davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
IDEAS OF A PLAIN MA
I've Found a Friend.
I have found a most wonderful thing Tt is a friend

have found most wonderful thing
 It is a friend.
 Strange! If I had found million dollar bill, or had been elected presi- dent of the Pawnee railroad, I should have made a feast and invited all the neighbors to come and rejoice with me.
 If had married wife there would have been great festivities, giving of presents, drinking of healths and go- ings on in general.
 If baby had been born at our house we should have celebrated the happy event.
 But here when I discover the real pearl of great price," the rarest and about the best thing there is, it seems to make no matter Nevertheless I am secretly elated. Just to meet a man who is genuine, human, liberal minded, sweet souled, hasn't any narrow, cranky notions, is clean and decent and fine--and likes ne-nothing can parallel my feelings but Keats Tines on reading Chap mans Homer" Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
 When new planet swins into his ken;
 Or like stout cortez when with eagle eyes He stared at the Pacific, and all his Looked at each other with a wild sur. mise, Silent. upon peak of Darien."
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
A Wonderful Escape.

A Wonderful Escape.
 1t seems impossible that any one can fall six thousand feet through the air and escape death or serious in- jury; yet short while ago such an event, incredible as it may seem. &C., tually occurred.
 Recently a well known German aero naut made an ascent in his airship, taking with him one passenger and two chauffeurs. The air vessel was small one with one motor surrounded by a balloon, the hull of the ship be- ing constructed of aluminium. In the presence of thousands of in terested spectators the ship flew up into the sky. Suddenly, when the ship was almost out of sight, and little more than a mere speck in the sky, | the balloon was seen to burst, and the | mortified spectators saw the airship dropping like a stone. Some fled, un- able to endure the sight, while others gazed, fascinated by the spectacle. As | the rent in the balloon increased, how ever, its envelope spread out, auto matieally, taking the form of a para chute, and checking its downward flight. To this cause the occupants owed their lives, for the airship land 1 ed in some trees, and the aeronauts suffered nothing worse than a severe shaking.
 RUTH HEAP. Age 13. l rof+yilIa
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
POETRY.
Wynken, BIynken and Nod.

WYnken, Blynken and Nod one night Sailed off in a wooden shoe Sailed on a river of crystal light Into a sea of dew. Where are you going. and what do
 you wish?'
 The old moon asked the three. We have come to fish for the herring That live in this beautiful sea; Nets of silver and gold have we"
 Said Wynken,
 Blynken
 And Nod. The old moon laughed and sang a song,
 As they rocked in the wooden shoe; And the wind that sped them all night
 long
 Ruff1ed the waves of dew The little stars were the herring fish That lived in the beautiful sea. Now cast your nets wherever you Never afeard are wei" So cried the stars to the fishermen
 three
 Wynken,
 Blynken
 And Nod. All night long their nets they threw To the stars in the tWinkling foam Then down from the skies came the
 wooden shoe,
 Bringing the fishermen home. Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed As if it could not be: And some folks thought twas dream they'd dreamed Of sailing that beautiful sea; But I shall name you the fishermen three Wynken, Blynken And Nod. | Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, And Nod is little head, And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies | Is wee ones trundle bed: | So shut your eyes while mother sing! Of wonderful sights that be, 1 And you shall see the beautiful thing. As you rock on the misty sea Where the old shoe rocked the fish. ermen three Wynken, Is Blynken And Nod. l Eugene Field
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
Lucy and an Indian Pony,

Once upon a time there was lit- tie girl and she was named Lucy. She was nine and she lived on a farm Lucy did not like to see the big horses, but only liked to have little pony.
 There was an auction going on, and she told her father to go and see if there were any little ponies, and if there were to get one for her
 So he said: What color do you wish to have?"
 She said: Any color you can get"
 So her father set off and on his way he met an Indian who asked him if he wanted to buy pony. The man asked: How much do you want for itT' The Indian said: How much do you want to give me for itT' Lucy's father said: Twenty five dollars"
 The Indian said: "The pony is yours.'
 He took the pony home and told Lucy about the Indian and the pony Lucy loved the pony very much be- cause 1t came from one of her ISdian girl friends father. She gave the pony the name of Nokomis. The pony would not grow any big ger and when the pony got killed Lucy was very sorry. ROSE ALMA DEMUTH, Age il. Baltic
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
Norwich
Extracts from a Puritan Maids Diary

