davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Little Dorothy.

Once upon q time there was d little girl. Her name was Dorothy, Her mother was poor, because her father money he earned. The little girl car ried dinners to her father and then to another man, who gave her 25 cents a week.
 Her father did not know this. but one day he stayed at home. This day was Friday. when the girl got the money.
 Her father saw the money, and that night when Dorothy went to bed she heard a noise down stairs. She crept down the stairs and saw her father with some other men getting her money out of the bank. She knew where her father kept his gun and went to get it.
 When her father was just about to get the money she ran into the room and made him hold his hands up. Then she made the other men go out
 The little girl told her father it was bad to drink. and after a while he stopped drinking. He then kept steadily at his work and became rich.
 He and his wife afterwards liked to talk about Dorothy, who had changed their fortunes so much
 CONNIE RIDGEWAY, Age g.
 Baltic.
 My Pet Banty Hen and Rooster.
 I had two bantys to start with I
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Written for the wideAwake Circle. N

Written for the Wide Awake Circle.
 It was a cool day in April. The willows had yellowed and put forth their catkins, the woods were half hid den in the haze of spring, and here and there 8 violet was in bloom in a warm and sheltered spot. The odor of fallow land was in the air, and the birds were chanting happy rOundeIayS. It was the kind of a day the butterflies that have wintered in the shrubbery and trees make their first flight abroad, and these are the only butterflies that look upon the departing ice and snow.
 Mrs. Mourning Cloak and MT. Grapta Coma met in an open lot and after a social dance in the air they flew to a low, sunny fence gail for a little chat, as cousins will. You could see that they touched horns and courtesied as polite butterflies do when they are feeling happy and friendly.
 How have you been all winter?' in quired MT Grapta Coma of Mrs. Mourning Cloak.
 Passed a real comfortable winter in a pine tree," replied Mrs. Mourning Cloak, "altho' must say have had a few noisy neighbors. do not see why the owls hoot so at night, and the jays hoIler so by day"
 "It is because they belong to noisy families guess remarked MT. Crap ta Coma. Its natural for some folks to make a big noise so other people will know they are a1ive.''
 'eWhere did you spend the winter, MT. Grapta Corna?" asked Mrs. Mourn ing Cloak.
 T shall have to explain" answered MT. Grapta Coma. You see, I stayed out late one evening in the Fall, and when I started for home it was so blustery couldn't get there, and when I was bewildered and almost lost a strong gust of wind kindly threw me into a bed of leavas on the south side of a wall, and I stayed there. I crawled into a hole, and as the zephyrs played with the leaves they closed me in, and none of these searching winds found me all winter long,
 "Oh, what an adyenturel" exclaimed
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
.Wauregan.
The Origin of The Woodpecker.


 There was an old lady who lived on hill. She was very small. and she always wore black dress and large white apron with big bows be- hind. On her head she wore the queer est little red bonnet you ever saw.
 It is a sad thing to tell, but the lady had grown selfish as the years went by. People said this was be- cause she lived alone, and thought of no one but herself.
 One morning, as she was baking i cakes. a tired, hungry old man came to her door.
 My good, woman" said he. Twill you give me one of your cakes? I am very hungry. I have no money to pay for 1t. but whatever you wish for, you shall have cakes, and thought that these were too large to give away. So she broke off small bit of dough, and put it into the oven to, bake, But when it was done she thought this one was too nice and brown for beggar. So she baked a smaller one, and then a smaller one, but Teach was as nice and as brown as the first.
 At last she took a piece of dough only as big as the head of a pin, yet even this looked as brown and fine as the others.
 Then the old lady put all the cakes on the shelf and offered the old man a dry crust of bread.
 But the poor man only looked at her and before the old woman could wink her eye, he was gone.
 Then the old lady thought a good deal about it, and knew that she had done wrong.
 'tOh, I wish I were a bird,' said she, I would fly to him with the largest cake on the shelf''
 As she spoke she felt herself grow ing smaller and smaller, until the wind picked her up and carried her up the chimney.
 When she came out. she still had on her red bonnet and black dress. You could still see her large, white apron with the big bows behind. But she was no longer an old lady, but a bird, Just as she had wished to be.
 But she was a wise bird, and began to pick her food out of the hard wood of a tree.
 And people after while, when they saw her at work, named her the red headed woodpecl1er.
 FREDERICK MEYER. Age B.
 TaftVi1fe.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Black Jim and Shadow.

