davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
GETTING OUT HE FAcTs.

Each day brings out some new con- dition concerning the state of affairs on the steamer Titanic, before the in- vestigation committee representing the government. The situation out there on the Atlanic. with no help in sight, was enough to give peculiar opinions after those who went through the un- usual and exciting experiences were able to collect their thoughts Many impressions were gained upon the same incident and many conclusions have undoubtedly been drawn without true knowledge of affairs, with the result that there is a great difference in the testimony of witnesses. This is ex- plainablc by the size of the ship and it would be impossible to see all sec tions at once. The chances are that most everyone looked alike that fate ful night and some allowance must be made for identification. If as Ismay said there was no one else to take aboard when his boat left, in which a fellow passenger corroborates him, he had right to the seat The conduct of officers and employees even on most trivial occasions is always the cause for complaint
 The lack of binoculars for the look out showed negligence which the company operating such a well equip ped ship has no excuse for It was the little expense which the company would have been put to in providing such glasses, sufficient lifeboats, a re- duction in speed, or deviation from the course to avoid the ice which makes the Titanic's loss so unconsoIa- ble. It leaves the feeling that every precaution was not taken.
 The investigation committee will en- counter tangle when it attempts to sift the evidence with the conflicting testimony, but it will provide suffi- cient material 10 frame a revision of the maritime regulations, so that wire less operators will be on duty at all times lifeboat provisions will be made for all passengers, steamers equipped with wireless shall have 1t in opera % ton constantly, steamship routes shall avoid ice fields, or in going through them steamers shall proceed at re- duced speed.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO THE WIDE
 AWAKE CIRCLE.

Perhaps the Wide Awakes do not know that the mind and imagination work well together, and 1t is this which produces beautiful works of art and classic literature and all the inventions which have marked the progress of civilization. A very ancient writer had a mind which pictured the imagination as the workshop in which the mind worked to produce all the wonderful
 nan-made things about us-the houses we live in, the clothes which become us and the things we enjoy It was the minds of the ancients which seeing the ants and other borrowing little crea- lures worked out or their imaginations the little old men who are supposed to be the keepers Of the mines and to dwell underground and called them gnomes; and if they had not observed the bee and his work and taken 1t into the minds workshop there would have been no brownies; and It was the light and airy butterflies which prompted the intellect of men to fashion the pretty fairies with butterflies wings. about which so many interesting children's books have been written. Of course,
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
A LILY OF THE VALLEY

By the side of & beautiful lake there grew lily of the valley plant. Though every year the leaves came up bright and green there were no flowers, and the plant felt sad. She worked hard every year in the hope that she might have a string of beautiful white bell shaped flowers waving above her, but every year as the young buds came up they withered and died.
 One day as the plant was spreading her leaves in the sunshine she heard a batter of tiny feet and saw & wee elf come limping through the woods with a broken wing and an injured foot. The elf was limping along as fast as he could, and no wonder! Be- hind him hopped a great ugly toad. The lily plant was grieved when she saw the elf hard pressed and she called out: "Oh. come, and I'll hide you, you poor little thing" The elf heard the hly's voice and ran and climbed in among the leaves of the plant, which immediately wrapped them around him so that he was con- cealed from view. Up came the toad, hoppety -clump, looking much amazed and wondering where the elf had gone He searched the woods for yards around, but was not able to find his victim, and at last he gave it up and hoped away.
 Then the lily plant opened her leaves and the elf lay there in the sunshine till his wing was healed and his foot was hurt no longer. At last when he was well enough to go home, he bade farwell to his kind friend and protec- tor and asked the lily plant if there was anything he could do. Then the lily plant told him that every year 10 her sorrow, her blossoms were bhghted, and the elf said: "Oh, that'i easily arranged. I'll give you not only blossoms but magic blossoms.'
 With that he skipped three time; around tho lily plant singing magic words, When the song was finished ht sperad his wings, said goodbye ant flew away.
 You tsn imagine how eagerly the lily plant tended her buds the next sea. son and how joyful she was as tht stalk grew tall and straight and thu little white bells began to develop. A last they were ready. and the lily plan could hardly sleep, she was so eager tt see how they would look in the sun light. When the next day came ana the first ray of the sun touched then there can'c sound like the r!ngin: of silver bells, for each blossom wa provided with a magic clapper tha swayed to and fro and made music With evening came a still nor wonderful thing. At nioonrise six tin. fairy children ran out from tho dark 1 ness of the woods. Each one seized ! lily hell and but it on her head for hat Then all joined hands and dane ed in a circle around the lily plant | laughing md Shlslng, Hith voices fix the tones of lily bells. Soon they wer joined hy 8 company of elves who ral
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
Speedy and Steady.

