davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
THE OUNCE.

I am going to write about the cards
you sent me.
One has a cat on It with a Ounce cap
on the cap On the cap 1t says Ounce"
His cap is red with white strings
floating from the top. The cat has blue
eyes. His ears are black. There is q
clock in the room. Up at tho top Of the
card It says this "A ten o'clock
scholar"
He has on a green robe. He Is study
ing out Of red book. The name Of the
book il History Of Scotland
He looks awful funny. His ears are
sticking straight up.
/ will now write shout my other
card. I will name It the four eggs and
the two big birds.
There is a f,eld. In it there is nest
with four eggs in It. One bird II looking
At the eggs. The other one Is flying
around the eggs.
Well now viii write about the
cards you sent my brother. He would
write about his own but he wrote
story in the W and x contest The first
one I will write about Is a picture Of
q southern place. am going to name
It springtime.
On the card IL a house with a lady at
the door. The lady Is talking to her
husband. The next one Is the picture OF
cat. The cat is black with q crow on
his head. He has a pipe in his mouth.
He is old King Cole.
The next one Is the picture Of Mark
Twain. This man has gray hair and
gray whiskers.
Waldo Emmerson Beck, age 5,
Hedrick, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Erma Josephine's Current
Event" a Picnic.

Dear Juniors:-As have never
written a letter to the Courier before
I thought would write about picnic
A few days ago my music teacher
Miss Helen Dining had picnic 1o1
her scholars out at Wycoff's pond.
Miss Dinning's brother, Matt, TOOL
US out i'm their automobile. There wa
about twenty>sh Of us.
We had q splendid time wadng IN
the water, boat riding, playing games
and all sorts of things We mad oui
pictures taken several times.
All of US took q basket OF dinner ano
everybody had something nice Tor
nicuic dinner. At supper time Matt
was to come out and bring the Ice
cream but had to work and was TOO
late.
About 8 O'Clock We started home and
got to town and we met Matt but JUST
part got to ride and the rest had TO
walk. J.
We had three races and I won IN
the Girls OF my size. got some hair
ribbon for winning.
We returned home about 8 o'clock IN
the evening and was very tired
Well, will close for this time, mop
ing tor see my letter. tn print. NY
birthday is Nov. and would like to
correspond with some Of the Juniors
Erma Josephine May, Age II,
Cincinnati, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Etiquette

NY kitty Is the incest one,
Her fur is soft az silk
But, goodness, lookee what she's done
She's spilled her bread and milk!
I does my vewy best to show
MY kitty how to eat,
I feeds her wiz a spoon-1ust so
But she amt very neat.
4 suess her mama never knowed .-
The incest way to do,
Cause II she had she would OF showed
MY kitty manners, too.
MY mama shows me everything,
And 1t would be shame
II I'd not twy my best to bwins
MY kitty UP the same.
80, kitty, you must learn to eat
More careful and precise,
And you must look 80 clean and sweet
That folks will say How nice!
wished I had pussy-cat
AS neat and cut as you,
A pretty kitty, white and tat,
wiz such good manners, tool"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Chicago Junior Always
Reads Courier.

Dear Editor:-I have been enjoying
the Courier Jounier ever since could
read enough to understand the letters
My father has tagen the Courier eyel
since we lived in Chicago.
l liye to read the country girls let
tiers because I have lived In the city
all my life of eleven years.
l live near Fuller park, where
spend most of my time In vacation. II
is park occupying large city square
1t contains play grounds for young
and DID, large library where gel
four books in two weeks. large
swimming pool open two days tn the
week for girls and large part Of Il
is grass and trees.
Agnes Henerman, Age II.
. 52S West 44th st., Chicago, III
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
When the Table Fork
Came Into Use

