davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

Mary Duhaime of Norwich: I want to thank you for your nice book. am reading it and then shall let my friend read it. The book is very interesting.
 Hazel Rourke of Willimantic: When I got home Thursday noon found the book. I think shall find it very in teresting. Thank you very much.
 Mary Nolan of Taftville: Many thanks for the nice book I received. It is very interesting.
 Richard Tobin, Jr., of Norwich: thank you very much for the book you gave me entitled "The Oregon Trail" I should not like the experience and hardships the traders and explorers had in reaching the Golden Gate in 134G.
 Mildred Carroll of Norwich: 1 do not know how to thank you for my lovely prize book It is the incest one l have won. I have read it and found it so interesting that think 1 shall read it again.
 Philip M. Johnson of Wauregan: I thank you very much for the Child's Reader in Verse. T have read it through and think it is very nice. l am reading King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table. and 1 will write again about some knights
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
GIRL PIONEERS.

America is to have her out-of-door trained girls as well as boys; and when the Boy Scouts started it was apparent enough that the Girl Guide movement of England would soon eX- tend to this country
 The new Girl Pioneers is an organ ization that corresponds to the Boy Scouts.
 So far as can be learned the new organization has for it's keynote the open air. honesty, self-reliance and regard for the other fellows plat form, promulgated by the now popular Scouts.
 The open-air training is just as good for the girls as for the boys. and it means a physically better developed race of girls with better training for despatch and systematic work than has been known to young women here tofore.
 The Girl Pioneer will develop into the new and more useful woman, just as the Boy Scouts will produce an inn proved and more progressive type of citizens.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
THE IMPRISONED SEA GULL.


 Here is a story the boys and girls will enjoy, because it shows how kind the birds are to each other It hap pened ill Boston narbor one day this week:
 A cake of ice was drifting slowly down past the end of T wharf with the ebb tide. Upon it was a gull. Overhead a flock of perhaps 50 gulls wheeled, swirled, volplaned and gy- rated, adding their squawks to that of the one on the ice cake. Now and then single bird or a pair would alight on the passenger carrying ice and poke an inquisitive bill at the occupant of the floating island and rise again with added cries. As the rusty -hinge-ltke cries of the flock continued, the numbers grew until there were several hundred of the birds lowering over the spot.
 The unusual commotion attracted attention on Long and T wharVes and glasses were trained on the animated scene in the haFboT One Of the big birds legs seemed 10 be caught in 9 crack in the ice, and it was unable tt free the imprisoned font,
 The cake slowly drifted out into the halbor Over on the East Boston side the long whistle of the Newtown told that the narrow gauge ferry was pulling out of her slip. The ice cake was drifting toward the lane travelled by the ferryboat on it's way to Rowe's wharf
 When the sound of the whistle crcssed the harhor, as many of the big gulls &s could find footing on the ice cake that held the imprisoned bird fluttered down to it's side, and formed a ring about the prisoner, and began to peck away at the ice surrounding tho damned foot, They worked like a trained gang of pick and shovel artists for fully five minutes, and then sud- denly all rose in the air, the unwilling messenger freed from the grip of the ice.
 Hardly had they taken wing when the port paddlevheel of the Newtown passed over the cake.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
THE ENEMIES MADE.