Once upon 8 time there were two little girls named Speedy and Steady One day they thought they would Ike to sew. They took some cloth and started hemming a napkin each.
 Speedys real name was LiZzy. Steady's was Amy. Both started at the same time and Amy was still hem ming the first side of her napkin when Lizzy was on the fourth side of hers.
 Lizzy laughed at Amy because she was so slow But Amy did not care; she still kept sewing away.
 Lizzy said that she Was sure she would have her napkin finished by dinner time, so she threw her work carelessly on a chair and ran to the garden to see if the roses were in bloom.
 When Lizzy returned Amy was hem ming the second side of her napkin. Although Amy longed for the fresh air, she knew that if she kept at her work she would be finished all the quicker Lizzy said that she would have time to hang the new picture on the wall in her room, so off she ran. When LizEy returned this time Amy was hemming the third side of her nap kin.
 Amy said to Lizzy: Why don't you finish your napkin before the dinner bell rfngs?"
 B1t Lizzy did not listen to what Amy l said She wanted 10 read a story She said she could finish her napkin in two minutes. Just then the dinner bel rang and Amy had finished her napkin but Lizzy had not finished hers. JESSIE BREHANT. Age IS.
 Wtlllmantto.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
A Good Custoner.


 Bruce was a Scottish dog that lived in Edinburgh, His master kept a gro cery store.
 A man used to pass almost every day with meat pies to sell He carried a bell and rang it now and then, to let people know he was coming
 He only asked a penny apiece for ms pies, but they were small and an Eng fish penny is worth about two of our cents.
 One day Bruce was sitting at the door of the store when the pieman came along. He saw the dogs wistful look and gave him a pie
 Bruce wagged his tail for Thank you!" and put the pie into his dinner basket in a hurry. Ting a-ling, Tinga-lng, went the bell the next day. Bruce bounded out of the store, caught the pieman's coat in his teeth and would not let go. He did not tear the coat, but showed very plainly that he meant to keep the man there till he had a pie. The dog g master stood in the doorway. The pieman took a penny out of his pocket, showed 1t to the dog and point ed it to his master. Bruce understood He bounded to his masters side, put his forepaws on him, wagged his tail and looked up Tn his face with eagel eyes. The penny was given and Bruce took it in his mouth to the man and bought his pie. HAROLD VARS. Age F. | Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25

