davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
HAZEL WRITES A MOST INTER-
ESTING LETTER..

Dear Editor: "-< ., s..@
AS have not written for quite
while thought I would write
I go to the Jefferson school. My
teachers name is Miss Gaily. I am in
the seventh room. like my teacher.
My aunt and uncle have been visit
ing us from Oklahoma. 1t is quite in
teresting to hear them tell about the
Indians. They are civilized but most
of them live In wigwams down there.
People lease land Of them for a num-
Der of years at time. There are also
wild horses down there and enormous
large herds of Texas cattle. My uncle
sometimes helps herd these big herds
Of cattle. My aunt says they have big
times down there like they used to
have years ago, such as fish fries and
egg roasts. There will be several fam
lilies go together and take kettles,
dishes and provisions and go out
along the river. They will camp for
two or three days at time. They
catch fish and fry them. My uncle says
he has caught fish longer than he is
tall. Oh, wouldn't I like to be out
there! They also have large fields Of
cotton. They told us how they chopped
cotton out And how they pick it. They
have colored people to pick it. My aunt
and uncle's names are Mr.. and Mrs.
Thompson.
Well, as my letter is getting long I
will close.
Hazel Altman, aged II.
! Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

Dear Junior.
I have an uncle Benjamin Franklin
Long.
Benjamin Franklin is my mammals
brother.
My uncle Benjamin Franklin Long
lives thirty-five miles from US. He
lives a mile and a half west of Glad
stone.
Benjamin Franklin was down here
last fall and Aunt Minnie Long too. We
had fine time eating watermelons
and musk melons one night. They went
down to Uncle Will Longs. They went
down the creek and got in a, lot Of
sand burs. They came back on Sun
day evening and papa took them to
the train Monday morning. Uncle Ben
jamin Franklin built house last fall.
My uncle BENJAMIN Franklin is 80
years old and weighs $50 pounds.
He has dark hair and dark eyes.
Benjamin Franklin married Minnie
Alice Butz. # -,@.,s.
I will close
Charlie Dommer, aged 10.
KNOXVILLE, Iowa. Is
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
ALIcE-eY VERNNE WILLIAMS.

Dear Editor:-Once upon time
there was a little girl by the name OF
Alice. She was newsgirl and had
no name but the one the street boys
had given her
one day she was standing on
business street in New York City,
when a cry of horror caught her ears.
Turning, she saw girl of her own
age in front of q dray. Dropping her
papers, Alice ran In front Of the on
coming dray, and catching the rich
mans daughter threw her into the
arms of a policeman.
Alice was hemmed in on all sides.
The street was cleared after while
by the policeman, and Alice's limb
and Iifeless body was found beneath
the dray. A doctor was called hastily.
He made his examination and report
ed broken arm and leg.'
An ambulance was on It's way from
the city hospital 1t soon arrived and
bore Alice to the hospital. ...
For two months the city took care
of her. When she returned to her post,
everyone was glad to see her.
While selling papers. cold nose
was thrust into Alice's hand. A white
poodle dog stood Dy ner size. oeelns
that he had attracted her attention the
dog dropped note into her hand and
danced back and forth. ..#
Alice opened the note. It was an
invitation from Annie Ambleton, to at
tend party that night.
II can't go!' said Alice, but while
she was considering handkerchief was
placed over eyes. The next instant
she was in an auto and whirled along
the streets And afterwards instead
Of being poor namelss girl, she was
rich mans daughter with a name to
be proud Of
Veonne A. Williams, Age 13.
Douglas, Wyo., Box 614.
P.S. | received my prize and thank
you ever so much. 1t is a very pretty
and interesting book.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
THE COURIER JUNIOR.
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co.,
OTTUMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA DEvEREAux,
EDITOR. D..
EuNjcE WILTON ON "HER AUNT
BETH"

Dear Juniors: We are very happy
today because SO many of the Juniors
are becoming interested In the name
contest. The prize Is awarded TO
Eunice Wilton, who wrote about her
Aunt Beth" We wish we nao
special prizes for all the workers III
this contest. However all the Juniors
can work In the contest this week. .
The writer's in this weeks contest
c.n write about some one whose name
commences with &C."
We viii run a name contest each
week. using 3D." next time, and so on
until the end of the alphabet is
reached. We hope the Juniors Will all
ike this contest, and work in 1t. The
writer's can select q prize from among
the following articles: A picture,
book, doll, music. roll, souvenir spoon
pocket knife or skates.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
NGEIlN e.

