davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

had looked every where eggs could
be. At last we thought Of corn shocks
down behind the barn and we all ran
down there and turned two or three
over until we upset it and there IN
under the straw we found the eggs.
There were five dozen in the nest. Some
were small and some were large.
Some were goose eggs and some were
hen eggs. AS there were six Of us there
were ten apiece. There were ten goose
eggs and the rest were hen eggs, SO
we divided them evenly among US and
began to think about how we were 60
ing to get them cooked.
A Daily Junior,
Grace Johnson, age 10.
Powell, Wyo., Box 1877.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
WARD AND HIS FARM HOME.

Dear Editor: -
This is my first letter to the Coudier
Junior, so will tell you where live, 1t
is on a farm four and a half miles
from Washington, Iowa. We have
hogs, cattle and horses. We have lots
Of horses. Papa calls them trotters.
We have a gray match team. They
can go fast. have dog and his name
is Gyp. He can catch rats. mice and
rabbits. ~ 49,
have q boys farming wagon and
Harold and play with It. Harold is my
little brother. He was four years old
the 22d of February. We have little
sister Jean and we take her riding IN
tho wagon. She La two years old.
broke my left arm last June and I
broke my right arm last October. 1t
isn't quite well yet.
Ward Johnson. age T.,
Washington, a.. r. No. 9.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

IN exchange for some papers. was 20
ashamed to find that I was going
against the king, for had his coat Of
arms on one of my sides.
l then began my travels again. I
hoped so much that wouldn't fall into
the hands Of any more greedy people.
However, an old woman managed to
get hold Of me, and shut me up in her
old gr1my pocketbook. I continued to
1--we IN such misery when the woman
finally exchanged me for twelve and
one-haH farthings
do not know what will happen to
me IN the future but II ever have any
more exciting adventures will tell you
about them -
Vida VAIL, age II,
1872 s. Willard St., Ottumwa, Iowa,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
AN EASTER EGG HUNT.

One Easter my friend Vivian Addi-
son had an Easter party. She invited
six girls. Their names ives Tressie,
Blanche, Leona, Alma, Agnes and my
self. In the morning We played games
such as hide the thimble, blackman
and Poor Pussy. At noon Vivian's
mamma called us to dinner. We had
candy Easter eggs, boiled eggs and
many other nice things. After Dime:
Vivian's mamma said. II have hidden
colored egg in the parlor and the first
one that finds it will give box of
Easter candy to-" OF course We all
ran to hunt it. We hunted for quite
q while. At last found it. It was sit
ting upon the organ behind picture.
Miss Addison gave me the candy
then she went into the kitchen and
brought out all the candy We could eat.
At five o'clock we went home and told
our parents what nice time We had.
Lucille Leaznby, az 10,
Ridgeway, Mo.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
KlTTIE HAD BEEN TO THE CAT
SHOW.

Dear Editor and Juniors-Thought
I would write again. Our school be-
gan last Monday. went to school
every day but the roads were very
muddy.
Our teachers name is Miss ,Ferne
Walker. like her fine.
received three post cards from
the Courier Junior and thank the
editor very huch for them. The one
l will write about has a picture of a
large black and yellow spotted cat
on it. It has been to the cat show. He
is sitting up looking as If he were
very much pleased. He won the third
prize. I will close.
r Letha Ornduff, age 6.
r. R. !, Batavia, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
THE LITTLE HoUsEKEEPER.

Once there was little girl who had
many playthings. Her name was Lucille.
She was 10 years old. She and her
papa and mamma lived alone, because
that was all Of them in the family.
Lucille had three dolls little stove.
table, six chairs and everything to
keep house. She had a play house to
keep all her things in. One day she had
lots Of company. They all had very
good time. One little girl got hurt but
none of the rest did. They had lunch.
They had cake, pie, cookies, oranges.
candy and nuts. There were twenty
five children. Each left declaring
they had good time. and all they
wanted to eat. ..
Fern Scott, age IL,
Lucas, Ia, r. No. l..
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
A GREY WOGTAIL.

