davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08

as she looked at the little Fellow
seeds. I'm right glad to get them
What kind Of plant Is the love-
applet
We'll said the peddler, the man
who gave mo the seeds had his plants
last year in a sunny fence-corncr.
1.-The flowers are small, but tho
fruit IL bright red, and Is very pretty
among the dark green leaves. You
can't eat the fruit, thoughts poison
Gus. It's something new-the man Who
gave me the seeds got them from the
captain Of a ship from South America.
TsaK grow wild there
80 mother planted her love-apple'
seeds in a warm corner, and they
grew, and the little yellow blossoms
came, and after them the pretty red
fruit
1--WE children would go and look at
IT, and talk about It., and wonder II
it would hurt us II we just tasted 1t.
Zone day mother heard us talking
about it, and she called us away, and
told us that If we could not be salts
fled to look at the pretty fruit with
out wanting to eat it, she would have
to pull up her love-apple' vines and
throw them away.
I'VE knew she would hate to do
that, for no one else about had them,
and she was very proud OF them. So
we kept away from that corner, and
the vine grew and blossomed, and the
red showed In new places every day.
The birds didn't seem at all afraid of
the poison fruit, and ate all they
wanted Of 1t.
Zone day in the early fall my uncle
came from New York to make US
visit. When he went out in the gar
den, he stopped in surprise. Why,
Mary, what fine tomato vines you
have!' he said to mother, Where did
you got them?'
owe call them love-apples,' mother
said, and then she told him how tho
pedler brought the seeds. But, when
my uncle found that we were afraid
to eat them, he had a hearty laugh at
u.s. and then he showed mother how
to get some ready for supper.
"And that was my first taste OF
tomato, Johnny, grandma said, and
you shall have some the same way,
with cream and sugar, for supper.
Fannie L. Brent.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
A Tomato Story

"Have another tomato. Johnny,
said grandma, as she saw the last red
slice disappear from Johnnys plate;
II think you like tomatoes"
IT do" said Johnny, 81 like them
raw and stewed and bake and most
every way"
81 wonder if you would like them
the way I ate them last summer in
Wyoming?" Cousin May said. "They
were not plenty there, and We ate
them like fruit. with cream and sugar.
"Well," Johnny said, I'D just like
to try them that way"
"Why, bless the child" grandma
said. We'll have some for supper
That's the way we always used to eat
them, but it's gone out of fashion
now
Didn't you like tomatoes when you
were little, grandma?' Johnny asked,
as he saw grandma looking at nus
plate with a smile in her eyes.
"No," grandma said, "but that's be-
cause I was big girl before ] ever
tasted them. I never saw any until |
was thirteen years old.
81 can remembed 1t so we'll! A
peddler who came by our farm once
a month. bringing buttons and thread
and such little things to sell, brought
the seed to my mother.
"He used to carry seeds and cuttings
of plants from one farmers wife to
the next. and they liked to see him
come. He could tell all the news, too,
from up the road and down.
Zone spring morning he came, and
after mother had bought all she
needed from his big red wagon, and
he had fed his horses and was sitting
by the kitchen fire waiting for his din
ner, he began fumbling about in his
big pockets in search Of something.
FINALLY he drew out very small
package and handed it to mother.
"I've brought you some love-apple
Seeds he said. I got them in the city,
and l gave my sister half and saved
half for you
Il ".Thank you kindly mother said,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08

when the evening mail arrives.
want to tell the Juniors Of our
drill on Washingtons birthday. 4
was captain and commander and car
ried the dag, Paul gun and Thomas
a sword.
My grandpa, who was a soldier in
Gen. Hedrick's command, drilled us
and taught us how to march, halt,
front face, present arms and gave q
little drill. ....
We had red. white and blue paper
hats with stars on them, and spoke
the following:
washington was . soldier; he had
q sword and gun. Did you ever hear
how he made the English rum They
took their nag back across the sea
and left our bright nag of liberty"
Orin G.. McElroy.
Libertyville, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
EFFIE PlC'<-
Dear Juniors

Dear Juniors:
I thought I would join the contest
and write about my school mate,
Effie. She has blue eyes and light
hair. She lets her hair hang down.
Effie is seven years old. She goes
to the same school ! do uiberty
schooD.
We have good times together.
She is in the first reader.
Effie lives about two miles from our
house. She has kind heart.
She has two sisters and two broth
ers. Their names are Hazel, Theodore.
Avis and Carl.
AS my letter is getting long I will
close, hoping to see my letter Ill
print.
q Iva Traul, aged II.
Ottumwa, Ia, r. No. 9, box So.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
ETHEL DAVIS.