out from among the trees. and they danced and sang and feasted on honey till the sinking moon showed that day was near Then the party broke up The fairy children hung their flower hats on the lily stalk and they all said. Good morning. and went home to bed.
 Seven nights the fairies and elves danced in the moonlight, and no harm came, but on the eighth night who should come hopping but the great toad that had chased the elf long before. He came up SD softly that the fairies did not hear him, and when he saw how many of them there were he smiled to himself and hOpped softly away with the night Soon he came to a. dark tunnel in the ground, down i which he made his way. It led by winding routes to a great cave in the earth, where the king of all the toads held his court. The cave was nearly | full of toads-old toads and young 1 toads, large toads and small toads- | but all of them wrinkled and cross l looking
 Into the midst of this assembly the l toad pushed his way and from the steps of the throne he told of what he 1 had seen. When the toads heard what a beautiful dance the elves and fairy | children were having they croaked all together as with one voice: Quick, let us go catch them!"
 The toads had always wished to catch fairies and elves to keep in theii l dark underground cave. for they were slow and lazy and wanted some one | to wait on them. So far they had not been able to catch q single fairy or elf and they had been obliged to wait or themselves, which had made then cross. So when they heard that Q whole company of elves and fairy chill dren were alone and unprotected they at once sallied forth to the capture Quietly they moved through the darE forest ond formed great circle around the dancers, who kept on with theil merrymaking, for they did not know that the tGads were there.
 The fairies had just decided to have a game of tag and had hung all th' lilybells back on the stalk, when, witt harsh crcaks, the tOads made a rusl a them from all directions. The fairie: were ir terror. In whichever direction they tried to run a great toad barred their path.
 They might all have been caugh and taken down to the dark cave wher, the toads lived if 1t had not been fo
 the lily plant. which trembled so WheI she saw their danger that she set al the lily bells ringing When the bird
 for the forest heard the bells ring thel thought it must be sunrise and time t get up, and when they found it wa
 still dark they hocked around the lil,
 plart to see what was the matter
 They soon found out, and in two min
 utes the teads were .scrsmbling hom
 as fast as they eould hop, So the fai
 ries and elves were savei, and daneet happily ever atterwar6
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
ALL EYES ON MASSACHUSETTS.

There now remain less than 20 states wherein delegates to the nation al republican convention have not been chosen and several of those will have made their choice by the end of the week. President Taft has shown his strength in New England and the ac- tion of New Hampshire in going two Co one for him is another instance of the inability of the demagogic pro Kressives to pull the wool over the eyes of the people. Governor Bass was one of the seven little governors who encouraged the Colonel to throw his hat into the ring, but his personal popularity failed to carry his follow Ing to Roosevelt Rhode Island came Into line as was expected, solidly for Taft, these two states throwing IS delegates to the president Massachu Eetts is recognized as the important state just now and it will have the campaigning that no other state has received. It is in the manufacturing centers that Roosevelt will make his fight, but the state will be well cov- cred by advocates of both candidates DO the Bay state voters should be in better position to act than those in other states where primaries have been held. Congressman Gardner has in Iected much life into the Taft forces. Big Taft rallies indicate the feeling there is for the administration and the contempt for the misrepresentations by the ex-president in his hunt for the third term. backed by trust represen- tatives. Massachusetts will have the eyes of the nation for the next week, The importance of it is shown by the attention given by both sides. Presi- dent Taft in his visit there will have a vital bearing on the situation, though Roosevelt will have the last word.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
An Old Man and His Sons.

Once upon a time there was an old man who had three sons
 The two older seemed to be respect able young men; but the youngest was an idiot (so his brothers said).
 When the youngest was about etgh- teen years old his father became ill and, thinking he was 10 die, made his will.
 'STo my oldest son. he said, q give five oxen and One-half my property Father" he said, With tears in his eyes, T pray God you may live long tc enjoy and use it."
 ''To my next oldest l give the other half of my property and care over his younger brother
 Father" he said, in husky voice that people use on such occasions, "l hope you may live lGng to enjoy and use it."
 Then the father. turning to his youngest son, said: Son, I will give thee some money to buy thee halter Father" he said, with much sol emnity, may you live long to enjoy and use it."
 HILDA DRISCOLL Age F.
 Montville, Ct.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
The Wide Awake Circle.

The Wide Awake Circle are children 50 dear, Some live in Norwich, with Uncle Jed near, While others are winning his prize books the same, If they do live away up in cold, frozen Maine We try to write good, and we try to spell well, But who are the winners, it's quite hard to tell; But dear Uncle Jed tries to treat us alike, And whatever he says must always be right. think we Wide Awskes ought to be glad, To think there are such lovely books to be had. And thank Uncle Jed for the trouble he takes In planning so much for the Wide AwaRes' sakes.
 MYRTLE SWAIN.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
POETRY.
Fishing Time.

