davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16

He was a very poor boy. George hac
kind father and he always tried tt
make him happy.
His father never scolded. Whenever
his little boy would do wrong he woulc
try to make him understand what was
wrong and what was right.
George was a very thoughtful boy
and always tried to do right.
Once George had rosy checked
apple. He knew he ought to share the
apple with his brother and sister. II
took him a long time to make up his
mind to share it. .-.. .
One day his father took him out
walking in the orchard. The trees
We're loaded with apples his father
said "see" how generous mother ma
ture is with her apples. George said
20 father never will be stingy again
never will as long is l live.
George was given new Ratchet, OF
course he was proud of it's bright
sharp edge. He went about cutting
everything that came in his way.
He had often seen the woodmen cut
ting down trees in the forests. He
thought he would play woodman SO
he threw off his coat and began to
chop at the cherry tree in his fathers
orchard. There were so many in the
orchard that he thought he wouldn't
care. So he chopped away at the tree
a long time he chopped first on one
side and then on the other till the lit
tie tree began to crack. This was
great fun. One more chop and down
went the tree it's branches crashing on
the tree next to 1t. 1t did not make
as much noise as the trees in the for
est but he played it did.
At last his father came in the ORCH
ard He could hardly believe his eyes
that his cherry tree was cut down.
Who could have done it all? He hur-
ried to the house. He was very angry;
he called his servants to him and asked
them if they knew who cut down his
tree but no body knew. Then he shouted
to George to come to him. He asked
him if he knew who had cut down his
cherry tree. George saw his father
was angry. At first he was so afraid he
did not dare to tell. He thought he
would say he did not know. Then he
thought what a coward he would be to
tell lie, so he said father it was II
'ather was so surprised he could not
speak. He stood staring at him. So
you cut down my cherry tree? He
said at last. Eyes it was l." George
Then the tears came into
he fathers eyes. He knew how hard
t had been for George to tell the
ruth He did not scold his little boy.
lie took him up in his arms and said, !
My good honest boy. I am so glad I;
ou would not tell lie. I would |
ather lose all the trees in the orchard
han have my boy untruthful. Little
,eorge never forgot the cherry tree or
be words his father said to him.
George was daring young child.
ill close for this time.
Aletha Black, age 10.
Floris, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16

mothers milk, as could not eat grass.
In the daytime I ran at her. side and
at night lay down close to her side.
When 1t was hot we used to stand
by the pond in the shade OF the trees,
and when it was cold we had nice
warm shed near the grove
AS soon as I was old enough to eat
grass, my mother used to go out to
work in the day time and come back
in the evening
There were SIN youLs colts i'll tho
me adow besides me. They were older
thuL I was, but i was treated vety
k ndly and we ran about the field and
gailoped and had great 4un.
} always try to treat. my friends
vc:y kindly. I al"ays treated my mas
Ter very kindly an,l hope everybody
will always treat me the same way.
Etl1a Parsons,
r. F. d. No. 1, Dcuds-Leando.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
cOAsTlNG DOWN THE HEEL.

Dear Editor:
AS have never written before l Will
write about coasting down the hill.
Five Of my school mates came over
one afternoon. Their names were
Beatrice nd"Louise Ruckey, Olive and
Ida and Adrain Holt.
Olive brought her sled and we took
her sled and my sled and went out
coasting. We had a nice time
Then after we had coasted a while
the girls said that they would have to
go home so we went in and warmed
and then I took the girls part way
home I took them as far as Mr.. SCOTS
house, and then my little brother Otto
and came back. L.,
We took our sled and went down on
the creek and Louise and I hauled
Adrain on our sled and Beatrice and
Olive hauled Ida on their sled part way
and then we hauled each other on the
sleds.
Edith Burrell, age II,
Lucas, Ia, r. No. I.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
A HORSE.