Dear Editor and Juniors:
As I have not written for a while,
I thought I would write about my
friend, Ethel Davis.
She has light hair and blue eyes.
She is about four feet tall. She lives
in Agency and goes to school there.
She likes to live there. She Is a kind
girl
Last summer she came out to her
Uncle Eds. One day she came to my
house. We had a good time. I like for
her to come to my house because we
have a good time.
She used to 60 to the same school
7 did. We played together and. had a
good time. She has three brothers and
two sisters. have not seen her for
quite a while.
She is twelve years old.
Nettie Miller, aged -.
Ottumwa, Ia. R. F. D. No. !, box "a.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
Stories and Letters.
LEoRA STOPS WRITING TO EAT
COOKIES.

Dear Editor and Juniors:-Well. as
I have got in the habit OF writing again
SO I thought I would write few lines
to the juniors today.
This is one of the prettiest days we
have had for long time, just like
spring day. am enjoying it by being
out of doors playing with my couslN
Stella Millet, our neighbours little girl
is here now.
I got four valentines this year, one
from Mile and Minnie HUFFMAN, one
from Stella Millet and real nice val
entine card from the Courier Junior
and one from Grandma Rich.
Now will write short story about
little boy know whose name begins
with G..
Cecil is a very bright little boy and
was one Of my little playmates when
we lived down by Floris. He hasn't
any brothers or sisters and like me
has to play by himself most Of the
time.
One day last spring he and his moth
er came up to our house and Cecil
brought little tin bucket full of nice
large radishes to me, and at Easter
time he gave me large goose egg. l
kept it so nice and have 1t yet. alt
though it got cracked little in NOV
ing.
Everytime they would pass our
house l would run to the window to
wave at him.
He always calls me little Dawsie.
He is either three or four years old. l
have forgotten which.
Although he is little boy he likes
dolls and he has two dolls and one lit
tie stuffed kitchen and other boys to
play with He has some marbles, one
large one and when l went down there
we would sit on the floor and roll it to
each other.
wish I could see him but as we
have moved a good ways off from
them I am afraid it will be a long
time before I can see him agin. His
name is Cecil Jones.
Well. as my mother is baking cook
les and some are ready for hungry
children, I will close my letter for
this time and eat big cooky. I wish
II could pass them around to some of
the Juniors I know. Cecil would like
one.
Leora Mae Dawson.
Washington, Ia Route No. 9.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
The Fairy Dell

Once there were three little girls,
and their names were Margaret, Mol
Ike and Mary. Margaret was tall with
long dark braids and black eyes. Mol
lie was short and chubby with light
hair and blue eyes. and Mary was
medium size, with brown hair curling
light over her head.
They we're all staying at a farm
house in the country during vacation
time: and one warm July day they
sat idly swinging in the hammock on
the porch, saying, ooh, what shall we
do?" They had been playing store,
selling flowers they had picked from
the garden. and the bright colored
petals were scattered about the floor.
Before them stretched beautiful
woods for miles and miles In every
direction, and at one side was high
hill that went up in the sky, and
looked almost as blue as the sky
itself.
81 know" said Mollie, Tets climb
that big hill and see what's on the
top"
mo, let's stay here and play house
with our dolls" said Mary. Its too
warm to walk"
Margaret said: "Too warm indeed.
OF course not Let's take a walk in thu
woods, and see what we can find. It's
foolish to stay around this house so
much"
81 don't think mother would want
me to CO." said Mary, "and can't ask
her cause she has gone to the vii
lage."
aOf course she would like yon to
20" Margaret said. walking makes
you grow, and that's what you're here
for. I'll tell you" she went on, "there's
dandelion gone to seed: I'll blow it,
and if the seeds blow all off. We'll
70 to the woods, and if half off. We'll
climb the hill, and, if only a teeny few
blow off, we'll stay here and play
house"
.All right" the children said. So
Margaret ran and picked the dandelion
ball, and then she puffed out her
cheeks as big as she could and blew
with a great big blow The tiny seeds
felt what seem to them great gale,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
MY FRIEND FERN.