There are about sixty-hve different
kinds Of wogtails, of which about three
kinds abound in North America. They
are very numerous in tho old world
especially Great Britain.
The grey wogtail makes its home
near water. 1t has a peculiar walk,
Jerking it's tail and nodding its head
at every step. It flies in long bold
curves, spreading its tail as 1t comes
to the ground.
It builds in April in the steep banks
of swift streams, making a nest OF
grass and roots lined with white COW
hair.
The eggs are Of a dirty with pale
brown spots, and from five to six IN
There are different kinds Of birds in
the world. Well I will close now.
A Junior friend,
Alberta Lewis, age IL,
BATAVIA. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
ANNA A NEW JUNIOR.

Dear Editor: This is my first letter
to the Courier Junior. am IA years
old. I was born November 26, 1897.
go to school every day. My studies
are history, spelling, grammar. geo
graphy, arithmetic, singing and writ
ing. My teachers name Is John H1ck'
man. My school mates are Anna
Richards, lila Keister, Reva Shields.
have three sisters and four brothers.
I like to read the letters in the Courier
Junior. Well as my letter Is Citing
long I must close. 49,.
Anna Peterson, age IA,
Bear Creek, Iowa, Box 16.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

meal, canned goods, pottery, sorghum
syrup and glucose.
Des Moines is the capital Of Iowa.
Des Moines river is the largest IN
Iowa, There are about eighty-nine OF
the principal cities and towns and
ninety-nine counties. Iowa has sever
al good colleges.
The most important mineral Is SOFT
coal. Some Of the principal trees are
ash, elm, maple hickory, black wal
nut. red cedar.
Some of the animals are coyotes,
wild cat and woodchuck.
Iowa's population is 2,231, 1853. Well
as can not think of any more to
say so I will close. at
Edith fowler.
Blakesburg, Iowa, Route No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

Dear Editor: I expect you have all
heard of hunters and of hunting diff
ferent kind of game; but this story is
a different kind of hunt This is an
egg hunt. There were three bory and
three girls. We hunted high and low
We knew the eggs were hidden some
place but we could not find them. We
looked In straw stacks and rail piles
under boxes and under houses but we
hunted in vain for several days;
we did not give up our search but still
kept hunting; we thought we
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
AN IMAGINARY TRIP TO LONDON.

Today we will start for London, the
largest city in the world. We will first
go to New York, large sea port OF
the United States. We will be a
week on the way.
We landed safely at Liverpool this
evening. And We will now go to
London by railway. This train has
six passenger coaches and two bag
gage cars.
We are now in London ad there Is a
dense fog rising We can hardly. see
our way to the hotel We are at the
Hotel Reba and have some very COM
Portable rooms. We cannot 60 sight
seeing today for it is 80 dark from
the fog.
London is situated on the Thames
river in the southeastern part OF
Great Britain. London bridge is one
of the many bridges which crosses the
river This is large bridge and is
always crowded with people and wag-
ons. The streets are very narrow and
crowded. We are now approaching the
bank Of England, it is large stone
building which covers about eight
acres of land. 1t looks like large
stone pTlsOu. we see d 1udu elduu'
ing at the door. He is dressed in a
lavender and gilt robe. He looks like
some great money king but We find
he is only a guard We are allowed
to 60 through this large bank. We
see the men do not count the money
as we do but they weigh it.
We will now go to the tower Of Lon
don, which is also of great interest.
This was once a prison for the Eng.
fish. 1t Is about thousand years
old. We see the crown Of Victoria,
which contains two thousand seven
hundred and eighty-three diamonds.
They also allow w. to handle the
hatchets which have beheaded many
famous kings.
We now hear the call boys yelling
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
RUTH LIKES TO WRITE TO THE
COURIER JUNIOR.

Dear Editor:-I thought would
write few lines as haven't written
for such long time.
I like to read the Courier Junior
page. 1 have written to the Courier
Junior before. I like to write.
go to Belknap school. like to go.
am in the fourth grade.
For pets have a little bantam and
little dog. His name is Colly and
my bantam Is named Pet. 1t gets on
my shoulders sometimes.
My play mates at school are Pauline
Kneedler and Vida Smock. We are
having vacation now. -.
Ruth Kneedler, Age 10.
Belknap, Iowa, Box 466.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
ToMMY's PAPA RUNS ROYAL CAFE