/ am horse Of a bright chestnut
sorrel color, with flowing name and
TAIL
I have a fine form and carry my
head high.
I live on large farm in Iowa.
My name is Prince.
When I was two years old was
given as present to young maiden
whose name was Beulah
She broke me to ride and drive.
became so tame that she was very
fond of me. ty
l was owned by Beulah for several
years until one summer she married
and was taken to different farm.
Beulah's husband was not $50 kind
to me as she was and was worked
hard every day. This I was not used
to and it was very tiresome.
One day l was driven to the city
and sold without Beulah's consent.
The man who bought me was very
cruel to me and I. was made go every
day without much food or water.
One sultry day in August was pull.
ing heavy load. l gave out and feu
in the harness.
My master did not think would
live and was>going to leave me when
veterinary came up to me and asked
my master how much he would take
for me. . ,.s
My master said he would give me
to the veterinary, so l was taken to
his barn and finally recovered. So
One day as was being driven
through the streets, Beulah happened
to see me- She bought me from ina
veterinary and I was never parted
from her again. I'll
Lena l. Prevo, age H. .
Pulaski, Iowa L,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
THE BIRDS.

Dear Editor and Juniors:
I will write again. will write this
time. about the birds.
We have sparrows, pigeons and
snow birds about our home. One very
cold morning just lately while we
were eating our breakfast, little
snow bird came and sat in the lilac
bush near the window. He looked in
at us and chartered to us as much
as to say, MAY come in and warm
my toes and get some crumbs? Please
give me something to eat. am so
cold and hungry" took some crumbs
out into the garden and scattered
them on the snow. l would like to knit
warm stockings for every little bird
in the north. How l do pity them this
cold weather. s..--.....
will close for this time
~. Meryle Wright, aged II.
Russell, Iowa, r. F. D. No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16


now. We have had great deal OF snow
and 1t is; nice shedding. have peen
going to school in the bob sled. ! nave
been sick this week and have not peen
going to school. We have new scnoos
house built this winter. Inc name ~
our school is Maple Grove. Our teach
er's name is Hazel johnson. We hao
nice Christmas program and q tree. !
received several nice presents. we nave
thirty scholars at our school,. we gave
a Mother Goose dialogue. All OF the
pupils were in it. The teacher gave us
CANDY and peanuts. My studies are
fourth reader, arithmetic, language,
geography. and spelling. I have ono
sister and five brothers. Their names
are William, Glen, Irwin. Mary, Maur1e
and Leon. live on mile and quarter
from school. live three miles 1ro"
Moravia.
Zoe Burns, age 10,
Unionville, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
FARLEY HAS TWO SISTERS.

AS have never written to the Cour-
Ter Junior I thought I would write
letter.
Papa and I went after a load OF al
falfa. We had to go about fifteen miles
after it. My brother and l unloadeo
the load of alfalfa. My brother is nine
wears old. His name is Earn Yoder. |
have two sisters Their names are Ell
len and Violet. My biggest sister Is
sixteen years old and my little sister
is years old.
We have six horses and one COW. The
horses names are Fan, John. Midget,
Prince and Nellie. The cows name IS
Daisy. "
My brother and 1 went after load OF
feed. 1t is six miles to Newell.
Farley w. Yoder, age IL,
Horse Creek, S. D.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
any TRIP TO THE STATE FAIR"

Dear Editor: This is my first letter
to the Courier Junior. My father takes
the Courier, and I like to read the
Junior page very much.
. am going to write. and tell about
the time l went to Des Moines.
Papa, my sisters, Mollie, Ida and
went to the state fair last summer.
We started on the Iowa Central from
Nugent.
Two neighbor ladies', Clara and
Leotta Street boarded the train with
us. We started about 2:30 p. m. My
father had gone the day before, so we
girls went alone.
At Martinsburg We were joined by
Lucy Jones. We changed cars at
Grinnell. We then boarded the Mil
waukee When the train stopped at
the depot at Des Moines we saw my
father waiting for us.
We then went to our boarding place
which was straight across from the
capitol.
BY the time we arrived at our board
ing place it was about 6 p. m. Then
we ate a lunch We had brought with
us,
After supper we thought We would
go to "Ingersol Park" So We boarded
street car. We rode long distance
and found out that we were on the
wrong street car, and that it was TAX
ing US to the fair grounds. We then
decided we wouldn't go to the park
that night.
The next morning before we went
to the fair grounds We thought we
would go through the capitol.
We went nearly two-thirds Of the
way to the top, but it was so crowded
we thought we would not 60 the rest
Of the way. We then went to the fail
grounds and stayed there all day. We
went to Ingersol park at night.
The next day we went to the fail
grounds, and while I was there I took
a ride on the "merry-go-round."
We started home in the evening
The train was late but it finally came
We changed cars at Grinnell. We had
to wait at Grinnell until about O'Clock
in the morning When we arrived al
Oskaloosa we changed cars again, but
we did not have to wait there, for an
other train was waiting for US. Mar
tinsburg was our last stop. Then
papa 'phoned for one of my brothers
to come after us. We girls went tc
our grandpa's. Although we enjoyed
our trip very much we arrived home
as tired asset Of girls as you ever saw
Well must close, as there are Other
Juniors who will want the space.
A Junior Friend,
Hazel Mae Chacey, age 10,
Nugent, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16