black J1n lay stretched his whole lensth Tn front of the fire taking his aIlef-dlnner nap. but at last it be- came so hot that he got up and stretch ca hImself. and sat down on the door mat to wash the little white spot on his throat, the only white on his whole black body.
 These few white hairs were his pride ana ne washed them often so they would be as white as could be-
 As he sat there Little Ruth, his mis- tfess, came in and nearly stumbled over him.
 Why Jirn.'' she said, ethat is no place for big cat like you, why don't you stay in your basket ?'
 Then she took something from a httie shawl and put it on the floor
 ''This is little Shadow and you must be very good to him."
 lie looked up and there he saw a lit tie kitten just like himself, only small even to the white spot on the neck
 J1n did not think much of having another cat in the house, and just like himself, too, but Shadow mewed soft ly and put one little black paw on Jim's great big one and said in cat talk:
 Please be good to me. I have lost my mother and have come here to live with you and Ruth.''
 Jim still was not quite sure whether he liked this kitten or not But when paw with the other around it's neck and both were asleep.
 I'm sure they will get along all right together" said Ruth to her mother that night, and they did.
 Even Jim got to thinking so much Of Shadow that one morning he came and dropped a little baby mouse at the kittens feet and that surely showed
 MADELEINE TUCKER, Age 14.
 Columbia
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
She sIept at IdIewiId.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell you about my visit to Cornwall on the Hudson, in New York state.
 I saw the house that the poet Willis owned, and I slept in it. It is in sight of the Hudson river.
 saw several ships sail up and down the river.
 Right across the river were noun tains, and at night the lights on the mountains and those of the ships were very pretty The estate is called EIdlewiId.''
 I also saw the grave of a dog. The dog was a favorite of the children of Idlewild. This dog had been with Dr. Kane when he was trying to discover the North Pole.
 There was a clubhouse not far from the house- In it was @ stuffed black bear and large moose. There was also a stuffed peacock This bird was On the walls hung canoes and many other Indian things
 JESSIE L. BREHANT, Age 16.
 T,Oo1ISt Valley L. l. N
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
How to Make Pen Wiper.

Dear Uncle Jed: Most all of our young Wide -Awakes are all little schoolchfldren and need many little utensils for school. I think the most useful thing is a pen wiper,
 They are very simple and most of us know how to make them.
 But I received one for a present from one of the little friends at Christ mas so I thought I would write and tell you how it was made,
 A pen wiper may be of any shape, but this one was that of a bell. The coverings were of red velvet, and several pieces of white linen eleth for the wipers. At the top was bunch of red baby ribbon tied in very pretty bow.
 This proved a very profitable pres ent, and I was very pleased with 1t,
 JENNIE Nj 'SIEFF'EY, Age 13.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
You and !.

Now don't you think it's puzzling That "you'' are sometimes 'me, And both of us quite other folks, Called they" may often be? When I mean me than I say 'I,' Then why do you say your And if I'm 'I'' then tell me please, How you can be 'I." too? If eT' am ~you,- and "we'' are they Then who is which or what? If "mine' means yours and theirs
 is ~ours,"
 Then whose is all the lot? It is a dreadful puzzle!
 How shocking it will be, If yours does not belong to you Nor "nine'' belong to "me!"
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30

had them about one month when the ntfle hen began to Jay eggs. saved some for the hen to set on. She came off with seven chickens. She was very proud of her little brood
 About six weeks later the rooster LOOK the little brood and brought them up. He'd hover them every night. He taught them how to fly in the trees and now to roost, just as a hen should.
 The hen set again and matched nine little chickens.
 The rooster would have taken care him.
 When they grow up they are very pretty The hens are buff color with brown necks. The roosters are green and red. with a big green tail. The hen has two little checkens now
 HAZEL L. HOWARD, Age 1s.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Doris Plays Gettinq Dinner.