I will write story about my little
cousin Angelina Schoech. She was
named in honor of her grandma.
She is six years old. Her birthday
was the 10Th of September, the same
as her great grandma's was. She has
light hair and brown eyes. ~
She lives near Blakesburg. We got
one OF her pictures last fall. She has
one brother and two sisters. Her SIS
ters' names are Beulah Lucille and
Clara Blanche. :s.ss s-l.-
Angelina and her brother 60 to
school. They haven't very far to 60. I
don't know their teachers name.
Well 7 guess I will have to close.
as don't know much to write about
Angeline. ...-
Anna Irelan, aged 10.
Drakesville, Iowa. -s.N.-
P. 81 received my book and thank
YOU very much for it.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth
president of the United States. He was
March 4. 1861.
He was born in Kentucky February
-. 1909 and died in Washington April
IS, 1865. His father was unable to read
or write and his own education con-
sisted of one years schooling. He was
known as an honest lad. He
served one term and one month of the
presidency.
When he was young he split great
many rails.
He was one Of the few presidents
that was shot. 1t was just one month
after the reelection. Andrew Johnson
took his place as president. Lincoln
was honest and faithful. He was very
anxious to serve his country.
Frank Rogers. age 13,
Abba, Ia, r. No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15

had lots Of fun. Then we put on gum
boots and waded in pond. MY folks
came to see Bessie that day and we
were all there for dinner. Bessie mao a
awful nice dinner and when l wen!
home she gave me some anger 1000
cake and some things for my lunch for
school next day.
Bessie is not afraid to drive their
horses either. We were in the carriage
with her one day and had to cross
Cedar. The men were fixing the bridge
and we had to drive down the bank and
through the water and up an aWfui
steep bank, but Bessie did the driving
and wasn't a bit afraid. They take the
Courier. I wonder If she will see this
letter and know who I mean.
Fay McReynolds. age IS.
Hedrick, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
STORY OF LINCOLN.

Abraham Lincoln was poor BOY.
He was born on Feb. II, 1909, in a log
cabin on Nolins creek in LuRue coun-
tv. Kentucky No doctor ATTENDED
his birth. When he became a BOY
there we're no books for him to READ
because he was too poor to buy them.
But he would sometimes borrow DOCKS.
He read constantly when he nad an
opportunity.
When he became a larger boy ne
would help row boats Of cotton to New
Orleans. One day he found two bright
silver half dollars In a boat. When
he became a man he would chop WOOD
to make some money to buy his 1000
and clothes. He would pet any KIND
of animals. He thought they should
live as we'll as any one else. r-
Abraham Lincoln was tall man.
He measured six feet four inches in
height when he was seventeen years
of age. Lincoln was very honest
man and so he was appointed post
master at New Salem.
He was then elected president Nov.
6 1860. and took oath of Office March
4, 1861.
The beginning of the civil war was
ADTll II, IOOl. ~ AooIOA oA'AA NNF.
I. 1y65. Lincoln was shot April IA,
1865 at a theater one evening as he
and his wife were in box. The Sec
ond curtain had gone up when he was
shot by John Wilkes Booth. ne had
stepped behind the box when he shot
Lincoln and then ran to the door and
fell and broke his leg but ran to barn.
They could not get him out and so they
set the barn on fire and he had to run.
The men shot him on the run.
Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves.
It was a great honor to the United
States. Lincoln was fifty-six years OF
age when he died. There are monu-
ments in the larger cities Of the
United States and at his birthplace in
memory of Abraham Lincoln. He was
the greatest man Of his time.
Louise Deuser, Age IL.
Hedrick, Iowa, Route No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
BESSIE.