cipher. When he was IA he went to
the navy and then back to school to
study authentic and land surveying
When the American colonies declared
their independence of Great Britain
they chose Washington as leader OF
the American army.
Washington was later elected first
president of the United States. He
served two terms and refused third.
He was married to Martha GUSTS "a
widow with two small children on
January 6. 1889. After many happy
and eventful years of married life he
died on December IA, 1899, being 81
years old. Martha Washington died
three years later, May %, >1S02, and
was buried beside her husband.
Dorothy Phillips,
Cincinnati, Ia.,. r. F.. D. No. /.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
Old Ferguson
And Little
Edith

''Neighbors moving into the house
next door, SIR" It was "Old Fergu-
sons man servant who spoke to his
master as he was serving him with
coffee In his room at breakfast time.
"Neighbors?" and "Old Ferguson
grunted and made face. "You mean
folks-people-moving into the house
next door. You seem to forget, john
son, that have no neighbors-and
never had any. I don't want people
because they happen to live in proxi-
NIFTY TO me, to call themselves my
neixhbors. Neighbors are fit only to
make fuss and always to be borrow
ing. I don't want any such bothers."
And the old gentleman, with sour
face, began to sip his coffee. In the
town where he lived he was called by
most people "Old Ferguson" because of
his grabbed, unfriendly disposition.
His name was John Andrew Ferguson
and his business was real estate, and
he was rated as the richest man in the
county. although his wealth was not
known through his charities, for he
never gave a dollar to any suffering
from poverty.
Johnson, the man servant, left Mr..
Ferguson to his strong coffee and un-
pleasant thoughts and went below
stairs to finish his work, for he served
his master In the capacity Of cook,
furnace man, valet, gardener and gen.
eral utility man, for "Old Ferguson"
would not have a woman housekeeper
about, and refused to employ another
servant, insisting that one man was
quite sufficient to do all the work in
the house and grounds.
pretty little girl!" SO whispered
Johnson half an hour later as he stood
on the kitchen porch, broom in hand,
ready to sweep down the steps. He
was looking at the persons moving into
the house next door, and had let his
eyes rest on a golden-haired little girl
who was busily unwrapping some
wooden chairs on the back porch. AL.
though it was chilly morning in very
early spring, the little girl was bare
headed, and this gave Johnson, good
hearted man, some anxiety. He feared
the child might take cold and be i'll
from the exposure. Believe I'll just
call over to her and tell her she'd best
put on a jacket and hood he solilo
quized.
"Ah, I say, little girl" he called
won't you take bad cold, bare
headed in the wind? Wouldn't you
better put on a jacket or shawl?'
ooh, I'm .,sed to being bareheaded
IN the wind" replied the little CARL
You see, we girls have fresh-air club
and it is part Of our plan to go bare
headed all thxs we can. We only wear
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16

Dear Editor:
will write a few lines about our
cat. We call him Bunch. He is large
spotted cat. I play with him as he is
so tame. He is a great mouser. When
papa goes to feed his hogs Bunch will
follow just like a dog after him. Last
fall when we were feeding pumpkins to
our hogs and cows Bunch was sure to
be around to get some Of the insides Of
the pumpkins to eat. Bunch is 6 years
old and one day papa and were at
Sam Locke's and Mrs. Locke asked me
If I didn't want nice kitten. told
her yes and she gave me this kitten.
She had already named the kitten
Bunch as he was then short and
bunchy and always called him the
same name.
John Harold Morrow, age 10,
Selma, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
LETHA'S PAPA TAKES THE COUR.
TER, tr-@

Dear Editor and Juniors: 1850
thought would write to the cour-
Ter Junior. #fT. S&
l am little girl years old. =
I live on a farm near Batavia. n E
1 go to school. My teachers name is
Aletha Gilly like her very much. She
is staying with us. We live IL miles
from school.
My schoolmates are Waldo Kramer,
Carol Fanchel, Hila Davis, and Helen
Davis. Fl
l read in the second reader
l have a little brother three years
old. His name is Kenneth.
My papa takes the Daily Courier.
Z" Letha OrndufI, age s,
Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
JOHN HARVEY's DOG.