Oct. 21-Our harvest is very good this year and we are still gathering it in.
 Oct. 30-Our crop of peas failed. but the barley father said was fairly good, while Indian corn grew abundantly.
 Nov. 3-Our people have taken a great many fish; and hunters found in the forest a goodly supply of birds and animals.
 Nov 12-Already there are seven houses built on the Brook street. not counting the Common house and fort with its palisade.
 Nov. 24-As soon as the harvest was over, Governor Bradford declared that there should be a time of thanksgiv | ing which would last three days. The governor sent out four men after such | fowls and animals as might be taken, and in two days they killed as many as would provide for all the people of Plymouth for week. Wild ducks, turkeys, and twenty deer were taken; and it was well we provided such a bountiful supply, for Massasoit came with 90 braves, and the Indians ate continuously. The four at our house did; but after the time ended they left for the forest and later returned with a fine deer as a present. In this way our harvest festival euded and I hope we shall have another next year.
 HANNAH L. M'VEIGH, Age 13. Norwich, Conn.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
UNCLE JED'S TALK WITH WIDE
 AWAKES.

There are many subjects to write about to the Wide Awake Circle be- sides things read or imagined. It would be interesting for the girls and boys to write about the little pur- suits they enjoy-their pleasant tasks or collections, how they pass their spare time, what they like to read, how they spend their evenings, the quiet indoor games they play, what they think they should like to become in life, and what interests them most birds, beasts or flowers.
 What the Wide Awakes should learn is that play, like some other agree able things, should be moderately in- dulged in. Since it is possible to make useful occupations as interesting as play and twice as profitable, play should find a weak Judgement in the mind.
 One thing all should strive to ac- quire is skill in whatever they under take to do and this is achieved by first resolving to do things we'll and ther doing them quickly. Do not think about what you are going to do, bu what you are doing now. Oftentimes what you are going to do depends upon how we'll you do what you al. ! ready have in hand.
 Good habits of the mind make tht pathway of life easier, and the younE | folks who realize this are bettel equipped for life's tests than thost
 who do not. Don't -want-to is the inn who tempts little folks to shirk littl, duties and to be saucy, and in the enC
 to be worthless if they do not turi him out. Do not entertain hinderer
 when there are so many helpers lik
 willing hearts and willing hands ant
 cheerful thoughts and good resolution to make the way smooth and pleasan
 and in every way satisfactory.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
THE DANGER OF cRANKs.

The frequency with which numerous cranks throughout the country show up to cause trouble or attempt vio- lenoe upon prominent men for fancied wrongs, or determine to blow up high Officials with dynamite, such as was planned in Los Angeles and caused un- Seld excitement this week, brings up the necessity of dealing with these people in a manner that will increase the safety of the public. Several pres idents have been shot and attacks made upon the lives of others, so that Is unsafe for them to travel with Sut small retinue of secret service Den. A plan to lessen and prevent crime and other abnormalities, espe- cially such as the Los Angeles affair, Or the attempted assassination of Col onel Roosevelt, is suggested by Arthur Macdonald, a criminal anthropologist Of Washington. He advocates the es- tablishment of laboratories or bureaus for the scientific investigation of crim- inals and other dangerous abnormals. He believes that every large city and every state and especially the federal government should have such lab oratory. and has bill pending before congress for such an end
 We have institutions for the care of such people after they are found out, but the important thing is to know in advance that these men are dangerous MT. Macdonald claims that by a pa- tient study of dangerous, unbalanced and often illusioned persons, who may De called nattoids, their eccentricities and peculiar behavior under different conditions of life can be determined tc such an extent that it will be able tc detect them in advance. Congress has not given the matter long considera- ton, but it is getting to point where 1T that IS the solution, it should be had
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
Mary Learned to obsx.