Dear Editor and Juniors:-I have
written two letters before that have
been printed and will now write an
other.
I am little boy six years old. l
have dark hair and eyes of the same
hue
My papa runs the Royal cafe here
and my two sisters help work in the
cafe.
I go to second ward school, and am
in the first grade. This is my first
year at school. l got promoted from
the kindergarten the first of the year.
go to school every day I can, but
there isn't school this week as this
is normal week for Mahaska county
teachers
Tommy Plaster, age 6.
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

in our ears, Take a cab for across
the bridge. Only a penny" But we
decided to take the underground rail-
and is much the pleasanter to ride in.
We find the tunnels lined with stone
and lit by electric lights. There are
no electric cars in London, but the
underground railways convey the peo'
pie about the city. .~"
We are very sorry to leave London
today for although We have been here
a year We have not been all over the
city yet. We will now go to France
and sail across the English channel
for raris which is also city of in
terest.
Creta Huston, Age 10.
713 Sheridan Ave., Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
THE COURIER JUNIOR
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co.
e.. oTJUMWA. IOWA.
i MATILDA oEvEREAUx.
EDITOR.
srHE GREATEST PEOPLE OF MY
STATE"

Dear Juniors:-Do you all not
think that the above subject will make
a splendid contest? We think II
will. "The greatest people OF my
state" mean, Of course, the greatest
people Of the state in which the Jun
iors live.
This contest will open today and
close Monday, April %. We do not
want the Juniors stories to exceed
800 words.
The prize will be q surprise.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

Dear Juniors:-I will tell about my
trip to Denver, Colo.
One day we took our dinner and
went to the city park. We went around
and looked at all the animals in the
park. Then we went to the children's
play ground and rode on the merry
go-round and played on the teeter
boards until dinner time. "
After dinner We walked around the
lake and watched the ducks and fed
them peanuts After that we rode the
ponies and listened to the band play
till o'clock. Then We got on the
street car and went to the depot.
Our train was waiting and we went
home. We had very nice time.
Hildred Donneu, Age Z.
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
ELSIE GOT PRIZE FOR HEAD
MARKS. ,.

Dear Editorials I have never writ
ten to the Courier Junior page before
I thought would write.
I am little girl 10 years old. l
got to Mt. Pleasant to school, My
school was out the 10th of Marc b.
MY teachers name was Will Show
alter. My studies were reading, arth-
metic, language, geography and spell
ing. Two of my school mates and
myself got the prize for getting the
most head marks.
Elsie Greenlee, Age 10.
Corydon, Ia, Route No. S.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
BUDDHA.

Buddha appeared about 600 years
before Christ.
1t will be a pleasure to study about
his life and how hard he worked tc
get away with misery and selfishness
and to make the people happy.
Buddha's father was king over
native tribe in India. His home was
near the sacred city Of Benares.
Gautama, for that was Buddha's
name, was a lovely babe, and when he
was few days old he was presented
before the idol. It was thought that it
bowed it's head and that meant that
Buddha would be great man. So his
father said that he was SO thoughtful
and that some day he might fall into
the hands Of Brahman priest. So
he lad three castles made and they
were surrounded with flowers and
there was where Buddha was to live.
He had nice boys to play with him
and maidens skilled in music and
dancing waited upon him. His father
said that he would imprison him with
flowers so that he would never want
to see the world and would never
know the meaning Of old age and
death. 81
When he grew to be man he mar
ried charming princess and she tried
to make him happy, too. But he
couldn't live to be happy just himself,
for his heart was full of love and pity
and an unknown voice seemed calling
him to better and more unselfish
life. But he did not know how to get
this life, so one night when he could
stand it no longer he rose, and taking
a last look at his wife and little son
while sleeping, took one of his favorite
and rode out Of the gate
and beyond the high walls surround
ing his palace.
He found hermitage in the jungle
and became the pupil of Brahman
priest, but the priest couldn't tell him
the cause of his sorrow or how to
heal it. SO with few companions he
went into large desert and thought
and thought.
He ate scarcely one grain OF rice
a day and became very pale and thin
and finally be became unconscious.
He found that fasting did not help
him, but he longed more and more for
perfect wisdom. One morning he lay
uuucT CT0e" ne OuuE16S I0uuSuAH5
by the dawn brought new light to
him. and he went from place to place
in Benares preaching, for he said:
II am going to the city to give light
to those that are in darkness"
Buddha chose his priests from all
classes. He did away with the fool
ish caste system and the poor and the
rich worshiped together. He taught
the people that after they died their
souls would come back in the form OF
an animal unless life had been so
holy that the spirit passed at once
to Nirvana. which was the Buddhist
heaven. a home Of Joy and peace. He
thought that all animals should be
treated kind, because some animal
might contain a soul of dead friend.
His sayings were: ITO live in charity,
to speak the truth, and to honor ones
parents After Buddha's death he
was made god.
If Buddha's had been alive he
wouldn't have liked it. for he had
never thought that he was god, but
Just good man.
Elizabeth Belle West, age IA.
r. R. No. g. Bloomfield, Ia.
Care L. H. Bates.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
THE LITTLE BLUE PIGEON.