Dear Uncle Jed: I have been read ing the letters and stories in The Wide Awake Circle and I thought that I would write.
 I live in Stafford Springs. It is noted for it's mineral water. People come here from far and near to drink it. It is sent out of town to a great many places.
 Now I will tell you of one of the good times that we have had at home lately. My brother Percy built fire place of blocks and stones. Then we built fire in it. We have pine trees in our yard. so we can burn the pine cones. When we get the fire agoing we put a stick across with a pail of water on it. When the water gets hot we make believe get dinner. Wouldn't you like to have some of our dinner with us?
 DORIS c. PARKHURST, Age II.
 Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
My SchooIhouse.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would write and tell you about my school house.
 My scrooIhouse burned down Octo- Der IT, 1912, and so 1 have to go to school in the Parish house.
 I have a mile to go to school.
 I study reading, language, arith- metic, geography history and spell ing.
 My teachers name is Miss Hollo- we'll I am down stairs. There is about AS children in my room. q am in the 3 grade)
 My sister is upstairs, and her teach CTS name is Miss Mullen, and there is about 40- children in her room. She is in the first class.
 VINCENT F. WATERS, Age 3.
 Peouetanuck.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Picnic in the Weeds.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am writing to tell you how we boys enjoyed a pie nj cIast fall.
 We started early in the morning for woods which was about a mile away. For a couple of hours we gath cred chestnuts until we had about three quarts.
 With a spade which we brought with us we dug a deep hole and lined it with stones, then we started a fire with dead branches and tVvigs to heat the even for our potatoes. In another fireplace we burned cones to heat our coffee and in still another we boiled water for our frankfurters.
 When all was ready we spread a tab1ecloth on the green grass and on this we put eur ham and peta- tees, bread, cake, coffee and frankfur- ters, and such a jolly feast as We all had.
 Then we raked all the eeaIs frem eur fires together and roasted our chestnuts.
 After three reusing cheers we went home to make our plans for another picnic next fall.
 JOSEPH KEENAN,, Age 12,
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
PRIZE BOOK WINNERS.

1-Horatio BiseIow, Jr., of Norwich, .'The Break O Day Boys,' by Victor St. Clair.
 2-Hsrry Cookson of Centerville, L. L, Brave Ton.' by Edward s. Ellis.
 3-Hannah McVeigh of Norwich, The Harmon Girls by Mrs. L. T. Meade.
 4-Jessie Brehant of Locus Valley, L. L, '-The Odds and the Evens," by Mrs. L. T. Meade.
 5-Irene Godhue of Scotland. ''Ander- sen's Fairy Tales.''
 6-HazeI Howard of Norwich, Their Little Mother" by Mrs. L. T. Meade.
 7-Madelire Tucker of Columbia. The Rebel of the School by Mrs. L; T. Meade.
 8-Joseph keenan (send in addressl, |, The Young Conductor" by Edward Ellis.
 Prize book winners living in Nor wich may call for their books at The Bulletin business office any hour after 10 a. m. on Thursday.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Horne Made Valentines.

Dear Uncle Jed Valentines day is coming and we'll soon have to begin to make our valentines,
 I thought I would send a few diFec- ttons that might help some of the Wide AWakes.
 From a sheet Of stiff white papet cut rather large ebleng one that measures three by five inches would be all right. Then cut from scarlet paper heart measuring two and one half inches from top to bottom Paste heart at the end of the oblong and then put a small white heart in the center of the large red one. Print at end or bottom of card: .To My Valen- tine." and on the other side of car6 print: No matter what you do or say ysu cannot rub me the wrong way.'' This makes a pretty valentine.
 Fer anetEer valentine: Cut four stiff white hearts. Cover with gold paper and when paste is dry lap the four little hearts with points touching then paste together. This will make it feur-leaved clover form; then with a paint brush and gold paint, paint a small arrow and do the following let tefs: Coed luck to my valentine"
 Another pretty valentine picture fran7e is made in this manner: A large white heart will make the back of the frame. A heart the same size and cut freIn the same stiff paper makes the front, but this heart is covered with gilt paper, and a heart-shaped
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
POETRY.
The Household Fairy.