Once there was a little girl named Mary. She had a black and white pet dog, which she called lip.
 Every morning the dog would go to Mary's bed. He would lay there a few minutes. then he would get up and pat her and bark as if to say, Good morningl"
 One summer day, Mary took her dog down to pond near her house. She threw a stick into the water. The dog swan out and got the stick. She tried him afterwards many times.
 One day she asked her mother If she could go down to the pond. Her mother told her not to go.
 Mary went out at her play While she was playing, she thought she would go down to the pond with Jip and her mother would not know it Sc she went to the pond. 2 She slipped as she was walking on the shore. The dog dashed in and took hold of her dress and swan to shore safely. -Wher
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mildred Burbank of Moosup: I re- ceived my prize book and was very much pleased with it. I thank you very much for it.
 Edward kuchIe of Mansfield Center: 1 received my prize book and felt very much pleased. It makes my third book And I wish to thank you for It.
 John Hogan of Putnam: l thank you very much for the book. It is very interesting.
 Lucy E. Place of Moosup: I wish to thank you very much for book re- ceived recently. like it very much. I hope you will excuse me for not thanking you sooner but I have been very busy. Most every evening doing my examples and helping mother, and have to practice my pblano lessons, too.
 Bertha A. Fuller of Eagleville: l thank you very much for the lovely prize book. and think it very interest 1 ing.
 Ethel E. Place of Moosup: I thank you very much for the nice prize book you sent me. It is very nice story
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
The Great Woodsn Spoon.

Mamma had a great, wooden spoon which she used in the kitchen to stir up nice buildings and cakes.
 One day baby carried this big wood en spoon out on the back porch.
 Don, the little brown puppy, found 1t. T am going to have a good time with the big spoon" he said. At last Don grew tired and he left the poor spoon in the dead leaves under the oak tree
 Oh! where is my wooden spoon?' asked mother She looked for it ev- anywhere, but could not find it.
 One day when father was raking uI the leaves he found the wooden spoon.
 How did my spoon ever get there?' mamma asked. But Don and baby never told, because neither could talk MARGARET M'VEIGH. ,ia1,
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
SHOULD BETTER CONDITIONS.

The concluson of the trials in con- nection with the Rosenthal murder in New York city closes an important case in criminal history, both as to the character of the deed and the pro- cedure in running down and convicting the accused. Promptness has charac- terized the action in the case as di- rected from the district attorneys of- nce. All has been accomplished with fin a short time in spite of the handi- caps, and it has been demonstrated that fairness to all concerned can be occurred from the rapid trial of such fases as from the stringing tof them ou Into lengthy trials which are apt to result in befogging the jury. Justice Eeff has set an example in these trials which might well regulate criminal procedure. The cases have been ham, 6ltd by the court rather than by the lawyers, with excellent results. The verdicts by the juries have been in accord with public opinion and now it remains to be seen what effect ii will have upon the future conduct. ir the metropolis relative to graft, vice protection and gangsters.
 There Is no question as to what fl should mean, but 1t will require a de- tersnined stand against such conditions to effect any change. District Attor- pey Whitman believes that 1t meani the end of gangster rule and of gun. men. If the attitude of MT. Whitman end his office can be taken as an indi. cation 1t viii, but the police. who have played such an important part in tn, matter, havs their course outlined, ant
 t should be followed. Public senti tnsat has been strong factor in tn, ease. Conditions there were wretched and the same strong public opinion must still be exerted to keep those in clined from returning to their nefari ous pursuits.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
Lizzie the Elephant.

Wombuelps collection of wild beasts was once the most famous in Europe.
 Among the animals was a beautiful female elephant named Lizzie
 While visiting a town in England, Lizzie was taken very i'll with an at tack of collie. A doctor in the place brought some medicine which saved Lizzie's life.
 Some days afterwards the animals were marching through the street. Lizzie caught sight of the doctor standing in his shop, and stopped at the door. The doctor came out to see what was the matter when Lizzie thrust her trunk gently towards the doctors hand. The doctor took hold of the trunk and patted it in a friendly way, to LiZzie's great delight. After little of this caressing. Lizzie marched forward again with evident pleasure.
 All animals are grateful for kindness and none more so than elephants. ADELLE DEMUTH. Aged 12. Baltic.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
ch.rI;.,. Trio to Mansfield.