Dear Editor: This Is my first let
ter to the Courier Junior and hope it
will be appreciated by the Juniors. I
will tell you about my dog. He Is a
Scotch collie. He was sent to me by
my cousin that lives in Davenport, la.
He takes the Courier to papa or
mamma when he is told to do so. He
will sit up in a chair and barks when
we tell him to speak. I am in the fifth
grade and go to the Franklin school.
fear my letter is getting long so will
close for this time.
Yours truly,
John Harvey, Jr., age 8.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
THE BROWNS.

Once there was some folks. Their
names were Brown. They had little
girl. She was eight years old. Her
name was Jennie Brown. She was a
nice girl. She was always wanting to
keep house. Just before Jennie's birth
day her mother said: Jennie, your
grandmother wants you to come and
stay q few days with her." Jennie said
"All right" Mrs. Brown said come and
help pack the suit case" That same
night Jennie's grandfather came after
her. Jennie was all ready when he got
to the house.
While Jennie was gone to her
grandmother's Mr.. Brown said to his
wife, hadn't we better build a little.
play house for Jennie and get furniture
for the little house?"
Mr.. Brown went to town and got =
big stove and kettles, table and chairs
and all sorts Of things for her to play
with. When they got the play house ar
ranged, Mrs. Brown said well we will
bake some pies and cakes, then go to
town and Sget some candy and nuts.
Then we can invite ten children and
tell them to be here at 10 o'clock on
the sixth Of January" @
Then Mr.. Brown said, IT will go after
Jennie. She was awful glad to get home
for that was the first time she had ever
been away from home. She came home
on her birthday. It was half past ten
when they got home. When she went
into the house her mother said take
off your coat and hood and go into the
sitting ROOM" i
There were ten children all seated in
a row. She was surprised to see so
many children. Each one OF the chill
dren gave Jennie a present. Then they
played games for while and then
went in to eat their dinner. They had
dinner at 1 o'clock. After they had
eaten theid dinner they played games
a while again. They played hide and
seek, blackman drop the handkerchief
and lots of other games. At o'clock
they all went home saying they had
had nice time.
Gladys Miller, age 13, .s
Agency, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16

Once there was little girl by the
name Of Anna. She was Is years old.
Her parents were rich people and lived
in a fine house.
One time her parents went to visit
in New York City,. While they were
gone they left Anna to stay and keep
house.
Every morning when she got up she
would do the work and then go to
school.
Her parents were gone two weeks.
When they came she had all the work
done, the house all cleaned up, and they
brought company home with them.
Her mother was very much pleased
with the way she had done the work,
and her parents gave a pony. cart,
harness and saddle.
I go to school at Happy Hollow. My
teachers name is Miss Mary Smith.
Alta Gladys Pickerell,
s-t Ottumwa, "a, r. No. 4.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
ORAL WON PRIZE At SCHOOL.

Dear Editor: .,,r ~
AS have not written for some time
I thought I would write and thank you
for the cards you sent me. My school
was out the 18th day Of February. and
one Of my schoolmates won the prizes
for getting the most 100 marks in SPELL
ing. t.."
The pupils that were in my class
were Gladys Hesseltine, Mildred Drap-
er. Mabel Harrow and Phineas Howk.
Our spring school begins some time in
April. We took the fifth grade.
My papa takes the Daily Courier. I
am Daily Junior. -.
Oral Arnold, age 10,
Blakesburg, a., r. No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
sEULAHs LIKES POST CARDS.