Have you heard of the household fairy
 sweet. Who keeps the home so bright and
 neat? Who enters the rooms of boys and
 girls, And finds lost marbles or smooths out
 curls Who mends the rent in a. girlies frock, Or darns the hole in a tomboyS Sock? :? If you don't believe it is true, I say You may search and find her this very
 day
 In your home. You must not look for 8 maiden aeair. With starry eyes and golden hair; Her hair may be threaded with silver
 gray, But one glance of her eyes drives care
 away, And the touch of her hand is so soft
 and light When it smooths out a place for your head at night. If you know of some one just like this, My household fairy you cannot miss It's Mother.
 Alice B. Huling.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE
 AWAkES.
My School and Home

live at Centerville, R. L go to the CenterViiIe grammar school. It is about five minutes walk from my house.
 start for school about quarter of g o'clock in the morning.
 1 live a half mile from Arctic Center. I go up there to get things for my mother.
 There are four rooms in my school I am in the third room. There are nine windows in my room. There are thirteen blackboards. too. I am in the sixth grade. There are fortyt two scholars in my room. I have a little sister who goes to the same school.
 I have a room of my own at home where I keep all of my things. I am a Boy Scout of America. I have a rifle, a lasso and an Indian bow.
 I have a friend who also has a rifle, and when I was up to his house we shot a. bees nest all to pieces.
 He was down to my house last Fri day and went home Sunday.
 HARRY COOKSON, Age F,
 Centerville, R. I.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE.
 AWAkES.

In wonder whether you have decided to be Eyes" or NO Eyes" in life? It pays to be Eyes but you can get along and be ''No Eyes"
 Perhaps you have never yet awaken ed to the truth that there are people who having eyes see not and having ears hear not"
 Do not think this means those who are born blind or deaf. for it does not It means that those who have their sight increased by knowledge have sharp eyes, while those who have the
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30

Compound and I purchased bottle. Before it was gone the bloating left me and was not so sore. 1 continued talk ing it until had taken twelve bottles. Now am stronger than have been for years and can do all my work, even the washing. Your medicine is worth it's weight in gold. I cannot praise it enough. If more women would take your medicine there would ibe more healthy women. You may use this let ter for the good of others. ''-Mrs- D. H. BROWN, 8o9 N. Walnut St., lola, Kan.
 Change of Life is one of the most critical periods of 9 woman's existence Women everywhere should remember that there is no other remedy known to so successfully carry women through this trying period as Lydia B. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.
 If you want special advice write to Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Go. fcOnfl- dentfaD Lynn, Mass. Your letter will be opened, read and answered by & woman and held in strict confidence.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Likes the Country.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am little girl eleven years old. I was born and brought up in the city and moved to the country three years ago. did not like it at first, but like it very well now.
 We have lot of chickens and they are very tame, and when l call them they will eat out of my hand.
 have pet dog and his name is Sport.
 I have a big malty cat and he has double paws all around Sport and the cat will play for an hour at a time.
 l go to school every day. We have
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Noble Trees.

Dear Uncle Jed: We have a yard of five elm trees. One of the trees is ten feet and four inches in circum- ference. Another eight feet and two inches. Another fourteen feet and six inches around it. Another five feet and inches, and one more eleven feet and six inches.
 One of the trees out in the front yard is twenty-five years old, and an other one in the front yard, people say is over a hundred years old. CHARLES HENRY PERRY, Age 10.
 Scotland
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
AIFreIse Pa4e

Dear Uncle Jed; I am farmer boy and I am going te tell you about our farm.
 We have ten cows and. one small calf. We have two gray horses which are very gentle, and I go down to the barn to see them every day, and once in a while I help my brother feed them. I have four hens and one rooster and I am building a, small coop for them. I have two white pigeons and one black one.
 I have a doo named Buster and 2 cat whose name is Pete
 ALFRED BECKWITH, Age 12. North Franklin.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Cur FNm.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would write you another letter about our farm.
 My father owns farm of 165 acres. He has 13 COWS, ? horses and Is sheep.
 We have 9 United States cream sep arator, and we send the cream to the creamery. I help papa to separate the milk and I help my mother 10 dry the separator things
 We have calf three months old and I feed him every morning, before I go to school, and evenings when I come home.
 We have 75 hens and 20 pigeons.
 We have 4 pigs, two white ones and two black and white ones.
 I must close with best wishes to you and the Wide-Awakes.
 MARGARET E. GRADY, Age 10.
 Scotland
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
The Accident.

