davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
TWELVE OLD DRESSES

That plain old white muslin is hor- rld!" she said to herself, but then it would be so nice if Belle could have part of the fun. too
 Was it a white angel that stood at the little girls side and made it seem better to please Belle than to wear her pretty dress? Nobody saw the wings, but believe an angel was there.
 At the noon recess Mildred and Belle ran up to Mary Clifton with bright faces.
 70 Mary" cried Belle, gayIy, please ask me over again to come to your party; l want to say yes this time. Did you ever know anything so sweet ? Mildred is going to wear her plain old muslin dress to keep me from feeling bad"
 You won't mind having us in old dresses, will you. Nary" asked Mil dred in a joyous tone. We are going to carry big punches of flowers out of my garden. and that will make us look fine"
 Mind, indeed!" cried Mary, T just believe"
 She stopped off, and kissing the two little girls, hurried away without fn- ishing her sentence.
 But when the twelve fairy lamps were ilghled, Mldfed ana Belle Iound Oul what bright idea had struck Mary, for all twelve girls wore oid dresses and carried punches of flowers.
 Now. I'm never going to mind about my old dresses again." said Belle, as she kissed the others goodbye. You may all wear the newest sort of dress ] es after this, and when I put on my white I'll feel happy to think how 1 sweet you all were to me about it i I'll just love the old things. ."-OhvS i Plants
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20

Its going to be a beautiful party, mother. There are to be twelve girls, and each one is to have fairy lamp at her plate. Oh, no! not twelve, eith- CT. there will be only eleven of us. Belle Marks don't go."
 Why won't Belle go?" asked Mil dred Smiths mother.
 Because she has nothing to wear but an old dress, a real old muslin that has been washed and alarmed. All the rest of us have new dresses, and you know Belle would feel bad. We are sorry! Everybody loves Belle, and she knows So many nice games to play"
 Couldn't you persuade her to go?' psked Mrs. Smith. It seems to me she could have just as nice a time in an old dress
 %, no. mother, she would feel queer l offered to lend her a dress q knew you would let mel, but she wouldn't take it."
 T like her all the better for that, said mother. But, Mildred, did you offer to wear your old dress, too? May be that would make her willing tc go"
 Wear my old dress? o mother, l don't want to do that"
 Very we'll" said Mrs. Smith. q won't say any more about 1t. Wher you get to have as old eyes as mine little daughter. you will see that a fine dress is one of the smallest things ir the world-a great, great deal smaller i than giving to anybody d single holff's pleasure. But perhaps I am asking too ! much to expect you to see that yet" Mildred went off to school feelina very much siirrefae dp in her littl' mind The thought of the new blue dress with it's little frills and lace wa: ] very tempting.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
IDEAS OF A PLAIN MAN

Standing one day by the Bridge of the &races over the Arno, in Florence where the river was up and yellow with recent rains and raced like a tawny mil-raCe through the arches. l noticed that below the bridge the wa ter not only swept downward where 1t came through the open spaces, but also seemed to flow backward and up- stream behind each of the huge piers.
 Wherever there is an obstruction in a stream there is a counter-current And this is true not only of a stream of water but of streams of thought and of feeling, and of those streams we calle age tendencies, epochal trends, and currents of public and social prog gress.
 Unfortunately, most observers are In inc Water and not On the Bridge above 1t. fish can have no notion of the real drift of things
 So we have all sorts of conflicting explanations of the currents of our times. One thinks the world is ran idly going to the bad, another that the millennium is approaching, some be- lieve we are drifting to anarchy. oth- CTS toward the Man on Horseback: in France, one group conceive that the country is sweeping toward atheism another that a spiritual regeneration is taking place so in China, in India in Russia. everywhere tine march oi 1 events is now declared to be east and again west
 The one who comes nearest to know l ing is the Philosophers He is the De tached Soul ile stands on tho bridge He sits on the fence. Perhaps he is oi not much use at least so some would tell us, but at least he can See: that is. provided he himself is not caught in some eddy But the only one wh. certainly knows is God sitting alone "on the circle of the heavens"
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20