Sleep. little pigeon, and fold your
wings
Little blue pigeon with velvet eyes;
Sleep to the singing of mother BIRD
swinging
Swinging the nest where her little one
lies.
Away out yonder I see star
Silvery star with a twinkling song:
To the soft dew falling hear 1t
calling
Calling and tinkling the night along.
In through the window a moonbeam
Lftsle gold moonbeam with misty
All silently creeping, it asks: '1s he
sleeping,
Sleeping and dreaming while mother
sings?"
Up from the sea where floats
tho sob
OF the waves that are breaking upon
the shore,
AS though they were grooming in
anguish, and moaning
Bemoaning the ship that shall come
no more.
But sleep, little pigeon, and fold your
wings
Little blue pigeon with mournful
eyes;
Am not singing?-see, am swing
Swinging the nest where, my darling
Hes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
aEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS,

1. Use ono side Of the paper only.
:. Write neatly and legibly, using
Ink or q sharp lead pencil.
:. Always sign your name in full
and state your age. go
4. Number your pages:
&. DO not copy stories or poetry and
send us as your own work.
6. Always state choice of prize
on 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, 1912-04-13
LEWIS ON A FARM OF 22o ACRES,

Dear Editorials have never writ
ten to the Courier Junior thought l
would write.
I am a girl IL years old. My birth
day Is the 9th of March.
have four sisters and two brothers.
l 60 to Mt. Pleasant school. I live
mile from school. l live on a farm
of 22O acres.
have pet kitten; it is all white
and it's name is Lester.
Eva Greenelee, Age IL.
Corydon, Iowa, R. F. D. No. S.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
VIOLET Is VISITING HER
GRANDMA.

Oar Editor: AS I have never writ
ten to the Junior before thought I
would write. I enjoy reading the
Courier Junior very much. came
here a few months ago from American
Falls, Idaho and am visiting my grand
parents. I'm eleven years old and am
in the fifth grade. have a little
brother. His name Is James Wallace
Roberts.
Violet Beatrice Roberts,
Eldon, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
SALT CREEK, MILES SCHOOL.

Dear Editor and Juniors AS I have
not written to the Courier Junior for
a long time I thought I would write.
I am a little girl nine years old.
My school will commenc e the 18th of
April. I go to Salt Creek school,
study in the third reader spelling and
For pets I have three cats.
Mile Huffman, Age 9.
Floris. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