We now look upon person who
uses his knife to convey food to
his mouth az being ill-bred and a
boor. But the time was when all our
ancestors ate with their knives, for
the knife and the spoon were the only
table implements with which to eat,
unless ones fingers might be called
such. Italy was the first country to
adopt the table-fork. Other European
countries soon followed the Italian
style, all sove England, which "sneer-
ed at such q device" and refused Tor
a long time to use 1t. Writers OF old
time customs tell us that during the
time Of Shakespeare and Bacon few
Englishmen used the table fork and
that the majority of them knew moth
ing of 1t. But Ben Jonson knew OF the
fork. for in one Of his comedies he
ridiculed the italian fashion of sub
shutting forks for fingers and in 80
doing, Saving the table napery."
When the fork did at last invade
England, it was much laughed at as
a dandified device fit only for foreign
ers. And it took several years for 1t
to get into general use. A writer on
the subject is quoted here:
Thomas Coryote, an English tour
list and writer, who flourished IN the
reign Of James I, fixes the date ap-
proximately when the fork first came
into use. He set out on tour OF
Europe in 1908. Just when Shake
speare was engaged in writing his
masterpieces, and Bacon was deep IN
his new philosophy. On passing into
Italy, the traveller encountered the
fork for the first time, and listed 1t
az a great curiosity. In his journal OF
the tour, he said (his photography Is
modernized) The Italians and also
most strangers who are residents OF
italy, do always at their meals use
little fork when they cut their meat;
for. while with their knife, which they
hold in one hand, they cut the meat
out of the dish, they fasten their fork
which they hold in the other hand,
upon the same dish Of meat, so that
whatsoever he be that, sitting In the
company Of any others at meat should
unadvisedly touch the meat with his
fingers, from which all at the table
do cut, he will give occasion of Of
tense upon the company as having
transgre ssed the laws Of good man
ners; in so much that for his error.
he shall at least be browbeaten, It not
reprehended In words"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Aunt Polly - BY Lester
Johnson.

In little low room with homemade
furniture and woven rug ON the floor.
sat Aunt Polly in front OF the fireplace
pairing pan Of red apples.
With holes for windows and q piece
Of cloth hung over them to keep out
the cold air. Aunt Polly was an old
lady dressed in home spun clothes.
In the room is an old stand with .
bouquet Of roses on 1t. In the corner y
an old fashioned rocking chair and
beside it long porch chair. On the
wall are two pictured Of mon dressed In
union soldiers uniforms, probably some
relation to Aunt Polly, who perhaps
died for their country. In one corner
stands musket probably used by one
Of the men.
Sitting beside Aunt Polly is an old
tomcat gazing at the glowing Goals Of
the fire. Living this way she seems
Lester Johnson.
p. S.: wrote this story for a COM
position at school.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
LYDIA WRITES TO HER FRIEND.

Dear Friend: will write you few
lines. How are you getting along?
I suppose you have plenty of boat
rides now? would like to see you
very much. Who are your little play
mates now?
Mine are Minnie and Maud Smith.
We have lots of fun. Have you many
pets? Tell me about them when you
write. ,.. %
For pets have dog named Teddy,
and half bantam hen. My aunt Emma
Cottrell gave me the little hen several
years ago. I think she is years old.
She raises lots Of chickens every
year and lays as many eggs as any
other hen we have.
We will never sell or kill her. Well
i will close for this time.
Your little friend,
Lily Cottrell, age 9.
Abba, Iowa, r. r. No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23

Dear Editor:
I thought I would write about the
post card you sent me. 1t is a lake
named Killarney. It has big rocks in
1t and they are called the Colleen Bawn
rocks. They have grass on the top Of
them. There are two red cows and one
yellow COW. All Of them have horns.
Lake Killarney Is near Brickeen
bridge. It was here that Danny Mann
threw fair haired girl into the water.
The lake has stri~ Of pretty grass. It
has little rocks laying around in the
lake.
Well as I cannot think Of anything
else about the card will close.
Hazel Kitterman, age IL,
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
ELLEN ON PARIS.

Dear Juniors:
I haven't written for long while, SO
I thought I would write small letter
about Paris
Its streets were decorated with mar
BILE arches, columns, statutes and
planted with rows Of trees.
On summer evenings l saw people
sitting at little tables along the side
walks taking refreshments and talk
ing gaily.
/ went to the galleries Of Paris.
saw pictures and statutes from Italy
and other countries once conquered by
the French.
Students from every part Of the
world go to Paris to study painting
music, medicine and science.
/ saw beautiful pottery made near
Paris. It is the largest city in Europe
except London.
Ella Merine Hobbs, age IA,
Riverview ST., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Gerald's Capitol Story a
History.
Dear Editor and Juniors:

Dear Editor and Juniors:
I thought I would take for my sub
ject, 1.-THE state House Of iowa"
1t is the capital of the state and also
the county seat Of Polk county.
This building was erected at cost
LOT nearly three million dollars, and is
one Of the finest and most beautiful
structure Of It's kind In the United
States.
It is located in east Des Moines and
stands between the Des Moines and
Raccoon rivers.
This building is where the legisla.
ture meets to form the laws and gov.
erning Of Iowa.
The first session the Iowa Legislature
was held at Burlington in the year
1889.
Here at this session three commits
sioners were appointed to choose q
favorable site somewhere in johnson
county for q location Of an Iowa
capital.
The location finally agreed upon
was Iowa City and here in 1910 the
first capitol building was erected.
Much dissatisfaction arose in regard
TO the location. Some declared 1t was
to near the eastern boundary Of the
state. A commission was then appoint
led to find a more suitable place.
They finally agreed on Monroe City
in Jasper county. For some reason Mon.
roe failed to get the capital and the
Legislature continued to meet In Iowa
City until 1855.
Then the capital was moved to Des
Moines more central location OF the
state.
The state government has three de-
partments the executive, judicial and
Legislative.
The executive department is com.
posed OF the governor, lieutenant gov.
ernor, secretary Of state, auditor, at
torney general and members of the
board Of control.
The chief officer is the governor,
who is elected for term Of two years.
He must be a male citizen Of the U.
s. and must be at least thirty years OF
age. His duty is to see that the laws
made by the general assembly are
properly enforced.
The legislative branch is composed
Of two houses, the senate and the
house Of representatives.
The judicial department is COM
posed Of supreme court, district court
and majors court.
The supreme court is composed OF
six Judges.
The district court may include sew
eral counties which is known as the
judicial district.
It is the duty OF these judges to
hold court at different county seats.
Large cities Of seven thousand or
more may have what is known as q
superior court There are at present
q hundred and eight representatives
and fifty senator's at the Iowa state
house. Bringing my story to close !
remain as ever.
Your Junior friend,
Gerald Fulmer,
Chillicothe, Iowa, r. r. No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Pearl Guile Likes LADY
Linda -

Dear Editor and Juniors:-I want to
thank the editor for my book I have
just received named Lady Linda," "
which was a very interesting book. !
enjoyed reading 1t so much that l
neglected to write to thank you for 1t.
want to tell the Juniors what hap
pened Monday. 1t was the day the
men thrashed in our field. Ny
friend, Margaret Harrison and went
over In the field to see them thrash.
We watched them while until we be-
came thirsty and my papa was coming
|,with Tom Thumb and we got In the
buggy and wrove to the house to get
drink Of water and some apples.
Just before we reached home the
horse ran away. It got scared at an
automobile. No one was hurt but 1t
tore the buggy up.
When we got our drink and apples
we drove back to the field to see them
thrash some more until we became
tired and then we drove my pony back
towards home. We had to cross q
railroad track. There was train
coming and we were afraid the pony
would scare 30 we got out of the bug.
gy and held to his bride until the
train passed. Then we went for homo
but when we reached my home It be-
gan to rain so Margaret had to stay
with me until after the rain was over.
Then I took her piece Of the way to
her home. My friend thinks they will
thrash this week and she wants me to
come up and watch them trash. II
nothing happens maybe shall get TO
60.
It will not be very long until school
will begin. wonder how many Of the
Juniors will be glad when school be.
gins? do not want It to begin but !
hope the rest are not like me because
it is a nice thing. We have school to
teach US of all the important events
that have happened. But we all ought
to learn and do our part for our par.
ents did not have the advantages we
have today.
After get grown up and graduate
from some school think I shall be-
come a milliner. would like to ex-
change post cards with the Juniors.
Pearle Guile, Age 18.
KNOXVILLE, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
JEsslE,s FIRST LETTER.