Dear Editor:-I thought l would
write to you again and join the name
contest. Will write about my cousin
Bessie. p. OIL.
She lives in Gearing. She has dark
hair and is a dark complexioned per-
son. * 49, i. .,.
She has one sister and one brother.
Her brothers name is Hartley and her
sisters name is Goldie. She goes to
high school at Gearing. .rs
We always go to see them when we
go to Gearing. f..
l always have good time when l
am with Bessie. She Is a real nice
girl I think. She treats me we'll and l
always aim to treat her well.
Sybil Wheaton, Age 10.
Ottumwa, Iowa, Route No. l..
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15

Wind that was playing on the hilltop.
II know too many trees to be mis-
taken in one of them. 1t is tree
little green hickory tree"
And so it was, the tiniest tree that
you can imagine. Why, it was no taller
than a little flower! g..
ut will grow" said the South Wind,
blowing softly upon it.
''Oh, yes, it will grow" said the
bright Sun. .E
Grow, little tree, grow" sang the
April showers; and the little tree
grew taller and straighter and strong
er every day.
Day after day and year after year
it grew till there was no taller tree
on the hill, and no other nut tree bore
finer nuts. '.#.,
The first year that there were nuts
on the hickory-tree wonderful things
happened on the hilltop. Early one
morning men came with sharp axes to
cut down some of the trees and bushes
and make great clearing in the wood.
They were busy for days, and no soon
er had they gone than carpenters came
with lumber and tools. Fish, fish, and
rap-a-tap! The wood was filed with
the noise of their work from morning
till night. There is no need for me to
tell you what they were doing You
can guess without word from me
that they were building house. IL
was a pretty house. with good stout
walls to keep out the rain and the
sleet and the snow and wide beautiful
windows to let in the sunshine and
air When it was finished, the carpen-
tiers fenced in yard around 1t; and
what do you think? In one corner or
the vord stood tall. straight hickory
tree, the very hickory-tree about which
have been telling you. o..
When the family to whom the house
belonged moved there, the hickory.
tree was the first thing they noticed
at their new home A little boy named
Rob spied it as they were riding up
the hill.
"Oh. what nice, big hickory.tree!
he said: and, as soon as they had got
ten out of the carriage. he and his sis
ter Mary. ran to see if they could lind
some nuts. a
who planted this nice, big hickory
,tree?" said Sister Mary.
Now if somebody should ask you
that, I wonder what you would say
Maud Lindsay, in kindergarten Re-
view
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15

There was an old cat. and oaoy cay.
One bright summer day the motner ca
took a notion to go out for walk ny ne
baby cat was very happy that ner
mother was going to take walk ios
her mother is always watching ner an.
finding some fault about ner: 2ne s az
to herself this is a time that l ea" W
anything I please. .nd
She walked happily to the porch ann
took nap. But she soon woke up LOT
fear her mother would come.
Then she went out on the green grass
to get some exercise.
She was playing around and having
a good time when soon she sa"
mouse. She jumped on it with ner Ior.
whirling on the ground making motions
like a mouse.
Gertrude Barmash,
426 E.. Main ST., OttumWa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
TheHickory
Tree

Once upon a time there was a
thrifty gray squirrel. All the bright
autumn days he went whisk, whisk,
through the woods, gathering nuts for
his winters food and hiding them
away in his pantries.
We have but one pantry at our
house in which to store good things
for winter, but the gray squirrel had
more pantries than he could count;
and, whenever he needed new one,
he made it for himself His pantries
were holes in the ground, and, as soon
as he had filled them with nuts, he
covered them up so we'll that nobody
else could find them.
There were acorns in some Of them
and chestnuts in others, and one day
he brought fine large hickory nut
from far-off tree and hid 1t right on
the top of the hill where he lived. 1T
was the last nut that he stored away,
for that very night the North Wind
came with a whirl of snowflakes, and
the next morning the gray squirrel
stayed in his hollow tree house with
his bushy tail wrapped around him for
blanket.
"This is time for nice long nap,
he said to himself; and he slept there
almost all winter, except when he got
hungry and went to his pantries for
! something to eat.
He nibbled acorns. and Toasted on
| chestnuts: but for some reason Il
think it was because he had put W
| more nuts than he could eat) he left
the hickory nut just where he had hid
den it on top of the hill.
It lay there as still, as still as coulo
be till spring came and the gentle ra1r
battered down with tap, tap, tap;
tap, tap. tap; it was very pleasant
sound. The grasses heard it and thrus
their little green heads out OF the
ground: the flowers heard it and hur
ried out of their brown earth beds
and something in the heart OF tht
! hickory nut heard it and began tt
stir and grow and push it's way ou
and up through the darkness into tn
light.
What is it? What is it? Whispered
the grasses when they saw 1t.
i What is it," asked the flowers.
i ut is a tree" answered the Soutl
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
BUZZ is GRAcE's BROTHER.