Dear Uncle Jed: was reading tds Wide Awake Circle and I thought would write you about my trip 10 Mansfield Center, last summer.
 My Grandma and took the cars at Cenferville, R. L, for Wfllfmantc There we took a team and drove l-2 miles to my Grandma's Uncles.
 I went fishing and had good luck
 One day we took an auto ride 10 South wilmington and got an Aunt and brought her to my Uncle's.. She was there three weeks; then we took her back in the auto.
 It was a pleasant ride, as we went through Storrs, and I saw the school buildings. I hope I can go to scnooi there when I am old enough.
 I was in Mansfield seven weeks ana enjoyed 1t very much. I shouh have liked to have stayed longer, but had to 20 home to go to school.
 Nv Uncle gave me the bayonet tha' he carried through the civil war
 When write again I will tell you abouf my school in Rhode Island.
 -- CHARIE s. HART, Age Il. : Hope R. l.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
Onecc
He Thought They'd Live.

Dear Uncle Jed: A man was driving a flock of sheep to a slaughter house when stranger stopped him and said: What are you going to do with those sheep?"
 T am going to kill them" said the butcher.
 The stranger looked the sheep over carefully.
 "Oh, don't believe I'd do that, said he. If you feed them up awhile think they will live"
 TROY I. MAIN, Age 12.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
The poas freed a Coon.

On Saturday morning this fall my friend and myself with our dogs start ed off to the woods. We had not gone very far when we discovered a coon up a tree.
 I stayed and watched the coon. while my friend went to the house of a neighbor and asked him to come and shoot the coon for US.
 This he did, and we fastened the coon to a stick, which we carried be- tween us.
 When we arrived home we weighed the coon and found that 1t weighed eight pounds and five ounces.
 The next day man skinned it for US and we divided it between the two of us.
 After my part had lain in salt wa ter for twenty-four hours my mother cooked it. We ate it for supper and all liked it very much. My friend also said he liked his part WILLIAM M'CLOUD, Age Il. South Windham.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
Mansfield (
Al GaIea Ferry.

Dear Uncle Jed. would like to tell you about the boat race. We went to Gales Ferry in launch and when we arrived there we had to walt about q half hour before the boats were ready to race. While we were waiting we saw all kinds of launches, yachts and canoes.
 There was one launch which was oak color that could go eighty miles an hour.
 The yachts had all sorts of flags on them.
 When the boats were ready to race the marine patrol came up to our launch and others to tell us to get out of the way.
 The boat race started and Harvard was ahead till they got near us and Yale got ahead, but it was only for a little while: Harvard sped ahead and won by five boat lengths.
 EDWARD MSHEFFREY, Age IL TaffVillp
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
He Cauqht the Thief.

Uncle Jed: For the past two months something has been taking our chick ems. There has been about twenty taken.
 I thought it was an owl that was carrying them away, as I would find them all over the farm, nearly eaten up.
 put steel trap on top of a pole and put it near the hen roost. Mon day morning when I went out to do my chores 1 saw Mir. Owl dangling down the pole with one foot in the trap.
 I took the pole, trap and owl and put them on the ground. You ought to have seen him wink and snap his bill at me, I have him in cage The owl has large head with effos- nous eyes looking forward. This owl has two feathery tufts on his head, greatly resembling horns. It is [ horned owl.
 TROY I. MAIN. Age If | Norwich. e
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
A Mysterious Noise,

In the village of Plainville. Conn, was a large farmohuse, which was said to be haunted At times it would be the only vacant house in the vil- lage, still no one would move into it.
 At one time house was wanted by certain family. This house hap pened to be the only vacant one in the village at this time. The people had been told beforehand that the house was haunted, but they thought they would try 1t. The first night they heard a strange, rumbling noise. At first, they were frightened, but finally decided to investigate. On reaching the attic they saw about a dozen rats running around. This house was al- ways occupied after this, and was nev- CT called the haunted house" after this.
 MYRTLE M. M'CORD, Age 13.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
The First Thanksgiving.