Dear Juniors:
AS I have never written before
thought I would write.
I have a little brother. His name is
Russell.
For pets I have q cat and five little
kittens.
One OF them 10 white and the rest are
black and white.
And we have one other little kitty,
Rut n is larger than the rest.
I 20 to the Eddyville public school.
am In the second room A class.
Some Of you Juniors write to me
Jessie Miller, age 8,
Eddyyille, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23

such a great show OF his desire t
Zine the ball out" was the very thinl
that set the baseball kinks" in tina
doughty third.sacker's brain In mo
ton. So he set himself, ready TO-
anything.
Curly" wound up and let thu
ball fly. It was meant to be an out
drop that would break just before
it reach the plate and elude "Buddy's'
mighty swat.
almost the very second "Curly'
delivered the ball Midget" saw
"Buddy's" right hand slide up his bat
Instantly he came running In TOWARD
the plate. And of all the people
there, either on the field or off, he
alone had anticipated the play.
For Buddy" laid down a slow
rolling, twisting bunt just inside the
third-base line.
The crowd gasped in amazement
OF all things! If ever there was
time to cline her OUT this was!
But Buddy" was playing Inside
baseball" and his bunt caught the RED
Lot infield fiat-footed, that is-all ex
cept the Midget" And he would
have been, too, but for the fact that
he had anticipated the play.
In and in he came, his legs fairly
flying over the ground. Buddy
was beating it down to first In high
glee, while "Scrappy" stood waiting
with a big lead of the sack, to see
if Midget" fooled the ball; then
he would dash home with the run
that would sew up the game.
On and on came Midget" 1t
seemed that he simply could not
make the play. But then-then he
took a desperate chance. Running
low, he scooped up the ball, and,
without even steadying himself,
hurled it toward first, where 1t thud-
ded into Fatty" Henry's glove sew.
eral steps ahead of Buddy"
Of course, when "Scrappy" saw the
Midget" get the ball he set himself
ready to dash back to third In case
the throw to first was not attempted
yet equally ready and set to start for
the plate II the ball was hurled aft
er Buddy"
But, you see, he had not counted
on Midget making the throw
without so much as Strengthening I'D
or, it seemed, even looking toward
first. Therefore, he lost a second
or two and that made the difference
between his sliding into the plate
ahead of the ball or behind 1t.
And that was exactly what did
happen. The instant the ball hit
"Fatty's" mitt, he shot It back to
"Trip" Dugan, the Red Lot catcher,
who touched the sliding "Scrappy
Just a fraction Of a second before
his feet hit the home plate.
It was a double play! And light.
ming one, too! The game was over!
Once more the Red Lots were re-
turned the victors.
And why? Simply because mid
get" Ellis used the baseball brains
he had been endowed with and -
beat the other fellow to the play!
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
One Of Pearls Grandfath-
ers Killed While Harvesting

Dear Editor and JuniorS:--I am not
blessed by having grandparents living
as many children are for have Meth
or grandpa nor grandma.
My Grandpa and Grandma 6tober
farm. They had three girls, mamma,
Aunt Letta Wood and Aunt Rebecca
Davis.
My Grandma stober was born in
1912 in Columbian county, Ohio, and
my Grandpa Stober was born In 1874
in Ashland county. Ohio.
My grandpa was In the war Of 1868.
He married my grandma after he
came home from the war In 1867. My
grandpa was killed BY team while
harvesting July 80, 1879.
My grandma and the three children
kept house until March 6. 1882, when
the death angel again visited the
homo. She died Of brain fever. thus
leaving mamma and her two sisters to
struggle through this world without q
mother or fathers loving care.
My Grandpa and Grandma Guile liv-
ed on farm near Drakesville,
My grandma was born in Decatur
county, Ind, in 1929, and my grandpa
Guile was born in Warren county, o.,
in the year 1847. To this union were
born ten children. Their first children
were twin girls, Aunt Elmira Morris
and Aunt Elvira Dickson, Aunt Hattie
Nighswonger, Aunt Mary Hill, Aunt
Anna Guile, Aunt Matte Flemming,
Uncle Dell Guile and my papa.
Aunt Sarah and Uncle George died
when young. Nv grandma was an in
valid for six years but bore her afflic-
tons with great patience. She died
May Is, 1893.
Then my grandpa and my Aunt An
ma moved to Moulton, where they kept
house until my grandpa died Feb. 4.
1905. I was just four years old when
my Grandpa Guile died 20 you see
didn't have grandparent very long.
Pearle Guile, Age 10.
Unionville, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
LAZY JIM.