I thought I would write a story
about my friend Fern.
She is thirteen years old and has
black hair and black eyes.
She is about five feet tall.
She is in the sixth grade.
She helps her mother a great deal.
She bakes bread, washes the dishes
and helps take care of the children.
She can milk, sweep the floor. scrub,
churn and do many other things.
She has two brothers and one SIS
ter.
Their names are Carl, Walter and
Gladys. They all go to school but
Walter, and he is the baby.
Anna L. Palfreyman.
Route I, Lucas, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
ELIZABETH PhILoMEN

Dear Juniors:
As I have not written for long
time I thought would write about my
little sister.
Her name Is Elizabeth Philomena.
She will be three years old the tenth
Of March.
She has blue eyes and light hair,
and Is cute in her ways.
She says she Is papa's boy. She
thinks very much Of her papa. She
likes to play on the piano. She will
sing Little Miss Muffet" and Take
Me Out to the Ball Game"
She is SO jolly and full Of fun. She
always wants to help mamma with
her work. She can talk Just about as
we'll as a grownup person. She knows
her age.
Mabel Keller.
E1don Iowa RoY 150
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
EDDIE's TRIP TO NEBRASKA.

Dear Juniors:
1 will write and tell you about my
trip to Shelton, Neb.
Mamma. papa, my little sister
Bertha and I went to Nebraska to my
Uncle Franks.
We started from Eldon on the 7
o'clock train Monday evening. We had
to wait in Ottumwa until 11:17 O'Clock.
We got to Shelton Tuesday after
noon at $3.50 o'clock. I got very tried
on the train.
saw many large herds Of cattle and
sheep.
My Cousin Earnie and / went hunt
ing and got five Jack rabbits.
We had fine time. I hated it when
We had to come home.
I would like to live in Nebraska.
Eddie Hart, age 10.
Agency, Iowa, Route No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08

Dear Juniors:
I thought would write to the
Courier Junior.
My Uncle Charlie is about As years
old 1t was his birthday on January
21st He weighs $50 pounds.
have not been down to visit
Uncle Charlie for long time.
He has two boys and three girls.
Their names are Neva, Russell,
Rosco. Minerva and Majorie.
He lives in the country near brakes
Vile
He has shepherd dog. 1t will
drive to and from the pasture.
I will close for this time.
Eugene Jones' age II.
Agency. Iowa, Route No. /.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
THE COURIER JUNIOR.
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.,
OTTUMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA OEVEREAUx,
EDITOR.
AN ADVERTISING CONTEST.

Dear Juniors:-For one of the big
contests this week we will announce
An advertising Contest" We want
m the Juniors to work in this contest,
selecting. some of the advertisements
IN today's paper and telling which are
the hest and why. Also tell why mer-
chants advertise. The writer's in this
big contest can select their own prizes
or select one from among the follow
ing: An Easter lily, fern, an Easter
cake. a box of Easter candy, a doll,
or q pair of roller skates.
This contest will open today ana
close Monday, March II.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
NY FRIEND EUNIcE.

thought would enter the contest.
am writing about my friend Eunice.
She has light brown hair, blue eyes,
is about FIVE feet in height and weighs
about seventy-five pounds.
She is fair and slender.
She is in the eighth grade.
Her teacher Is Mrs. Earle S. Smith.
The school which she goes to Is
Moravia high school.
She is very good in her studies. She
takes music lessons. and plays duets
with her friend. She can play very
nicely. -..:
Her pet is kitten Of which she is
very fond.
Your friend. ..
Elena Broshar, age II.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08

He went out hunting every morning
and when he came back tho Indians
would see how much powder ne
would use. One morning Daniel
Boone went out hunting and - soon
AZ he was out Of sight no ran away.
He ran through the woods. He did
not dare shoot or hight q fire. He
heard some Indians on his track anu
then he came to = tree where there
was a grapevine growing. He cut on
the vine and swung q long wayS ana
when the Indians came to the end OK
Boone'y track they hunted around for
his trail and then gave 1t up. And
when he got home he didn't ma his
wife there. She had gone back to
North Carolina He went and got his
wife. but before that he and his COM
panions had war with the Indians.
It lasted for nine days. Daniel Boone
had two men killed and four wound
ed, while the Indians lost ten times
az many. The Indians dug q mine I'M
der Boone's fort, but the muddy
water ran in and gave the scheme
away and when he came to the Ohio
river he found an old canoe In some
bushes.
Daniel Boone's daughter and an
other girl were out on tho river IN .
canoe and were captured by flvs In
dams. -.
The Indians made their trail
through tho brooks. As quick as
Boone found 1t out he started on the
trail. When he came up with them he
shot two of the Indians and the other
three ran away.
Charlie Donnimer. age 10.
r. r. I. KNOXVILLE, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
CATHERINE LIKES EVERYBODY
AND EVERYTHING