Dear Uncle Jed: In 1620 the nrst settlement in New England was maoe at Plymouth. The Pilgrims came here because they wanted to worship God as they pleased.
 The English government hao tfesAeu them so badly they resolved to go to America.
 They set sail for America in two vessels, the Speedwell and the May flower. The Speedwell began to leak: Over a hundred passengers crowded into the Mayflower. Nine weeks they were on the ocean.
 Severe storms drove them out ot their course and forced them to take refuge in Massachusetts bay, instead of going farther south as they had planned: but the land about the bay | belonged to the Plymouth company; Before they landed they met ln the cabin of the Mayflower, and wrote a paper promising to obey whatever laws were made. After the paper had been signed, a party went ashore. to | explore the country, and to ind suitable place for their home. It was | November and cold. | In Plymouth there is a rock where the explorers stepped ashore. Decem | Der twenty first, the day of their land | ing, is called Forefathers' day, and IS l celebrated in their honor.
 There was no room to spare, even when they were on land, for after they | had been in Plymouth all winter and all summer there were but seven houses built. Some still had to re- main on the Mayflower. | One after another fell i'll, and at one time only six or seven were vel enough to take care of the others Thraa and four died a day.
 The Pilgrims did not waste theii time searching for gold; they cleared the land and planted corn.
 Squanto showed them the Indiar way of making sure of rich soil fol corn by putting a small fish into eacf hill; and he taught them many othel things.
 When the first autumn came, tbe! were so happy at having a good har vest that Governor Bradford appoint ed day for Thanksgiving and invited all the Indians.
 EVA OATES, Age 10.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
A Chinese Dou Story,

A Chinaman had three dogs. When he came in Zone evening, he found them asleep on his couch of lockwood and marble. He whipped the dogs and drove them forth.
 The next night when the came came home the dogs were lying on the floor. But he placed his hand on the couch and found 1t warm from their bodies. Therefore he whipped the dogs again.
 The third night. returning home a little earlier than usual, he found the dogs sitting before the couch, blow ing on 1t to cool 1t off. VIOLA SULLIVAN, Age 12. Taftvflle.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
PRIZE BOOK WINNERS.

1-Myrtie MoCord of Norwich, Break O Day Boys" by Victor St. Clair.
 2-Sofie Musial, Mansfield Center, ''The Lame Prince" by Miss Muloch.
 s-Ruth B. MccoIum, Mansfield De- pot, "F-or Lilias," by Rosa N. Carey.
 4-Hannah McVelsh of Norwich, 'arhe Green Mountain Boys" by D. P. Thompson.
 5--WiIIiam McCloud of South Wind ham. Peter the Whaler." by W H. c. livingstone. s-charIes s. Hart of Hope. R. l.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21

Massachusetts is surely up in arms A Dill has been filed at the state house for the taking over of the Boston & Maine road by the state for future op- srztion by the state for the benefit of the people. There is strong feel ins that the New Haven road is not yfvink them a proper administration of the road The state reserved the right to take control when 1t sanctioned the change few years ago.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
rhe oId Patchwork ouiit.

Dear Uncle Jed: I will tell you about the patchwork quilt: She joined the blocks with lowing care, And set the dainty stitches; A thrifty dame in olden days Of tallow dips and witches; And every row of herring bone; q. Each block so nicely shaded, Can tell story of its own,
 Though badly worn and faded. ,-
 MARY ROSE MONTY, Age ,. South CanfeTbglT-y.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21

Lots of energy is being wasted on the tffort to purchase Monticello. If 1t was in bad hands and likely to go to ruin. 1t would elicit much support but as the owner of Jefferson's home Is doing all the government could and refuses to sell why disturb his peace ! He may yet give it to Uncle Sam.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
The Team Horses.

Dear Uncle Jed: We have two horses One of them is black and the other is brown and white. They are very gen. tie horses. My father takes them to work every day. They are tired when they get home at night They draw large loads at the quarry; and one of these horses is very old. When 1t is storming they come after me with the team. The horse that knows it's name is Sue.
 KATHLEEN NISBET.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21

When Senator Borah says of the re-
 publican party, that is the party in
 which I have fought so far, and I shall continue to fight there" he has
 made up his mind and buckled on the ] sword.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21

It reads funny, but it is claimed that President Mellen is going to Boston to talk on trolley roads. This is an inn portant subject in Massachusetts, but 1t can hardly overshadow railroads just now
Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-21

Deer hunting in Massachusetts is permissible this week. One man has been shot, probably fatally, and an other has lost his hand. It certainly is dear hunting.