It used to be very pleasing to Pres ident Roosevelt to have the press re- mark that He deserved to be re- sDectSd for the enemies he had made" for he recognized in the sentiment not only a truth of which he was con- scious, but most commendable sense.
 The Bulletin is impressed that this same sentiment is due to President Taft, for he deserves to be respected for the enemies he has made" and it seems surprising that Colonel Roose- welt can be unconscious of the fact.
 Roosevelt was back of Taft, endOrs- ing him as able. honest and fearless, and predicted that he would make great president The admirers of Taft think Chat Colonel Roosevelt spoke well, and that the president has made a record which shows Roosevelt's measure of the man was not a false measure; and even. his enemies admit that Taft is the strongest candidate the republicans can put into the field today.
 Taft is not like Roosevelt; he is more like an electric current than an electric battery; he hurrahs less and has a quieter way of accomplishing his ends. He would not be dominated by Roosevelt with reference to the ar bitration treaties, and this fact shows his loyalty to his convictions and demonstrates that when he thinks he is right he cannot be swerved from the path by friend or foe That is a good reputation to go before the country with.
 Taft showed his confidence in the people when he said:
 Tt is because of my confidence that the republican party can point to defi- nite deeds already accomplished. to laws already in statute books and be- ing enforced and carried to a useful purpose, and to proposed statutes with a clear description of the terms and effect of such statutes, that l con fidently rely upon an ultimate verdict by the people in favor of the old re- publican party, the party of Lincoln and Grant, the most progressive party in the history of this country or any other country, the party of achieve ment, and not of broken promises, the party of liberal. effective government in which far-sighted economy is the watchword, without that spasmodic penuriousness which ignores great national needs on the score of political emergency, the party that stands by the fundamental principles of free and well-ordered government preserving the rights and equality of opportunity of the individual. and not interfering with the only steady. practical prog ress that is possible"
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
Mv coldest Winter.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am a boy thir- teen years old and live on a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres. I think this is the coldest winter I ever saw.
 get up at four o'clock in the morn ing and help the hired man milk. We are milking twelve cows. When we have done the milking, We go in and eat our breakfast, and tAsR my father goes with the milk to he depot
 At about eeight o'clock I start SsF school It is about one mile and three-quarters to school. l am in the eighth grade. There are fourteen scholars in my school
 We study Smiths Advanced Arith- metic and are in the highest history and geography used in grammar school, so my teacher says. We study at home every night. l am very fond of hunting and fish ing.
 I also like to take pictures. I have a Brownie Nc. ?.
 Your nephew
 HARRY BATON. i1nnpO Conn
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
Selected For Circle Reading
OLD TIME GAMES.


 Most mothers will recall the tunes to these old game songs, and they will delight little children who gen erally enjoy playing the same things that mother used to.
 For Here We go round the null berry bush" form a circle, with a lead CT in the center and sing the follow ing:
 Here we go round the mulberry bush, The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush. Here We go round the mulberry bush,
 So early in the morning.
 All stop and rub faces with hands and sing:
 This is the way I wash my face, I wash my face, I wash my face,
 This is the way l wash my face,
 So early in the morning.
 Joining hands again, all sing the first verse. then, This is the way l brush my hair" This is the way l wash my clothes.' This is the way I iron my cloJhes,' each illustrated with appropriate movements. The last two verses are: This is the way I go to school (slow steps). This is the way I come from school (quick stepsl. Children love action plays and this is a general favorite.
 T sent a letter to my love" is an other much liked game, A handker- chief is folded like an envelope the leader gives it tn a child, who walks ar6und in the inside ring singing:
 1 sent d letter To my love:
 | lost, l found iu-
 Illustrating by first holding the en- velope behind and then in front of her
 Looking Wonderingly around the cir cle. the player sings
 Who will take my letter, my letter,
 my letter,
 Who will take my letter to my love
 from me?
 Choosing boy, she approaches him, singing.
 Dropping the handkerchief at his feet, she runs across the other side of the ring. the boy runs and breaks through tho ring after her. If he can touch her with the letter before she gets into his place, she must send the letter back again; If not, the boy sends 1t, ete,-Detroit Free Press
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
Maine
Doinu My Chores.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought l would write and tell you about doing my chores.
 I have to do chores in the morning and at night.
 I have to clean out the stables and bed down the horses.
 We have three horses. l have a pair of steers. One night l drove them from the spring down to the barn. I have to feed the COWS. We have three horses. Their names are Dollie, Dewey and Fannie The steers names are Bob and Bill. We have two cows. and their names are Beauty and Paachy. Sometimes when l let the cows out to get drink they fall down upon the ice.
 Some nights it is very cold when I am dCing chores.
 Your nephew,
 CURTIS C. PLACE.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
LITTLE O7ISlNAL STORIES. How Doubled My First Money.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell you a true story about the first Sunday 1 went to Sunday school.
 I was about four years old. My two brothers had been going to Sunlay school for a long time with one of our neighbors
 Every Sunday 1 used to ask to go
 Finally the neighbor told my mother to let me go.
 So 1 was dressed up and given a penny by my m other to put into the contribution box. I felt very proud with the penny. did not understand what it was for, but 1 kept it clutched tightly in my hand
 I had been taught by my mother that when anything was pas sed to me, as candy, nuts, etc, not to take but one.
 So when they took up the collection instead of putting in the penny that I carried for that purpose, I simply took one out of the box and proudly bore two pennies home to show my mother
 The next Sunday I had to carry them back, together with another penny, and this time 1 made out to put them all into the contribution box.
 I will add that I never made the same mistake again.
 WILMA G. FRINK, Age Il.
 Scotland.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS.