Dear Juniors:-I thought I would
write q letter.
This is my first letter to the Couf>
her.
Our school closed in January.
was seven years old November Z
and I am ready for the third reader.
like to read the letters and like
to read books and short stories.
I have q little sister named Gwen
dolyn. She has just learned to walk.
like to ride our pony, his name u
Bud.
Catherine HOFFMAN, Age Z.
Stockport, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
UNCLE DICK.

Dear Juniors:
I thought would write about my
Uncle Dick.
He has dark hair and blue eyes.
He is very nice man. I like to
go to see him very often because I
have a very fine time.
Uncle Dick lives about fifteen miles
from US.
One winter I stayed at his home
and I went to school and when it was
very bad weather Uncle Dick would
take me.
The teachers name Is Miss Bonnie
jones' l like her very much. She has
light hair and brown eyes. She is a
very nice teacher.
Ina Wheeler, Derby, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
Madness COUSIN ELENA.

Dear Courier Junior: I thought l
would enter the name contest and am
writing about my Cousin Elena.
She has black hair, brown eyes, and
is eleven years old.
She has two sisters, and i've
brothers.
She is in the seventh grade and her
teachers name is Mrs. Smith. She
is very good in all her studies.
She takes music lessons. She and
her friend play duets. -,
She helps her mother with the work,
and helps take care of the baby.
Her pet is a dog of which she is
very fond.
Nadine Broshar, age 10.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
ATLAS PETS.

Dear Juniors:-I have not written
for so long I thought l would write.
My brother and ! share our pets to-
gether. We have one nice dog named
Ranger. We have two rabbits. The
color of them are black and spotted.
We have two sheep, one pig, and two
cats. We can ride one of sheep.
I have three dolls and a stuffed
rabbit. have set Of dishes, table
and many other things. have nice
play house which like to take my
dolls and play in
I had birthday the eleventh of this
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08

will write about my sister. Her
name Is Faith.
Faith goes to school every day and
did not miss one day all last year and
only one and one-haK days this year.
She has brown eyes and dark hair
and looks like her papa.
Faith is not selfish, but she does
not like to work very we'll.
She was 10 years old the Gath OF
February. She was born in Fairfield,
Iowa.
Mabel Keller, EldOn, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
MY FRIEND EDITH.

Dear Editor: I have friend Her
name is Edith. She Is nine years old
and has light curly hair and blue
eyes.
She goes to school every day and
attends the same school l do.
We have lots of fun together.
Edith and Faye Fletcher are my
playmates.
Edith has one sister and two
brothers. Their names are Mildred,
Harold and Donald.
Her sister is older than she, and
her brothers are younger.
Dottla Hunter.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
EDWARD LYLE,

Dear Juniors: l thought I would
write you about my little brother Ed
ward.
He has blue eyes and auburn hair.
He will be years old the 30th of
April.
He likes to pull his sled in the snow
and he has a gun.
He likes to play. He goes hunting.
Well this will be all for this time,
goodbye.
Gertrude Gail Jameson, age 7.
Route No. e.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
sT. PATRICK POST CARDS.

March II you all know is ST. Pat
rick's birthday. Now we want all the
Juniors to receive one of the beautiful
ST. Patrick post cards, and they can
do 90 by writing on one of the follow
ing subjects, or by writing an Interest
ing letter:
ireland.
st. Patrick.
My Best Friend.
How Saved 500.
What i Will DO When ! Grow up.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
SEVEN, RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

/. Use one side of the paper only.
3. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
8. Always sign your name in full
and state your age
4. Number your pages.
s. DO not COPY stories or poetry and
send US as your own work.
s. 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, 1913-03-08
EFFiE.

