With we're modelled from such vege-
tables.
It is a very entertaining as we'll as
instructive pastime for chlldren 10 slt
with penknife in hand and good naru
potatoes, turnips, beets and carrots as
working material" A natural history
must be used as a guide. Then each
NAV make a choice Of the animal ne
or she intends fashion1ng, and the
competition begins. The mother may
act as Judge of this work and even go
90 far as to lend a helping hand to
the youngest Of the group of "sculp-
tors
This little game of cutting animals
from hard vegetables helps the BOY
and girl to become familiar with the
exact proportions of the various wild
creatures to whom he is related, for all
are the work of God.
After the vegetable animals have
been fashioned, they should be kept
in a cool place and it Is surprising
how long they will stay nice. A po-
tato pig. cut by an artistic little girl,
kent in very good shape for several
weeks. And to make Mister Piggy
look more natural the little sculptor
nainted spots on him with black ink.
During an idle evening just try cut
ting out vegetable Noah's ark You
NAV enjoy the work so much that a
little later you will begin modelling
figures in clay, or carving them from
wood. In this way many a genius
NAV be discovered and developed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
RUTH RECEIVED HER PRIZE.

Dear Editor:
I received my prize, which was
beautiful box of stationery, and thank
you very much for it.
How are you and all the Juniors oy
this time? I am fine and dandy.
For pets we have six Shetland
ponies, three cats, one dog, tnree
cats, one dog, three calves, two pigs
and seven bantams.
There were seven in this and ad-
joining township who passed the
eighth grade examination this year: l
received first honors. Our graduating
exercises were held on Wednesday,
June IL.
I saw in the Homestead a letter
from Lois Griffin, telling Of her camp
ing trip to a river.
I think good subject to write on
would be: What Would Do II had
a Million Dollars"
Ruth Goltry, age IL.
Russell, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
MARY WRITES AGAIN.

Dear Editor and Juniors:-I have
not written for quite while. will
now try and do so.
Well, I received my prize from the
Courier Junior. It was box of sta
tionary. In large lavender box.
did not expect a prize half that good,
and wish to thank the editor very
much
How are all of you Juniors? l am
fine and dandy, and hope you all are,
too.
NV school is out now and l have
been having dandy times during vaca-
ton. though it is pretty lonesome.
l was going to enter the contest
last week but I have been pretty busy.
I would like very much to hear from
the tSkirvin" girls, as I sent them /,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
CECILIA is GOING TO A PICNIC.
Miss Irline Treanor,
NINA Iowa

Miss Irline Treanor,
Numa, Iowa.
Dear Junior Friend / will write
you letter through the Courier Jun.
ior. Did you get the card l sent you?
l have received several sets OF pap.
er dolls, and about five beautiful post
cards from the Courier Junior. I
have never won a prize, although I
have worked in quite few contests.
l want you to write me a letter
through the Junior.
I go to the Elm Grove school, NY
school mates are Grace Neaterour.
Agnes Larkin, Jeanette and Christina
Wagner, Mary Coyne and Loretta
Larkin. My chums are Frances Cot.
trell, Florence Crabb and Cora Shotz.
We are going to have picnic at our
school the last day. Il am going to
speak. The name of my piece is THE
Reason Why" just love to read the
Junior, don't you? 1t seess like
friend to me. Answer soon.
Cecilia Huffman, Age IL.
Chillicothe, Iowa, Route 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15

cation this year, mammal was the
question she asked.
81; don't know, Audrey" said her
1 suppose" .-...
well, then, l will go to see Aunt
Margaret" said Audrey. Aunt Marga-
ret lived in Chicago.
ooh, mercy, child" replied Mrs.
Barns, that is too far for you to CO.
You must remember that you are only
a little girl, Audrey"
"No it isn't too far, either replied
Audrey. "You said could go any
where wanted to go and want to
go to see Aunt Margaret, and you
don't want me to co.
well, never mind Audrey. We will
talk it over"
After a while Audrey went up town
and while she was gone Mrs. Barns
asked Gertrude where she would like
to spend her vacation
Gertrude said she didn't care, but
she would like to go to the country
and visit Aunt Annie and Iona and
Floy. Iona and Floy were Aunt Ann1e's
little girls.
Mrs. Barns said she would talk 1t
over with Mr.. Barns after supper.
After supper when Audrey and Ger
trude had gone over to the neighbours
Mrs. Barns told Mr.. Barns what the
girls had said.
After a long pause Mr.. Barns told
Mrs. Barns that he would tell her the
plan he had thought Of. He then SAID
that Audrey could go to Chicago II
she liked and Gertrude could go to
Aunt Annie's. Mrs. Barns said she
liked the plan very we'll.
When the vacation had ended and
the girls had returned home Mr..
Barns asked Audrey if she had a nice
time at Aunt Margarets home. She
said that the vacation was long and
dreary one to her. Madge, she said,
wouldn't have anything to do with her.
Madge was Aunt Margaret's little
girl. And she also said that she
would never spend her vacation there
again.
"Now we are ready for your story,
Gertrude" said Mr.. Barns.
"Well," said Gertrude, 1.-The vaca-
ton ended all too soon for | had such
a happy time l had the most friends
and they all want me to come to see
them next year.
Ethel M. Hartwick, age 10.
r. No. 1, MoultOn, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
THE STORY OF THE EsQu'MAUx