1-Velma G. Frink of Scotland, a book entitled "The Water Babies" by Charles Kingsley.
 2-Margaret o'Connell of Norwich, a book entitled The House of Surprises 9 by L. T. Meade.
 S-Lucy Jane Place of Moosup, a book entitled Aunt Martha's Corner Cupboard" by Helen and Elizabeth Kirby.
 4-Harry Baton of Oneco, a book en- titled "A Childs Garden of Verses" by Robert L. Stevenson.
 5-LueIIa Medbury of South Coven- try, a book entitled "The Lone Prince" :" by Miss MuloCk.
 6-Madeline Merrill of Augusta, Me, a book entitled Animal Stories" by Hartwell Jones.
 7-Richard Moran of Norwich, book entitled "The Wild Man of the West, " by Winston.
 8-Frieda KethoVake of Norwich, a
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
How Abraham Lincoln Paid for
 Book.

How Abraham Lincoln Paid for a
 Book.
 Dear Uncle Jed: This month we celebrate the birth of two great states men, Washington and Lincoln This week I will write about Lincoln, and next time about Washington.
 My "Child's History of Lincoln" says that he was born on the south fork of Nolin creek, February 12, 1909, or 103 years ago. He was born of poor parents in miserable shanty.
 When Abe as he was called, was four years old, they moved to a better home; still, it was nothing but a log house with no floor, and one room be- low and loft above. There were no schools for him to go to.
 One day @ man who could not write himself opened what he called a school in his own cabin He could read pretty well and taught this to the few children he had but at the end of five or six weeks the school closed be- cause he had taught them all he knew.
 Abraham Eincoln, as a boy, loved books, and his father would often scold him when he found him reading when he should be doing his farm work.
 One of the first books he read was Pilgrims Progress" He always want ed to read the L1te or WaShlngtOn, so, knowing a friend of his father'G had a volume of it, he went and asked him if he would let him read it, and promised that he would be very care ful of it.
 Abe was very happy when he sat down that night with his book and read until it was very late.
 On going to bed he laid it down un- der a crack between the logs. A driv- ing storm came up, the book was wet from cover to cover, and Abe could scarcely keep the tears back; but he went at once to the owner with tho book wrapped up in a cotton handker- chief and told him what had hap pened. The man scolded him. He had no money to pay for it, but was will ing to do any work he wanted.
 The man told him he could work in his cOrnheld and cut several acres of corn in return for the book. Abe was glad to do this. and happy to think the book would be his.
 Abraham Lincoln became president of the United States March 4. 1881. Norwich. RICHARD.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
Father Valentine.

Dear Uncle Jed: wonder how many of the children of the Wide Awake Circle keep Valentine day. At my school we have a valentine box to put the valentines in.
 I have read that many years ago there lived kind man. He was called Father Valentine. He spent most of his time in visiting the sick. Every body loved him. even the squirrels would come and eat out of his hand.
 By and by he grew so old that he could no longer go about visiting his people and so he began writing let ters to them. After a time Father Valentine died, but we still keep his birthday-FebruaTy fourteenth.
 RUTH KINGSLEY, Age 10.
 Scotland Conn
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
Her Match.
Scotland.