Dear Editor and Juniors:
AS have only written to the Junior
once before thought l would write
again.
I like to read the Courier Junior.
am girl with brown eyes and dark
hair. l am II years old.
I have one brother. His name is Buzz.
He is ten years old. He has light brown
eyes and dark hair.
Our school was out the 31st OF Janu-
airy and / am glad.
NV chums are Blanche and Loretta
Parker. Blanche goes to Bear Creek
school
My teachers name was Edna Adcock.
For pets I have pigeon and dog.
Grace Neaterour. age II.
ChillicOthe, Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
BERTHA HAS BLUE EYES.

Dear Juniors: This Is the first time
| have written to the Courier Junior,
so thought would write about lit
tie friend of mine
Her name is Bertha. She has blue
eyes and black hair.
I go to the Bear Creek school.
L have two brothers and two sisters.
Their names are William, Carl and
Ethel and Goldie.
My teachers name Is Margaret NC
Coy. I like her fine.
go to school every day. MY
studies are reading, history, arith-
metic, grammar, physiology, geo.
graphy, and spelling. ..
Pansy Brown. Age 10.
e., Bear Creek, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
QUEEN CITY JUNIOR CALLS.

Editor Courier Junior: ~
As Il have never written to the Cour'
Ter I will write a few lines.
I am ten years old. I have brown
ewes and auburn hair. go to school,
We have eight months school, five
in winter and three in summer.
have seven studies, arithmetic, nth
reader physiology, grammar, history
spelling and geography. am In the
fifth grade. live four and one nall
miles from Queen City.
MY papa is a stock buyer. He ships
his stock to ST. Louis. went with
him once last summer. had fine time
and saw great tall buildings and lots
of strange people saw lots OF things
that did not look like they could De
made by hand.
have two brothers, Paul and Hugh
, I go to Sunday school. have dog
his name is Bruce.
Emory Smith,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15

close.
Dear Minnie and Millie:-How are
you girls by this time? am we'll. all
but having a little cold. l miss you
girls so much since we moved. IN.
tended writing sooner but just could
not get at it. I have not unpacked
my playthings yet, SO haven't much to
do these days. l still watch the clock
and say when it is time for you to go
to and from school. want to hear
from you through the Courier page,
How is Thelma? Best wishes to all.
From your friend, -."
Leora Mae Dawson, Age B.
Washington, Iowa, Route No. ,.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
CARL HAS A WHITE FACED
PONY.

Dear Juniors: I thought I would
write about my pony. 1t is black with
a white face. 1t is so cute. l can ride
it all around
II don't like to leave the barn on
these cold days. E
My little nephew is visiting at our
house We have fine time when ne
is here.
go to the Bear Creek school.
NV teachers name is Miss Mccoy.
I like her very we'll.
Carl Brown, aged III.
Bear Creek, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15

the evening for the exhibition came
again, he was ready and as brave as
ever. This time he forgot to make his
bow. but he commenced his piece
right
"I am a very little boy
which bit of information was given
with such grave face and In such
solemn tones that somebody IN the
audience laughed. This SO confusod
poor Davy that he could not think OF
another word. He plunged his right
hand into his pocket, and then his
left hand into his other pocket. hop
ing to find his thoughts there, | sup
pose, for boys pockets hold almost
everything. But Davy could not find
a single thought in his pockets, so he
made his bow and walked OF the
platform as coolly as If he had recited
the whole piece. The superintendent
said kindly that he had done very
we'll, he had made beginning at
least, and must try again on the next
evening.
think that most any little boy
I know would have been discouraged
by this time. But Davy was deter
mined to speak that piece, and never
once thought Of giving 1t up. Every
day his mother heard him repeating
the verses when he was at play in the
woodshed all alone, and once in the
night he began $500.
81 am a very little boy
But I can" .."
and then he struck his hand so hard
against the bedpost he awoke.
When the next evening came,
Davy's face was as bright as a sun
beam. His sister tried to persuade
him not to speak. She told him he
would not remember his verses, and
she should be ashamed Of him If be
failed the third time.
"But I shall not fall" said little
Davy, stoutly, 81 shall say every
word"
He did say every word and spoke
loud enough to be heard all over the
church These are the verses:
II am very little boy,
And cannot read or spell,
But I've a lot of picture books
That I know very we'll.
"And I can whistle, too, three tunes,
Anu L CdI I'LL dAA hoP,
And play with boys at hide-and-seek,
And spin my humming top.
"And, though I'm such little boy,
I'll do the best I can
To live a good and noble life,
And be an honest man.
Oh, how glad Davy was when ne
got through! The superintendent told
him he was a brave little fellow, and
he felt sure he, would make noble
man. Then he took one Of the oou
quets from the table and gave II Il
him, saying
~ give you these flowers because
you have shown so much persever
ance."
Davy did not really know what thu
big word meant, but he was sure tina
it meant something good. He tool
the flowers and marched down th'
aisle, happier than any king | eve
heard of in my, life; and since thu
night he has never had any trouble
speaking at the exhibitions.
Now, children, think you unde7
stand that perseverance means nevel
give up. When you are learning
long lesson, or doing hard bit o
work, or trying to break up bat
habit, you must remember that 20.
cannot succeed unless you have 1
great deal of this never-give-up spirit
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15