cried Think of me bearing burdens for 30 years!"
 well" said the king, you shall live for IS years"
 So the ass was satisfied.
 Next came the dog. You may have 30 years,' said the king.
 "Oh, master, think of my plight. Think of me working hard all day for my master and then getting nothing but bone to eat"
 Very we'll" said the king again; you may have F years"
 So the dog was satisfied
 Next came the monkey. The king gave him the same number of years. He pleaded for less.
 Just think. oh king, how hard have to work making fun for others and receiving only old sour apples in return
 Well, then, you may have 10 years for your life period"
 And the monkey was satisfied.
 Next came man. You may have 3( years" said the king.
 That is not enough" said man. Then you may have the IS years oi the ass.''
 Not enough" man said.
 You may have F years of tht dog" Tt is not enough"
 Well, you may have 10 years O. ! the monkey" Man wanted to have more, but h, | could not so mans age is 70 years. l His first 30 years are real happy 1 the next IS years are of hard labor his next F years he must sit around i he spends his next 10 years making 1 fun for people, and people say he's il his second childhood. HILDA DRISCOLL, Age 12. l Montville.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
A Brave Girl.

Elizabeth Zane was a girl about six teen years old. When the revolution began, Elizabeth's father was sent to an outpost called Fort Henry.
 He went and took his family One day an attack was made on the little fort. As the men were unprepared for this about thirty were killed. Those who escaped made up their minds to defend the fort until the last.
 When the powder was nearly gone, one man remembered that a keg of powder was in an outhouse. If they could only get it! He called the men together and asked if any one would go.
 Two young men at once offered their services. But as only one could go, a dispute arose between them.
 Elizabeth stepped out, and said: Let me go!"
 They tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen. So she went. The Indians did not notice her. When she was coming back they grew suspi- cious. She didn't mind them, but hurried on. Suddenly a shower oi arrows came flying in every direction She hastened and reached the fort in safety.
 The powder enabled the men to open a vigorous fight upon the Indians, who suspecting help was at hand, with drew.
 MARGARET MVEIGH, Age TO-
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
STOPPING CHILD LABOR.

There is a growing tendency to stop the employment of children in mills and factories until they have re- ceiyed grammar school education or until they have at least reached the age of fourteen It is surprising but nevertheless true, that there are a million children today under sixteen years of age employed in the various industries of the country, and as many more engaged in agriculture, but only about half of those are assisting their parents on the farm.
 The first child labor law was passed in 1876, and since that time laws have been passed in 39 states. The northern states do not permit children to work under fourteen, and four of the south ern states forbid it by law for the pur- pose of reducing illiteracy, checking poverty, preventing the lowering of the wage scale. the disintegration of the family, and racial degenracy. One in seven of all the children between the ages of ten and fouhrteen, are not in school and go to make up large portion of the six million illiterate in the country Illiteracy is being re- duced and the child labor law is proving a big factor in helping the reduction. There are many phases of the problem. but utter indifference to the future of the child and the country is manifested where young children are made veritable slaves and required to work long hours with no opportun- ity to learn to read or write.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
A Misar.
Norwich.

A miser, to make sure of his prop erty, sold all that he had and con- verted it into great lump of gold, which he hid in a hole in the ground, and he went continually to visit and inspect it.
 This reused the curiosity of one of his workmen, who, suspecting that there was a treasure. when his mas ter's back was turned went to the spot and carried it away.
 When the miser returned and found the place empty, he wept and tore his hair. But a neighbor who saw him in this extravagant grief, and learned the cause of 1t, said:
 Fret myself no longer, but take a stone and put it in the same place, and think that 1t is your lump of gold; for as you never meant to use it. the one will do you as much good as the other"
 ANNIE RABINovITCH, Age Il.
 Norwich,
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
PARENTS, RESPONSIBILITY.