Brighten up the reel and rod, Straishten out your line, Don't you know the law is off And this is fishing time? Take the spade, we'll dig some bait. l ilnow where the beauties swish We sat and froze for half day, But not a sign of fish. Never mind, warm days will come, When there will be no school; Then We can look for a lot of them From some shady pool So l will try now to be patient. For l know the time will come When my chum will say in earnest
 Well, now, I call that catching
 Eone" HARoLD P: ONTERHAUT, Age F. Mansfield Depot.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
Our arm.

Dear Uncle Jed: l thought ] would write and tell you about our farm We have twenty acres of land, two cows and one horse. which are very gentle.
 I like to be outdoors. My brotheR and I think it is fun to help papa -. the garden
 Next summer I expect to have a. garden myself I am eleven years old and go to school every day. have not missed a day since school began last September. | have received two certificates for perfect attendance fer two years. We have twenty three pupils and ] like my teacher very much. I have two pets, d dog and cat. My dogs name is Shep and my cat name is Dick. Your niece,
 MARTHA JOHNSON, Age II. ] Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
VICE ACTIVITIES.

There seems to be a crusade against vice spreading over the state, and it is being followed up as never before by the authorities Hartford, 8 few months ago, had an awakening which resulted in the resorts being cleaned up The police claim to be in com mand of the situation and maintain that by their activities there Is no danger of the east side resorts resum ing business. Since Mayor Smith or dered the places closed last Deoem- Der a plain clothes squadron has been maintained and any rumor or appear ance of the business being revived Is promptly investigated and halt call ed. Hartford seems determined in the matter.
 Other cities about the state have at different times tried such meas ures. but it has never proved so suc- cessful as Hartford's report seems to indicate. Conditions in other cities may be as bad as those were in Hart ford, but there they were brought to light in a manner which required pos itive action. and it offers the example for every other city.
 New London has been cleaning up it's resorts gradually, there certainly being less brazen activity there and the latest move has been made here by the state police. What the effect will be remains with the people to say. They have it in their power to do as Hartford has done or to wink at such vice and continue the periodical raid for revenue plan. in both New Lon | don and Norwich a number of cases have reached the superior criminal court because of such resorts and the state attorney is understood to be the moving spirit in the clean up.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
Our Summer Home.

My Dear Uncle Jed Our family goes to Cape Cod every summer. lt is a quaint. old place. The Pilgrimf landed at Provincetowu.
 Where we go is Harwichport. lt has a population of two thousand persons There IS a little harbOr where the boats come in. There is a good camp ing place over by an old mill.
 Last year we had a picnic over at the old mill. and after that we went down on the shore. ] have little row boat with a sail in it. I keep it in the harpOr in summer time.
 The harbor has fishing for baby blUefsh.
 Last year my father myseH anu another boy went fishing for perch at d fTesh-Water pond. We caught thlf- ty-ulue fish. Your little nephew CHAS. HENRY TERRELL, Age 10. Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
Lolita's Dolls.

Dear Uncle Jed. I was sick with diphtheria but [ am better now. [ have not got all my strength back vet
 When l was able 10 sit up I read The Bulletin every day and enjoyed reading the letters the children wrote to you; so I thought would write one.
 l will start going 10 school in two more weeks I will be glad to get back to school.
 I was not able to be up around on Washingtons birthday so l dressed one of my dolls like Martha Wash ington. I put a white wig on her made of cotton and I played with her ali day.
 I have three dolls, the largest one I call Redwing. because she is dressed in red: the other one I call Pocahon- tas; and I have a little boy doll 1 call Hiawatha.
 LOLITA M. GAY. Age 8.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
RoosEvELr IGNORES TARIFF.