One pleasant afternoon Donald and Mildred asked their mother if they might ge for little drive. She con- scented and soon they were on their way
 '.Wasn't mother geed te let US ge driving?' asked Donald.
 Mildred had no time te answer him for at that moment an automobile came whipping around a corner, and before Donald could turn cut the aute had struck the pony cart. The chill dren were thrown cut and the fright ened pony was running acress the fields toward home.
 By this time the auto had stepped and the tive ladies who were in it came to see if the children were hurt.
 Mildred was crying, but more from fright than anything else.
 Donald was sitting on the ground
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED
The Bees.

Dear Uncle Jed: One day when was out hunting in the woods with one of my friends I saw a large bees nest hanging on a limb of a tree.
 When we got ready to come home I climbed up the tree and took it down and I took 1t home
 l put it in a room where it was warm, and didn't know there were any bees in it.
 I went outdoors and when I came in l went to get the nest and show it cut a rather large oblong-one that swarm of bees came out of it. Then he told me to burn it up, so [ did When 1t was nearly all burned up I saw a lot of them. but they were dead
 OTIS CONRAD, Age 12
 Norwich
 Guess you had a wasp's nest Uncle Jed
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Like to Go to School.

I thought would write and tell you about my school. I am in the fourth grade. I have history, gram reading, arithmetic and geography.
 There are twelve scholars in my class, I have 8 mile to walk, I live on the side of the mountain.
 I like to read the wide wake letters in The Bulletin.
 HOWARD wELDEN, Age 10. NilIina nfic.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30

lore l LOOK your med
 icine I could not
 bear the weight of my clothes and was bloated very badly.
 Idoctored with three doctors but they did me no good They nature mus t have it's way. My
 sister advised me to
 take Lydia E. Pink hams We egetab bIe
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
The Fox and the Weedman.

Dear Uncle Jed: A weedman eeR- sented te hide a fex pursued by hunt CTS. The hunters asked where the fox was.
 The man said he did not know, but he pointed toward the hiding place. { The fox, escaping, said: If your fin ger were as honest as your tongue, l would thank you"
 JOHN NJ MEYER. Age 9. TaftYiIle.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30

viewing the ruins of the pony cart. He was not hurt. but much fright ened.
 The ladies were very sorry about the accident and said that the chauf- feur must have been extremely care less to have done it. They took the children home in the auto.
 Their mother was very glad to see them for she had been much fright ened when the pony had come home alone, She never let them go out alone again
 ETHEL MAE DAVIS, Age 14.
 WanraQ9n
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
A Noble RaNenae.

Ned was a little boy ofz eight. His father was a wealthy merchant.
 Ned was a very proud little boy. He would go with nobody but those who were proud like him.
 One day when he was out playing a poor little boy of his size asked him to play marbles. He turned around and said:
 ''He would play with no boy of such a low class" and he walked away.
 The poor little boy said nothing, but went to play with someone else.
 One day Ned got thrown down by horse and the poor little boy picked him up and took him home.
 Ned was very grateful and after that he was not so proud a boy
 EUGENE ROULEAU. Age Il. Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
He likes to Read Books.

Dear Uncle Jed. I am going to school and l am in the sixth grade. We have to study hard or else we will miss our lessons.
 After school I do my chores and go to the store for my mother.
 I like to read books.
 I think the High School series are good. I think Irving Hancock writes good books, and l thank you for the book you sent me
 FRED KTIlPATRICK, Age 12. TaftViIle
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30

opening is cut to hold the picture. Join back and front by pasting edges. On the inside heart paint the words:
 For your pictures frame
 Twill surely do
 And, like my heart,
 Be full of you" hope some of the Wide Awakes will make some of these valentines and then report.
 HANNAH L. M'VEIGH. Age 14. NorNNicf
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
Traininu Two Little Kittens.

Dear Uncle Jed: Where I was visit-f ing a few weeks ago they had two lit tie kittens. One kitten was gray and the other was tiger color. We taught them how to go up and down stairs and to walk on the pipe down cellar. We had fine fun doing it.
 JOSEPHINE HOLBROOK, Age 10.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-30
The First Time She Ever Cooked

Dear Uncle Jed: Now I am going to tell you about the first time I ever cooked anything.
 One day my mother and father went away and stayed over night. I had to help my sister get the supper. I peel ed the potatoes and set them on the stove to cook. made 8 good fire and then went outside It was the first