Papa and went hunting the otner
day and papa killed two cottontalls
and two lack rabbits. l like to hunt
jack rabbits because / like to see
them run, for they can run so very
very fast. r.-
like to 90 to school.
NV teachers name Is Miss Mary
Eastman. Il like my teacher.
/ have three-quarters of a mile 10
walk to school. I have not missed
day since school began.
We can see the mountains 1roro
where we live. / like to look at tne
mountains, they are 80 beautiful.
Everett r. Day, age y.
Douglas, Wyoming.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
ADDE'S FRIENDS, sUELAH AND
BESSIE.

Dear Editor:
AS have not written for long time
I will write a story on the name con-
test. as have two little friends
Their names are Buelah and Bessie
They are in my class at school
Buelah has brown eyes and brown hair
Ressie has blue eyes and black hair
90 TO Hickory Flat school. My teach
er's name is Miss Irene FLYNN. i've
six miles from town. I like to reao
the Junior page. My papa has taken
the Dailv Courier for long time.
Well will close hoping to see my
letter in print.
Addie Clarkson, age 10.
FlCris, Ia. r. r. No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
THE ROBIN.

The robin is among our first messen
gers to tell us that spring Is mere. 10y
viii know him by his pretty red breast
and brown back and wings. He has
verv cheerful song of Cheer up! Cheer
IN, He comes when there is still snow
on the ground and builds his nest IN
the branch Of tree. The eggs OF q
robin are Of a light blue. Then In the
early fall he flies away to the south
again but in the spring he comes back
again and we are glad to see him.
Howard E. Thompson, age -,
Russell, a., r. No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
A Cock and the Sun

X cccle sees the sun as he climbs up
thessast;; 49,,
-Good morning. Sir Sun, It's nlsn
time you appear;
i've been calling you up nor an nout
At least;
I'm ashamed Of your slowness al
this time of year, q.
Thaa .un. az he quietly rose into view
Looked down on the cock with
show OF fine scorn;
you may not be aware, my young
friend, but It's true,
That rose once or twice before
yon, sir, were born!'
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
HOW MILDRED SPENT HER VAcA-
TON.

Dear Editor:
A T have never written to the Jun
Tor before I thought I would write and
tell YOU how l spent my vacation
Monday the first day Of my vacation.
we baked and, worked to get things
ready for Christmas. Tuesday evening
there was Christmas tree at the
church and we went to it and had
fine time. My aunt SADIE Garfield came
home with us and stayed all night and
the next morning we fixed up Christ
mas tree, NV aunt Frances and Uncle
lin Stodehill. uncle Elias Garfield.
Willie, Wessie, Theo, Nellie Stodghill
were here for Christmas dinner and we
had our Christmas tree in the after
noon and old Santa Claus came. ! got
lots Of things.
Mildred Olney age II,
Dudley, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
BESSIE, FAY M'REYNOLDs' MOTH
ER'S FRIEND.
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
T thought I would join the contest
this week. The one am going to write
about is named Bessie. She is mammals
friend and they live in the country.
Bessie is not very tall ana Httie
fIeshy. has dark hair and blue eyes, and
is Jolly and full of fun. Any one would
have a good time to go there. know l
always. do. stayed all night at Bes-.
sizes one night and the next day her
husband and two oldest hoys went
hunting We hoys shot at marks and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Abraham Lincoln was born on the
IL day Of February, 1909. He Is very Of
ten known as Honest Abe" When
he was young he clerked in store.
He made mistake of a few cents.
The honest man walked several miles
III which to remind the lady of what