Once there was a boy named Jim
and he was very lazy. s.
He would not get up in the morning
till 1t was about time to go to school
Then he would play around and be late
to school. When he would get to schoo
he would not get his lessons.
When he would come home at night
he would not work.
His parents say, how different II
would be If Lazy Jim would only
change his way.
~ Bessie Brunson, age 10,
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Jessie Mcclure on Her
Grandmother.

Betty Davis was born on June II
1887, IN Kentucky. She had as far al
she could remember, one brother. old,
er than she. In 1912 when she waa
1ve years OF age she was sold to
family. named Blackner, who lived in
Milan county, Texas She did moi
ever see or hear from her brother
again, who was sold to another family,
In Milan county the Bfackner,
worked large farm and kent many
slaves. My grandmother, who was
now called Betty Blackner, was NOT
sent 70 the quarters" but was kent Ia
40 the housework. She was Influenced
to DO her work well more by threats
OF sendlns her to the quarters than
By promised whippings.
During the war grandma was con.
stantly with Mrs. Blackner who was
partly insane because OF the threaten.
ed freeing OF her slaves
In 1855 Mrs. Blsckner was foroe4 "a
reiinquish her hold on the slaves and
grandma went to Marlin Springs and
picked cotton and washed clothes for
a living.
Charles Suitors was sold out Of Mis-.
sissippi when he was eight years old.
He was very hard to control and was
not kept by the same person very long
alta time.
In '63 he suddenly developed a will
If his own and was next heard Of In
camp with the union forces. He car
rled ammunition and was generally
useful in skirmishes.
He learned while In the army 10
count to twenty-three but could never
learn to read or write.
He was nearly killed ma battle near
Washington when Gen. EARLY made his
raids.
After the war was over he went to
Marlin Springs where he met and mar
ried Betty Blackner. They had twelve
children. nine of whom died while
they were still young. The remaining
three, two girls and one boy, married.
The two oldest ones live in Falls
county, Texas, and the youngest, my
mother lives here in Ottumwa. We
came here in 1909.
Grandma had one great-grandchild
sisters only child, Ruth. Ruth was
OOiA JuAo 10 1910 tAo AAOHIA anu udy
being the same IS her ;great-grand-
mothers's. "A
BY 1907, grandma had saved enough
money to buy home near the Galilee
church in Perry, Texas. There she
lived the remainder Of her life alone,
she and her husband having separated.
The place goes to mamma because She
is the youngest and was grandma's
,favorite child.
She died August Is, 1912, leaving
three children. twenty grand children,
and one great grandchild. Grandpa is
still living.
Jessie Mcclure.
TIA w. Mechanic St., Ottumwa. Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
Sister Brought Dog in a
Shoe Box.

Dear Juniors:
have colt. It's name is Daisy. 1t If
three years old.
/ have a dog. 1t Is white and brown
It's name is Dan. He was q little dos
when we got him. My sister brought
him from Ottumwa. She had him in a
shoe box. She brought him in and told
me to open the box and when ! opened
it he scared me, and they had the
laugh on me-
Wirlie Kelley, age 10,
Udell, Iowa,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
CECIL VISITS oTTUMWA.

Dear Juniors:
AS this is my first letter to the Jun
Tor will tell you about my trip to Of
tumwa.
I went on the train.
NV sister Myrtle met me and went
out home with her. She lives by the
Des Moines river. I had fine time
while was there
was there about three months.
went out on the water eight times. AS
my letter Is getting long I will close.
Cecil Kelley, age ~,
:, Udell. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

/. Use one side of the paper only
Q. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
8. Always sign your name in full and
state your age. r..
1. Number your pages.
5. Do not copy stories or poetry and
send US as your own work.
6. Always state choice OF prize
on a 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, 1913-08-23
ABOUT PRIZES.

n the Courier Junior has ever
failed to send out prizes when the
winners names we're published we
want to be told about it right away.
We also want all Of our prizes &C.
knowledged. 4
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
ALWAYS WANT LETTERS.

Remember we always want good let.
tiers, newsy letters. The wrlters VIII
each receive post card.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
ANNOUNCE PRIZE WINNERS NEXT
WEEK.

We viii announce the prize winners
IN Acknowledgements Contest" next
week.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-23
THE COLLEEN BAWN ROCK.

sol San Jacinto St., Houston, Te1s