It is noticeable fact in the present campaign that Theodore Roosevelt is carefully avoiding the one big issue, namely, the tariff. He has taken pains to see that the people are kept in an enthusiastic frame of mind oyer his past accomplishments and what "rll do," but offers them not the least information as to his stand on the tariff question, one of the real issues of the campaign. Political ex- pediency governs him now as it has of late and no doubt will continue to do for some time. He is appealing to the people as their champion. advocat- ing only radical reform and expressing no opinion as to what they can expect from him on any of the big questions, He is, in doing that, playing into the same course which he took as presi- dent He used the tariff revision ques- ton then as a big stick with which to whip congress into line for his pet scheme, whether it was for a big in crease in the navy or some other measure involving the expenditure of money which might have been put to better use. On the strength of his threat that he would open the whole tariff revision question he was able to keep his political following in line. This was current comment in political circles at the capital and Cannon, who Roosevelt warned Taft to keep friendly with, was the man who brought about the action which Roosevelt wanted.
 Having used it as lever then and keeping silent on it now, only one con- clusion can be reached, and that is that he is not willing to commit him self on this point, even though he has the knowledge that President Taft stands for the scientific revision through the tariff board. Roosevelt is making his fight through grandstanc plays of the little matters and lets the big ones pass unheeded.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
THE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS

1-CharIes Henry TirreIl of Norwich Northern Lights" stories trans lated from Swedish and Finnish sources.
 z-Loretta Gregory of Taftville-"A Ami nal Stories for Little People" S-LoIita M. Gay of Norwich-"Adven- lures of a Brownie" by Miss Mu- loch.
 4-Jessie Brehant of Willimantic-"A Young Mutineer," by L. T. Meade 5-HIda DriseoIl of Montville-'Ths Lame Prince" by Miss Mulocn. 6-Alfreda Timayensis of Norwich The Adventures of Robinson Cru soe," by Daniel DeEore. 7-HaroId P. onterhaut of Mansfield Depot-'Life of Crockett" by Ed ward s. Ellis. s-NeIlie colburn of South Canterbury Aunt Martha's Corner Cupboard
 by Miss Muloch.
 Winners of books, living in Norwich may call at The Bulletin business of flee at any hour after 10 a. m. Thurs day for them.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
My Home and School Lie.

Dear Uncle Jed I enjoy reading the letters of the Wide Awake Circle very much. and thought I would like 10 join the circle, and tell of my home and school life.
 I was ten years old the day before Christmas
 l have two brothers and one sister. who was four years old the first day of February, and she is lots of com pany.
 I have q sled and some skates,
 After school l run erTands or go 10 meet my father.
 In the summer | go to get milk every night for a neiglbor.
 We have a big yard. and in the summer my sister Alisson and l play croquet
 I am in the fifth grade in school. ] go to the Ransom building. My teachers name is Miss McDer- mott. who has taught school for over thirty years. and she is a pretty good one.
 There are thirty three pupils in my room. My studies are dictation, arithmetic, | history, reading writing, music, draw 1 ing grammar geography and civics. Yours truly, JESSE FRANKLIN BAILEY.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
A Happy Eveninu,

After the children were home from school Harriet said:
 Let's pop corn and make candy this evening"
 Harry joined in and said
 "Oh, yes, we'll have a real nice time. Papa and Mamma are going to MT. and Mrs. Holbrook's house"
 After all the work was done and the children's parents were gone they be- gan to get the things they needed.
 They made very hot fire. The dog and cat came into the room to keen them from getting lonesome. They had a very jolly time that evening at home alone. They talked and laughed and gave conundrums for each other to guess.
 When their parents came home they
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-25
Moosul
Has a Good Time eoina to School

Dear Uncle Jed: ] thought 1 would write and tell you about my home in Scotland.
 We have two horses two cows, four cats, about thirty hens, and 8 pet bird dog named Rover.
 When I come home from school Rover comes out to meet me.
 We had his mother but she now lives in Groton.
 Rover was eight years old the 4th of December
 My father drives the school team and there are fourteen of us. We havA about three miles to ride. We soma- times take a sled.
 hope all the boys and girls Of our Circle have as good time as we do going back and forth to school
 Your friend
 ELEANOR SPENCER, Age II. Scotland