Dear Editor:
I thought I would write about my
friend. Effie.
She has dark hair and brown eyes.
She is eight years old and goes to
school. She is in the third reader. She
lives on a farm and has five brothers
and six sisters. Their names are
Grace. Blanche, Nettie, Dorothy, Beu-
lab, Madge. Clair, Ray, Kenneth,
Floyd and Arnold.
Ruby Peck. aged 10.
OttumWa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
NY FRIEND EFFlE.

Dear Juniors:
T thought I would write amout my
friend Effie.
She has brown hair and has brown
ewes. She is eight years old. She goes
to school every day. She Is in the
third reader. She has six sisters and
five brothers. Their names are Beu-
lah. Blanche. Grace, Madge, Dorothy,
Nellie, Ray, Kenneth, Floyd, Clair. Ar
mold.
T will close, hoping to see my letter
in print.
Emma Gleg, aged II.
Ottumwa. Iowa, r. F. D. No. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
DOROTHY COURIER.

Dear Editor: -....
thought would write about
Dorothy Courier. She was my teacher
two years ago.
She has light hair, blue eyes. and
she is tall and slender.
She could draw and paint very good.
She painted some pretty pictures and
put them in the school. She did many
things to amuse the little children. l
liked her very we'll
will close for this time.
. Sigrid Anderson.
Blakesburg, Ia, Route No. I, box 60
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08

and honey and glasses of sparkling
dewdrops, which they gracefully placed
before them.
Thank you, thank YOU" the child
rem said, in voices as gentle as pos
sible.
After eating this lunch, which,
strange to say. seemed to them like q
hearty meal at home, the queen blew
three blasts on red columblne horn
saying. Attention, puff midgets!"
Immediately the white balls that had
been aimed at Margaret by the pea
soldiers began to noat up in the air,
tiny hands stretched out on either
side of each one, and with these they
beckoned to the children while they
sang:
Come, come, come,
We will lead you home.
Follow, follow through the dell,
For the way we know so well.
Come, come, come,
We will lead you home.
'"Take. take, take,
For tbs getting late.
Catch us, children, just for fun;
Try, and do not fear to run.
Take, take, take,
For It's getting late"
Thus the dandelion seeds sang, and
Mollie and Mary, after taking a re-
luctant look at the fairy dell, follow
ed them; and then, strange to say,
instead of a rough, crooked, over
grown path, they found themselves
slipping down smooth road, laugh
ing and chasing the seeds.
But Margaret stamped her foot and
said: what silly children to run aft
err dandelion seeds! shall not 60
their way, but my own. / don't be-
lieve they know where to Co. and
she ran off in another direction.
Half an hour later Mary and Mollie
found themselves in sight of the
farmhouse, and their guides, nodding
a goodbye, began to float higher in
the air
"But we can't go on without Mar
garrett" the children said. "Oh, dear
puffs, do find her and help her home,
too
"She was rude to you," the puffs
replied; "she stamped her foot and
called you babies and "fraid cats,
and led you on: and she has torn
more petals from the fairies dresses
when they were in the garden than
any one else"
Never mind" they pleaded, do
help her lust the same. We do not
want to have her lost in the woods In
the dark night"
They had no sooner said that than
10 nd
lowering over her head was the rose
queen. riding on a golden butterfly,
who waved her hand as she flew away
singing
Loving hearts are wonderful things,
They give to fairies charmed wings,
And a selfish child
Can grow meek and mild.
When children forgive,
IT'S a JOY to live"
Then suddenly 1t was broad day
light instead Of night time, and Mar
garet, Mary and Mollie found them
selves swinging idly in the hammock
in the warm rays of the sun, yaWn-
ing and rubbing their eyes. II do be-
lieve we've all been asleep instead Of
going anywhere!" Mollie said. But
at supper time they had strange stor-
les to tell their mothers about fair-
les. Only Margaret did not say much
but looked sober. But from that time
on Mary and Mollie noticed that she
was unusually kind and thoughtful
and tried hard to please them, for
often the lines sang in her mind
when children forgive,
IT'S a joy to live"
And after that the children were
careful not to tear off the flower
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-08
AUNT EDITH.

Dear Juniors:
I thought I would write story
about my Aunt Edith. She has blue
eyes and dark hair. She was born in
Lucas, Iowa, but she now lives in
Butte, Montana. She works in a store.
It's name is Lutz Bros. She used to
work in a candy store. She worked IN
it for eight years and for while she
did not want to see candy.
Well, will close, from
Anna Palfreyman, aged 13.
Lucas, Iowa.