The Esquimaux live in the far
north. r,,,,
They do not have any horses they
hitch the dogs up to little sleds anu
drive them. They make the harness
ont of seal skin and their sleds out OF
bones.
Their houses are made out of snow
and ice. In summer they live IN tents
close by the water.
Their tables are made out OF CAKES
of ice with seal skin over them.
In winter they live on fat that they
get from animals.
They grease the babies faces. the
mother packs her baby on her back.
The dogs don't get much to eat and
they try to eat the harness. They IKE
it because it Is made out OF seaisAln
The Esuuimaux make their own
clothes out Of fur.
Ruth Raglan, age II.
R. R. No. 6, Charlton, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
nv IDEA OF VACATION.

My idea of vacation is that after
children go to school all winter long,
they need rest. We get our minds
cleared up for another term.
Most children spend a part Of their
vacation with their grandparents or
some other relatives.
I think l will spend part of my va
cation with my grandmas, and cousins
at Eldon.
like to go to school but get tired
of it when I go a whole term and am
always ready for my vacation.
We are going to take our dinner
and 20 to the woods as often as we
can during vacation.
1 think children enjoy themselves
eating dinner in the woods. know
do.
Hazel Altman, Age II.
OttumWa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
"sUsIE" is BEATRlcE's PET PIG.

Dear Editor: AS 1 have only writ.
ten once before thought would
write again.
l have two sisters, their names are
Villa and Edna.
For pets we have pig named Susie,
a lamb named BERTHE, two cats whose
names are Tom and Jerry and one dog
named Van.
My mamma has quite few little
chickens and four little ducks.
My sister Edna has eight little Buff
Cochin bantams.
Our school was out May 81. We had a
picnic. My teachers name was Orpha
Barker. My studies are reading, arith-
metic, geography, writing, language
and spelling
I go to Sunday school at the M. e.
church at Selma. go nearly every
Sunday.
AS my letter is long will close now.
Beatrice E. Michael, age 9.
Selma, Iowa, R. R. No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
ALTA HAS THREE DOLLS.

February II. For my birthday I got a
few nice presents. Besides going to
school I help mamma to wash the
dishes and get dinner and sweep the
floor.
I have three large dolls, set Of lit
tie dishes and little brother II years
old to play with.
We have a little desk with little
black board so we play school some
have one pet sheep, one calf, one cat
and one large dog that watches the
tramps from the yard.
Papa takes the Courier and I enjoy
reading the Junior page, but felt very
sorry for Mr.. Felix.
Alta M. Fight
Pleasant Ridge Farm, r. No. 2,
Derby, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
WANT SHORT S1OHleo'

W. want some more short stores
W. will give ten prizes for the zen
hest stories sent in BEFORE June eho ~
The last prizes we gave IN me s .ie,,,
story contest were boxes OF pe pea, uiv u,
writing paper This time we WI, n srrs
something just as nice. If the junior .'h .
do not care to select their own So. suu,
tects one of the following Will make
, good story: 49,.
THE VIKING LAND.
STORY OF THE SHIP.
A MEMORY PICTURE Or WI
GRANDMOTHER.
= SUMMER TRIP TO THE NOUN
TAiN6. ~
1ur EAsURES IN JULY.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
ORA SAYS HER SCHOOL GROUNDS
ARE NICE.