When the many avenues of wrong influence are considered and the fre- ouent revelation of distressing cendi- tions made, it Is apparent that the responsibility of parents grows greater each dag Parents can well ask them selves if they are exercising the proper restraint upon their sons and daugn- ters at the most critical point of their lives. a time when the influence Tor good should prevail.
 This important matter was dwelt upon by Miss B. E. Kennard before the national conference of charities and corrections, who said! The pres ent freedom of girls from parental control and authority makes self-con- trol and iuner-restraint necessary 70 their safety They are sophisticated to some extent, but far less than their confident manner would indicate, and are too young to regulate their emo tions The continuance of the race and its welfare, which is the main bus mess of life. is being left in the hands of careless children without any prep arauon or guidance whatever. The safeguarding of our dance halls and places of amusement against the more obvious dangers is well but not enough Training must be given in the homes developing moral earnestness; in the schools, giving safe channels for emo- ton through art and music, and social centers by vigorous games, folk dances and other emotional safety valves
 It is all too evident that the lack of the proper home influence and in terest is at the bottom of the existing conditions and that parental responsi- bility has grown lax both in dress and freedom of the young people.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE.
 AWAKE CIRCLE.

The little June firefiies are making tde June nights bright in the country, and how many of our little readers know the firefy is the glowworm's mate, which does not fly; and if it was moi for the sparkling light in the grass which you do not see, there would not be such a wonderful sparkling in the air to excite your curiosity and admi- ration. The fireflies are homeN little people of the night. and would never be noticed except for their brilliant way of signalling their mates. The firefiy of the tropics is an ugly looking beetle which when laid upon it's back will spring in to the air-hence it is known as a spring beetle. These beetles emit light from spots on their back and from all the rings of their body, and it is so bright that the creole women wear them in gauge bags for ornaments at night; and one or two of them in cage will give light enough to read by. They are often brought alive to New York
 and sold. And the great lantern-fly of Surinam is as big as a bat and gives forth a light as bright as that of a shooting star, sometimes of a beautiful purple. They frighten people who are not accustomed to them. While Amer ican children play with our firehies, the children of equatorial countries do not pay with their larger frefies because they excite fear. How these creatures create their light the ablest men have not yet been able to discover.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
School Days.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would write you about our school. 1 am in the fifth grade and never stood back yet. My teachers name is Miss H. A. Murphy, and l like her very much.
 In our school we have reading, writ ing, arithmetic, English and geogra- phy. We also have singing.
 Every May we celebrate Mayday in our schoolyard. We have Maypoles and all sorts of races and dances.
 Starting from my room, we get re- port cards. There are nine grades in our school and there are about 800 pupils in the school There are 25 pu- pils in our room, and We are hardly ever late. If nobody is late the whole week we get a flag on Friday. We have IS flags already. l think l will close my letter.
 IDA SLOSBERG, Age 10. Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
Plants Flower Seeds.

Dear Uncle Jed: I have 8 very pleasant school. like to go to school very much. We play ball.
 We go up on the lodges in the woods back of the schoolhouse every pleasant afternoon and get violets and one day one of my schoolmates killed snake that was four feet long.
 One day we went down in the meadow below the ledges after white violets and got our feet wet.
 We planted some flower seeds on the school ground.
 1 have a little brown calf. It is a week old and it's name is Flora. I have two dogs whose names are Jack and Hessie. l have a little brother and sister, IRENE UPTON, Age 10. West Ashford.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
My Visit to the City.