Dear Juniors: .,
am very fond Of post cards.
will write you Of our big cat. He
is as large as a wild cat and about the
same color. He is rather poor now but
weighs II pounds and measures 30
inches from his nose to the end Of his
tail and stands up pretty high. He
make foot prints as large as g. small
fox and steps very near as far. He is
great hunter. He hunts rats and mice
and rabbits.
think that he is a fine cat and an
extra good cat. "a
Beulah Van Dyke, age 9,
Richalnd, a., r. No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16

weak he lay down on the floor and
while he lay there he fell asleep.
He was awakened by roaring lion.
Andraclus thought the lion was angry,
but it was of pain. Andraclus was very
frightened. The lion had a large thorn
in it's foot.
Andraclus picked up the lions paw
and with one quick jerk pulled the
thorn out of the lions foot. '.
While Andraclus was in the cave
some soldiers came along and look
him back to his master in Rome.
When the slaves ran away from
their masters they would shut lion
up for two or three days without food.
Then the slave would have to fight
with the lion.
When the day for the fight was set
there was large crowd OF men, Wom'
en- and children there to see the fight
Andraclus looked about him, but he
could see no one whom he thought
felt sorry for him. '-
The roar of the lion could already
be heard.
But when Andraclus saw the lion
he gave a loud cry, not of fear, but OF
10y, for it was the same lion he had
picked the thorn out Of his foot. the
lion went straight to Andracl us and
lay down at his feet.
After while the people asked
Andraclus what it meant. -,
Then he told them the story. Some
of the people shouted Let the lion
free" while others shouted Let
free and give him the lion"
Andraclus was set free and the lion
was given to him.
Edith Hollenbeck, aged IA.
Eldon, Iowa, r. F. D. No. 2.
P. ST. would like to exchange post
cards with the juniors.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
Made Over ''Bo-Peep."

Little Bo-Peep sat fast asleep
Beneath a big tree near the sty;
A pig, round and fat,
Saw her as she sat,
And said with a grunt: "Oh-ho-my!
And little Bo-Peep stayed fast asleep
Till bee buzzing round stung her ear,
Then up she did spring
And cried: What sting!
I would best get away from here"
So home she did 60 (and not very
SLOWLY
And showed to dear mother her ear;
And dear mother said,
AS she wrapped up her head,
"A naughty bee stung you, my dear"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
FEEDING THE BIRDS.

Dear Juniors:
This is the first time have written
to the Junior so I thought I would
write.
We have taken the Courier for one
year and half. like to read the Jun
Tor page.
like to feed the birds. There are
many birds around my home. I feed
them every day. I set by tn window
and watch them eat. would like to
see this printed in the Junior page.
Ruth Hart, age r.,
IaddSdale Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

i. Use one side of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or a sharp lead pencil. e..
3 Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
4. Number wour pages.
Do not copy stories or poetry and
send ms as your own work.
6. Always state choice OF a prize
on a separate piece of paper, with
name and address in full. ..
z. Address the envelope to Editor
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
ADDIE LIKES TO READ JUNIOR.

Dear Editor: I am little girl
eleven years old. My papa takes the
Daily Courier and I thought I would
write a little letter, because I like to
read the Junior page. I have got two
brothers and two sisters. Their
names are Sherman and Eugene,
Blanche and Dortha. Well as my let
ter is getting long, will close for this
time. Hoping to see my letter in
print
From a lonely little girl.
Addie Barwick, age II,
Ottumwa, Iowa, r. r. N. 1, Box 1903.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
THE COURIER JUNIOR
Published by .
the COURIER PRINTING co"
OTTUMWA IOWA
MATILDA OEveREAux,
EDlTOh.
ANOTHER FIRST LETTER PAGE.

Dear Juniors: Next week we Will
devote this page to the First Letter
Juniors" We are very happy these
days, and the cause is the very large
number of letters and stories we are
receiving, not only from the new Jun
iors but also from the old ones. The
week after next we will publish the
March birthday. stories, also the
names of the winners of the prizes,
both in the birthday contest and in
tho letter contest.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
LOLA A NEW JUNIOR.
Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:
am a new Junior and have never
written before I am in the tourth
reader. My teacher will be Florence
Champlin. We are having Vacasio1
now. MY teacher before was Cleii
Fulton. He was a fine teacher. We all
liked him fine. got along fine when
went to him. o.,
. I would like to exchange postals with
any Of the Juniors.
Lola Blanche Young, age 8,
Charlton, Ia, r. No. Z.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16
A HORST

I am a very gentle horse and my
coat is a very dark brown one.
I was raised on a nice farm where
my mother was kept and my master
was very kind man.
My master named me Topsy, which
/ thought was very nice name.
When was young ] lived on my