Dear Editor and Juniors:-l think
we have a very nice school house
grounds. The, yard Is covered with
with grass We have many different
kinds of flowers and trees in our
school yard. Some of them are spring
beauties daffodiles, daisies, butter
cups, forget-me-nots, some shrubs are
rose bushes, Ivy vines, wygellia, lilac,
snow ball bushes. Some of the trees
are fruit trees. Those are peach,
many kinds of apples, walnut, cherry,
pear trees. We also have some rasp.
berry bushes and strawberrys, thunl-
BILE berries, black berries.
We had the flowers put in beds so
they wouldn't get tramped down. We
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

1 Use one side of the paper only.
write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil. s..u
8 Always sign your name III ioi''
and state your age.
4. Number your pages.
s. DO not copy stories or poetry anu
send us as your own WORK: u;.o
6. Always state choice or pli i1s
on a separate piece of paper WIN
name and address in full.
7. Address the envelope TO Eol'oi
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
BLANch HAS FOUR SISTERS

Dear Editor and Juniors:
AS I have never written to the
Courier Junior thought would write.
am a little girl IL years old. My
birthday is September II.
have four sisters and one brother.
My sisters are: Daisy, Mabel, RUBY
and Dorothy, my brothers name IS
Rollo.
For pets I have a big dog, kitten
and a pig.
live near Garrison Rock. MY papa
takes the Daily Courier. like TO
read the Junior page.
am a friend of the Juniors.
Blanche Dunning, age IL.
Agency, Iowa, Route No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
ALL YOUNG FOLKS ARE JUNIORS,
Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:
Thank you very much for the sta
tionery assortment you sent me and the
post card also. My little brother Clar-
ence received his post card also.
I would have written before but had
too many other things to do. I was glad
to receive long letter from Miss Elva
Huffman and will answer as soon as
can. I have been staying with my
grandma for nearly month. She has
been sick nearly all winter.
Our school was out the 7th Of June.
I had to miss the last day Of school.
They had a big dinner. would like
to ask the editor if we Juniors can
write to people that are not Juniors.
would like for more Of the Juniors to
write to me. .,.. g..
Letha Whitlock, age II.
.... Abba, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
EVERY DAY FOR MUTT
AND JEFF.

Dear Editor:
AS I have never written before
thought I would write. am boy 10
years Of age. I went to school every
day. My teachers name was Miss
Davis. I like her fine. am in the
fourth grade. My studies were reading,
arithmetic, language, geography and
spelling.
MY schoolmates are Richard Moore,
Alan Stickney, Raymond Coulter and
Glen Ware.
NV father takes the Courier and my
brother Herman and I watch every
day for Mutt and Jeff. We cut them
out and make book Of them. I also
like to read the Junior page.
Walden T. Smith.
(walden did not put. his address on
his letter.)
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
GROWN UPS!

Gee! I'd hate to be grown-up-
They don't have any fun;
They stay indoors and work or read,
They never play nor run;
And. don't you think it's funny,
when they can have their way,
That thew should choose to stay
indoors
And never, never play?
They won't play out in winter,
Because 1t is too cold.
And in summer they're too busy
oh! it's awful to be old.
It's lust the same at Christmas,
You'd think they'd like that day.
Rut mother sits in her easy chair
And says in a solemn way: ...
.Christmas is just for children;
It is nothing without you
fBut know she likes her presents
And she likes us to make them too.)
Then on the first Of April,
When we try to fool the folks,
Father saws it's nonsense
He's disguised with our jokes.
But when the circus comes TO town,
We're in such danger, then,
That sometimes one poor little boy
Ia protected by four men.
July Fourth is "dreadful'
When we expect the best,
Everybody's scared to death,
And Tige with all the rest;
And lately they've been workln,
With all their might and main.
These grown-up folks, to get Fourtf
That's "absolutely sane
II they keep on this safe old way,
We won't have any fun,
And they-well, they can't anyway
You bet when I've a son,
TIL 90 outdoors and be with him
Of course can't all day
suppose sometimes I'll have to work
But I'll find time for play.
r S. Stone.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
soME UNUSUAL STORIES.

Every once in while some JUNIOR ,,n
vrites what might be termed an un-
usual story. Well, in order to en-. en-,
o ueun this pleasant feature of the
I,a;or we have decided to give prizes
ser snch stories. These stories must De
~ ala Of actual happenings, not an
Imaginary story. ,, MT re-
,.eived their prizes we wish they would
IL 10 tnow at once. We want to keep
all our promises.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-15
A VACATION.

It was just two days since school
had been out.
Mrs. Barns and her two daughters,
Audrey and Gertrude, sat upon the
porch. Mr.. Barns was out OF town on
business and it seemed pretty lone
some to them.
Audrey was the oldest of the two
children. She was IL years OF age and
Gertrude was IL.
Audrey was the first one to break
the silence.
''Where am going to spend my va