still repeats in hooking voice what
ever, she hears. If you go out wher,
she happens to be, and make sount
OF any kind, she will repeat it for you
She can initiate dog or pig just al
we'll as she can initiate a person. Sh,
will sing or moan, if you sing or moa1
for her.
Part II.
Narcissus. the beautiful youth whom
Echo loved, was very proud OF his
good looks. He had never seen him
self in looking-glass, but many PEG
pie had praised his beauty. So, whe1
he learned that Echo loved him, he be
came very proud indeed, for Echo was
one of the most beautiful of nymphs.
'"She is silly nymph,' he said tt
himself. Il will pay no attention tt
her. She will love me all the more
then. That will make others love
ME-"
Thus Narcissus was not only toe
proud of himself, but he was unkind
to the poor nymph, whose love for him
had made her most unhappy.
THAT is not my fault" said Narcis
Before she pinned entirely away, Echo
prayed to Venus, the goddess of love
She asked Venus to make Narcissus
unhappy, too, SO that he would pity
others. ..-4 ,-
Venus heard the poor nymph's pray
or. One day Narcissus went to a
spring to drink. AS he stopped over
to get some water, he saw beautiful
$ono 1011L3nn him from
the bottom of the spring. T.
'"Ah, sweet nymph," cried Narcis-
sus, you are the most beautiful crea-
ture ever beheld. love you and
shall ever love YOU"
Narcissus smiled, and the soft blue
eyes looked up at him and smiled
back. He bent down closer to the
water, and the beautiful face moved
closer, too. Then he tried to clasp the
lovely head in his hands.
AS soon as his hands touched the
water, the beautiful face disappeared.
Narcissus drew back in sorrow. How
much he would give to call back the
lovely nymph!
He waited a long time, and then
leaned over the spring again. He
saw the lovely face once more. How
happy It made him! Surely the
nymph must love him! And see, she
moved her lips and smiled at him as
he spoke to her.
Speak to me, most lovely being!"
cried Narcissus at last: LET me hear
the sound of your voice. Surely, 1t
must be sweet to the ear" But he
could not hear sound, although the
lips moved all the time that he was
speaking.
Narcissus tried again to clasp the
soft, curly head in his hands. The
face disappeared again, however, as
soon as his hand touched the water
This made Narcissus desire the beauti-
Ful nymph all the more. He could not
cave the spring.
Day after day he remained there.
He implored the lovely creature to
come out of the spring. All was in
vain So he bent over the spring and
admired the beautiful face and the
golden curls. He did not once imagine
hat it was a reflection of himself that
ne saw.
Like Echo, he pinned away and died.
The gods pitied him, because he was
20 beautiful. and changed his body into
The beautiful flower that is named af-
Ter him. To this day the narcissus
grows lest by pools and springs. 1t
always droops It's pretty head, as If
looking to see something at the bot
.om of the clear water.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
THE JOURNEY OF A PENNY.

first saw light when I was taken
from a mountain side in Peru, by Sir
Francis Drake. He sent me to London
where was moulded into large mug
get. was then put into a large ma
chine and made into shining new coin
with Queen Elizabeth's head on one
side and Georges is coat Of arms on
the other. ..a-
I was sent from banker to butcher,
butcher to grocer and grocer to brewer.
BY the time was six years old I am
sure had travelled in ever corner Of
the country, and probably would have
continued travelling had not I had the
misfortune to fall into the hands OF
money loving fellow, whom people call
ed miser. This man took me home
and clapped me into an iron bound
chest, where I was greeted by thou
sands Of other coins as unfortunate as
I, am sure 1t was not bit comfort
able to be shut up in such a hot box
with no fresh air and sunshine only in
the morning when our master counted
US over and over again very carefully.
I lived in such misery for nearly two
years But one day the chest was chop
ped open by man and all the coins in
GLIDING me, came rolling out. This man
was our masters nephew and heir.
When his uncle was dying the nephew
was kind enough to come to our res
cue.
I fell into the hands of another
greedy man, who only willed few
dollars to his nephew. q was one Of
these coins.) The nephew was so angry
to think that that was all he got that
he threw us as far as he could. landed
under a sidewalk on the soft ground.
+ was losing most of my shining coat
by this time and probably I would have
died had not a cavalier, one day, who
was riding down the road, spied me
through crack in the wolk, picked me
up and exchanged me fod hot lunch.
was still alive when the Revolution
airy war commenced. A general paid me
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
Stories and Letters.
JOHN FEAGINS LIKES FELIX AND
FINK.

Dear Editor and Juniors:-I thought
I would write again to let you know
how l am getting along. I am better
today. l sat up in chair a little
while for the first time today since 1
have been SICK
l like to read the Junior page and /
like to read Felix and Fink.
John, Feagins, Age 10.
Bloomfield, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13
THOMAS HAS ONE BROTHER AND
TWO SISTERS.

Dear Editor:-I am little boy
seven years old. I live on farm.
have one brother and two sisters.
MY brothers name is Leo, and my Sis
ters' names are Kate and Margaret.
We have two pets, a cat and a dog.
The dogs name is Bounce and the
cats name is Puss. This Is my first
letter.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

Thomas Leonard Ward,
Melrose, Iowa, Route No. s.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-13

still repeats in hooking voice what
ever she hears. If you go out where
she happens to be, and make sound
OF any kind, she will repeat 1t for you.
She can initiate dog or pig just as
we'll as she can initiate a person. She
will sing or moan, if you sing or moan
for her.