Little Anna was five years old. She had a little brother Henry who was two and a half years old. They were playing party.
 Anna had eaten all her goodies. See ing Henry's spread out before him in a most tempting way, she raised her large blue eyes and said:
 Henry, play you said, Sister, won't you have some O my goodies?'"
 Little Henry, looking very grave, re- piled, Anna, play I said, I shan't do it."
 Anna dropped her head, feeling she had met her match.
 MARGARET O'CONNELL.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
LETTERS ID UNCLE JED.
Where Madeline Lives.

Dear Uncle Jed: I'm a little girl ten years old. and live on a farm near Augusta, the capital of Maine. I have lots of fun in the summer, playing dolls; and in the winter sliding on the hill in our yard.
 I have a little playmate-a girl 8 years old-who chums with me. go to school. and am in the eighth grade.
 We have a blueberry patch in our pasture that we get lots of money from.
 Now I have told you where I live, I would like to hear from some little girl, telling me what she does; and where she lives.
 MADELINE MERRILL.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
An Honest Boy.

One day, going down one of the principal streets of New York, a little ragged boy picked up a string of beads He was very happy indeed at having found them, because it was a very good Christmas present for baby Molly. But sad thought came in his mind
 Who lost them?"
 We'll. he knew that it wouldn't be right to keep them without trying to find the owner. On he trudged until he came to a dingy little room. As he entered the door he said:
 "Oh, look mamma! See what I've found"
 The mother looked in surprise.
 why, those are diamonds child! There is one hundred dollars offered to the finder of them"
 So up got Jamie and away he went till he stopped at a fashionable house. He was struck when just as soon as he rang the bell & lovely girl with swollen eyes stood before him.
 Have you found them ?' she asked, sobbing. ''Oh, Pm so glad she said, as he gave them to Ter.
 "An1 this is for he finder she said, putting a hundred dollar bill in his hand.
 JENNIE AfSHEFFERY, Age F.
 Taftville.
 Abraham Lincoln's Kindness.
 Abraham: Lincoln was one of our best beloved presidents. We celebrate
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15

Lawrence over sAC,OOO,oOO; and there were few who didAnot have money in the bank.
 I wish those people would learn to live as the people in good old Nor wich' do, instead of knocking boys and girls down on the street, they put their hands down into their pockets and gave their money to bring in new factories, like the Thermos, to give work to their boys and girls.
 RICHARD W. TOBIN, Jr., Aged 10.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15

his birthday this month, Feb. 12th. He was known as Honest Abe"
 He was very kind Che cold day he was out walking and came to an old man chopping wood. The old man was cold, but did not want to take time to go in to get warm, as he wished to finish his work before dark.
 Mir. Lincoln told him to go in and warm himself and he would split wood while he was getting warm. After a while the old man came out and to his surprise all the wood was split.
 He thanked MT Lincoln for his kind ness and each went their way.
 Your niece. AIlCE.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
UNCLE JED's TALK
TO THE CIRCLE

TO THE CIRCLE. The Wide Awake Circle has passed it's first anniversary. and the interest in the department is more intense than ever. Uncle Jed does not dare to count the number of letters on hand, and there are lots of good ones waiting. You will notice letter from little girl in Maine, and it may be pleasant for some one of our girls to correspond with her.
 We have several Lincoln stories this week, a nice Valentine story, and an up-to-date letter from Master Dick Tobin, Jr.
 Uncle Jed thanks Dorothy Pendleton for pretty card valentine-"pansies for thoughts
 The Wide-Awakes can write to one another in their letters to the Circle whenever they like to.
 Remember that the shorter the let ters are, the more can be got into the department, and the faster they will be used.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
lemon Culture.

Dear Uncle Jed; l thought that I would write to you about lemon cul- ture.
 We are studying the counuies of Eu- rope il. our geography and it tells about lemon culture in Italy aud souther, Europe; and as my grandmother nas 8 lemon tree | thought l would write, and that the rest Of the cousins would like to hear how they grow.
 The lemon belonsg to the same fam fly as the orange, citron and shaddocI. The lemon grows wild in southern Asia. The tree is like the orange tree and is grown in the same way
 The lemons arc cultivated in south eIn Europe and are also grown in Cali fornia and FIoriGa in this country.
 The tree that my grandmother has IS of pretty fair size and il has lemon on it now The tree is full of buds.
 The juice of lemons is used for cool ing drinks and as a medicine in cases of fever. colds. etc. ] ann r. years old.
 Your niece.
 LUC| JANE PLACE.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
Something Not Often Heard Of,