 One morning when I got up I was told that I was to go to the city, which surprised me very much; but l was glad to go.
 My father was to go with me. and soon we started for the station, which was ten miles away. We left our horse at a stable as my father was to come back the next day. We hurried for the station, for it was most time for the train; but we got there in time, for the train was late.
 It was about the last of January but I enjoyed my trip very much From the train I saw some people cut ting ice, which was very interesting We had to go over the Connecticut river and through Hartford, and we could see the dome to the capitol where my father had been.
 At last we arrived at our station Nobody was there to meet us because they were not sure that we were com ing, but it was not far to my aunts so we did not mind the walk
 On the way We bought some boxes of candy for our cousins.
 We arrived at my aunt's house which was very large, just about 2 o'clock, and they were glad to see us went to bed early that night, as l was quite tired and was very much disappointed the next morning to find it raining. I had a nice time helping my aunt while it rained that day. went to the theater and had some nice rides after their little pony.
 At last it was time to come home and my aunt and cousin came with me
 was very glad to get there, and the old dog came and jumped upon me he was so glad to see me. was very glad to get back, for after all there is no place like home. SALLY WRIGHT, Age IA.
 West Ashford.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
A Pleasant outina.

I had my lunch basket all packed, ready to start the next morning on a pleasant outing.
 l was to meet my companions, sev- en in all, about a mile away. We were to take the trolley from there, to within one-half mile of the pine grove we were going to.
 When we got off the trolley we went through the old wood path to the grove which was very pretty. There was lake near the grove, and we hired some boats and rowed down the lake to a cove that we thought would be a good place to fish. At last we caught a good string of them.
 After quite a search, place was found. Here we ate our lunch which consisted of sandwiches, cake, pie and our fish. When lunch was over which had certainly tasted very good after our long tramp, we played hide and seek for about an hour until soma one suggested that we sit down an( tell stories until it was four o'clock.
 Most of them were exciting and in teresting. After this we made oul way back through the old wood patf that we enjoyed so much. I reached home about five o'clocl and felt that I had spent pleasan day in the woods.
 CAROLINE WRIGHT, Age 12. West Ashford.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
SECOND VICTORY FOR TAFT,

The Taft forces again showed their Supremacy at Chicago on Wednesday when the roll call vote showed tha- they were not only able to hold their own but to gain over the vote on Sen Rtor Root This cannot help being dis concerting to the Roosevelt forces, for the favorable vote on the seating of the delegates who had been contested Nas, in fact, an endorsement of the action of the national committee. The vote Co lay on the table the motion of Governor Hadley's which opposed the action of the national committee, was the best opportunity the delegates had for rushing to Roosevelt if they had any intention Of so doing. It is on that very point that the Colonel has been hammering away for the last two weeks, and the fact that Taft gained thereon is excellent proof of the pres adent's strength. It was the trump card of the Roosevelt forces and 1t lost even with the added strength of practically the United LaI'ollette and Cummins delegates.
 Every pressure was brought to bear and even a big feminine demonstration was intended to start a stampede, but it failed. II was a test which showed Taft to be gaining and a number who voted against the tAbling of the mo- ton will be supporting his nomination when the time comes Roosevelt has set forth his dictatorial policy no more plainly than by his trip 10 Chicago, his attitude towards the delegates and the national republican committee He Is even determined to bolt against the will Of the leaders in his campaign. The result of the second ballot, while not making positive the presidents renomination, strengthens the belief that he will receive it on the first ballot and that Roosevelt will carry out his inclination to bolt.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
CANADIAN TARIFF

lt is quite evident that Canada has not entirely given up all thoughts of reciprocity and benefits 10 be derived rom better trade relation with the United States. While the conservative party is in control, yet they are. by tariff changes. which it is possible under the Canadian rule to put in operation ar once, making such reduc- lions IS will benefit their manufactur- CTS. Though the party is committed 10 nigh protective tariff they have made such reductions as will permit raw and partly finished material being taken across the border at a much low CT figure to be made into finished goods. Strangely enough, most of the reductions in the new list apply in goods received almost entirely from this country
 Reciprocity is by no means dead in Canada and it will be an important feature before the next session of tba Canadian parliament. II is Co be ex- pected that the western section. which is being wonderfully built up. will claim recognition of its needs and thar he grain interests as well as inc man iufacturing interests will require rec ognition in the distribution of benefits. With the system of governmental grain elevators in Canada d failure. and in . adequate provisions for the storage of their big crop of wheat last year. the same conditions are indicated for this year with the chances that they will again have to ask neimission to store grain in this country 10 protect il. All such conditions make 1t possible for Canada to make the next move for rec iprocity, in view of the fact that the preferential duties made for the bene6, of the mother country has brought nc adequate return
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

EVA ALPERIN of Gurleyville: re- ceived the wonderful book you have sent me. l thank you very much for it.
 JOHN SULLIVAN of Baltic: I thank you for the beautiful book you sent me. It is very instructive.
 DONALD E. PECKHAM of South Windham: I thank you very much for my prize book. l like the bird stories very much
 KENNETH W. MAIN of Norwich: l thank you for the prize book you sent me last week. I like it very much and have read it half through. I like stories about the war.
 Henrietta BurIey, of Plainleld: thank you very much for the book you sent me- and I enjoy reading it. Sat urday was my birthday and I counted it as one of my birthday presents.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
POETRY.
Said a Little FireHy.

BY GARNET NOEL WILEY. Said a little firedy
 In some golden-rod To a little June bug
 Sitting on a clod: Better not go hummiRg through The dewy fields by night, Lest an ogress follow you
 And fasten you up tight In bottle big and blue,
 Just to see your light" Said a little June bug
 Sitting on q clod To 8 little firefly
 In some golden-rod: Better not go flying out Through the fields by day There's a giant roams about Only yesterday He bound my leg with leashes stout And bade me fly away" "Hist!" said the firefy
 Tn some golden-rod; "Listi" said the June bug
 Sitting on clod: Here they come; make not sound To wings! Away! Away" But when l looked I only found Aiy babies two at play.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
STORIES FROM wTDE-AwAkEs.
Howl AIice Was Punished.

How Alice Was Punished.
 There was to be a surprise party for Grace Rowland on the afternoon of June 10. It was a surprise party even to those who were invited, for Mrs. Rowland had not sent them the invitations, but had sent them to their mothers, requesting them not to tell their daughters, but to send them to her house on some trif1ing errand, and when they all arrived there they would be told of the party.
 Alice's father had purchased a new clock and even though Alice was ten years old she could not resist the temptation to turn the hands forward little.
 Alice's mother gave her a package to take over to Mrs. Rowland. Alice quickly ran down the street, but as soon as she was out of sight of the house she sat on the wall and opened the package. She knew this was not right, but she did not care. The package contained box of chocolates which Alice's mother had intended as a present for Grace. When Alice saw what was in the box she jumped off the wall, saying to herself T will go into the woods and eat these'
 As she walked along she did not notice where she was going until all of a sudden there was a splash! and 1 she had fallen into a brook She l jumped up and ran home. and her mother was about to clean her up and send her back to the party when glancing at the clock. she noticed how late it was. and so she put her to bed | instead
 And this is how Alice was punished | for if she had not eaten the candy | she would not have fallen into tho 1 brook, and if she had not turned bacl | the hands on the clock she could have 1 gone back to the party. for 1t was no as late as her mother thought, fol | the clock was an hour and half fast
 MILDRED CARROL, Age 1S. l Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
What the Sun Did.

Dear Uncle Jed: I live on a farm in Columbia, Conn. l have hens and chickens all my own. I set hen with 13 eggs and she matched 10 chickens. The night she matched she left them. They all died, as I supposed, but one, so I threw them away
 The same night, while fishing. I heard noise in the bushes, and it was one of the chickens. The sun was so hot that it brought him to. He is still living and grows very fast.
 CLAYTON LYMAN, Age 15.
 Columbia.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-20
A Useful Wauon,

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell you about my brother Arthur's wagon. Arthur had fine wagon. He made it himself out of an old soap box.
 Sometimes he makes an expressman. He runs errands for mother. He brings home the groceries in his wag- on. Mother calls him her little helper.
 BLANCH GAUTHIER, Age Il. Brooklyn.