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell you what happened a while ago. It isn't very often you hear of selling cats, but my pet cat is so pretty and uncom- mon looking I was offered $2sfor him; hut I refused. I .old the ofrerer wouldn't take S10
 I went away on visit 9 week ago, and if you could see how pleased the eat was to see me when l came back. If he could talk I am quite sure he would tell me so He put his paws upon my shoulders as if to say 'Hellol'
 He had his pictures -aken a few times with me. But the thing he most enjoys is to be wheeled in my doil carriage. Well. guess I will close for the present
 Your loving niece.
 ELEANOR B. MORIARTY. Age n.
 WillimantiC
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
Oneco, Conn.
The oId erandfather,s corner.


 Dear Uncle Jed: Once there was a very old man who lived with his son and daughter -in-law. His eyes were dim, his knees tottered under hin. when he walked and he was very deaf. As he sat at table his hands shook SC that he would often spill the soup over the table cloth or on his clothes; and sometimes even he could not keep it in his mouth when it got there. His son and daughter-in- law were so annoyed to see his con- duet at the table that at last they placed a chair for him in a corner behind the screen and gave him his meal in an earthenware basin, quite away from the rest. He would often look sorrowfully at the table with tears in his eyes. but he did not com plain. One day, thinking sadly of the past, the earthernware basin which he could scarcely hold in his trembling hands. fell 10 the ground and was broken. The young wife scolded him well for being so careless, but he did not reply, only sighed deeply. Then she bought him a wooden bowl for a penny and gave him his meal in it.
 Some days afterward his son and daughter saw their little boy, who was about four years old, sitting on the ground and trying to faston to- tSether some pieces of wood.
 What are you making, my boy~ asked his father.
 T am making a little bowl for papa and mamma to eat their food in when I grow up" he replied. The husband and wife looked at each other with out speaking for some minutes At last they began to shed tears, and went and brought their old father back to the table, and from that day he always took his meals with them and was never again treated unkindly.
 LUELLA AfEDBURY, Age A.
 South Canterbury
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
THE COASTS WE MUST DEFEND.

Those who wonder why we need a larger navy do not realize what an extensive coast line America has to defend. It totals a distance more than seven times the circumference of the earth,
 The United States coast and geo. detic survey, however, has measured the exact length of the national coast line, with its fluctuations, adding up the real figures at 1S6, ,923 miles, or more than seven times the distance around the world. The table as off, cially compiled is herewith given and ig interesting as a matter of refer encs:
 7Tilae
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
The Rabbit That Was Foxy.

One day a rabbit came out of his home to look for food. When he came out he saw man standing by holding food in his hand that was tempting.
 But the rabbit knew he was up to some mischief so he crept slyly back into his house. In a few minutes he heard the report of rifle. He peeped out and saw the same man carrying one of his friends away-dead.
 This taught the rabbit a lesson. He said: ''Fhe man was trying to tempt me because he wanted to kill me.
 AGNES MARRIOTT. Age II.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
RuIes for Youna Writers.

hUIes TOT ToUhq WFItsFs'
 l. Write plainly on one side of the paper only and number the pages. 2. Use pen and ink, not pencil. 3. Short and pointed articles will De given preference. Do not use over 250 words
 4: Original stories or letters only will be used.
 5. Write ya,lr name, age and ad- dress at the top of the first page.
 Address all communications to Uncle Jed, Bulletin Office.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15

The Civies Bulletin of Norwalk says One organization of eleven hundred children pledged themselves to work together to make the town d happier place in which to live by do ing. everything possible to make it more healthful and beautiful. Civic pride aroused in children is an insur snco for the best possible future of any community"
Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-15
THE WIDE AWAKE CIRCLE
Boys and Girls Department

book entitled Rosy" by Mrs. Moles- worth
 Winner of books living in the city may call at The Bulletin business office at any hour after 10 a. m. on Thurs day.