davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
The T,uo Seeds

The fruit-laden winds of the autumn
blew
And two small seeds in garden threw,
Then buried them deep on the hfeiess
with all the dead leaves and stems to
be found.
Then the hoarfrost came, and the sleet
and snow,
And over the garden did reveling go;
leaf bed
Until the winter was up and fed.
And then they sprang forth in the
morning light,
And drank their fill from the tears Of
night,
Till their young leaves swelled with
the breath of spring
AS it filled the world in it's wander
ing.
one of them grew, made rich with the
dover
And promise Of being perfect flower,
Enjoying the blessings 1t each day
won.
From the gentle rain and the patient
sun.
Not a soul ever passed the flower by
But felt the JOY of It's presence nigh.
And the bees that lodged on Its slen-
der lips. !
Grew sweet with the dew from it's love-
~ lips.
But there entered the garden a hand
one day,
And plucked the blossoms and bore
them away
To cheer with the beauty and sweet OF
their bloom
The lonely hours of a sick child's
room.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
Stories About People.
Darrell JOHN.

Dear Juniors:
AS l have never written you be-
fore, will write and tell you about
my little baby brother.
His name is Darrell John. He is
nineteen months old. He is very cute.
He has blue eyes, light hair. He Is
very fair and has rosy cheeks. He
likes to be out of doors nearly all the
time.
He has so many cute little ways. |
will tell you about some Of his little
tricks. When mamma gets the broom
to sweep he always runs to get the
dust pan and brings it to her and says
Here it is" .s.
He loves the violin. My papa has a
violin and Darrell John will beg, and
even cry, sometimes, to play on it..
q. There were protracted meetings at
the church this winter and he went
some times, and ever since that he
gets the songbook and just stands up
and sings to beat anything, and then
he lays the songbook down and goes
to preaching. He just talks at the top
of his voice and waves his hands In
the air and stamps his foot on the
floor.
Now don't you think he is pretty
cute for one Of that age? I do.
Well, that will be all for this time.
From your little friend,
Evelyn Turner, aged 10.
Richland, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
A CLEVER PARROT.

Having occasion recently to pass
over the Vermont Central railroad.
fell in with very clever parrot. A
lady occupied a seat nearly opposite
the one in which l sat, and the parrot
was in a cage in a seat which was
turned to face hers. Suddenly the
bird called out, polly wants to go up
stairs His mistress said to him.
Polly want a cracker?" To our sur
prise, the bird answered, mo, no, no,
no." Pretty soon. having evidently
repented, the bird called out: Polly
wants cracker! Polly wants crack
er!" As there was no response to this,
he shouted again. bad boy, naughty
girl. bad boy, naughty GIRL" The
brakeman entered the car, and called,
in the tone which only brakeman can
possibly assume. Northampton.
Cooling his head on one side, the par
rot called in the SAME drawing tone,
Northampton" There was a gen.
eral laugh following this, when, to our
surprise, Polly doubled himself up and
laughed just as he people In the car
had done.
An old gentleman was present VINO
was seriously afflicted with q cough:
The parrot listened for some time, and
finally, after the gentleman had had a
50 ISM Of coughing, exactly repeated
tn, sound. In came the brakeman,
and called out, Change for Turner's
Falls The parrot at once repeated
the same After this outburst there
was a period Of silence on the part OF
the bird, and the car became quiet.
each one reading or busy with his
thoughts. Imagine the surprise Of the
people in the car when the parrot
called out, striking the first two notes
of long-metre doxology exactly,
"Praise Cod" The amusement and
surprise of the passengers were ex-
pressed in many loud laughs, which
Polly repeated at once.
When the lady alighted at Green
field she asked the brakeman whom
r~''- bad initiated so many times II
he would kindly assist her in getting
off the train. He replied: II will take
everything you have off but the parrot.
7 will not touch him" He seemed
to feel that there was something un-
canny about the bird, and am not
sure but we all somewhat sympathized
with him. It was the brightest and
most clever parrot ever saw
Selected
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
The Lesson Bessie
Taught

81 Bessie must have wakened in the
morning with plan in her busy little
head for teaching certain members Of
the Newton family a lesson. The first
thing she did was to go into the H.
brary, and, finding on a chair a new
magazine that Harry had left there.
she pulled of a cover. "There!"
thought she,. "I'll teach Harry not to
leave so valuable thing as a book
where it doesn't belong"
Then she went into the boys room,
and finding a borrowed book out of
place, she remarked to herself: "This
will never do. A borrowed book should
always be carefully put away; and,
besides, do not believe in borrowing,
especially when q boy has as many
books OF his own as Willie has. III
Just destroy this one, to teach Master
Willie a lesson" So she soon de-
faced it's pretty, bright cover badly.
Next she visited Majory's room; and,
finding more dust on the floor than
should have been there, she evidently
thought Of the saying, "Dirt is mis-
placed matter" and gave Marjory a
gentle hint by tipping the contents
OF the scrap basket out upon the floor.
Xhep she went into the sitting room !;
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01

ten? No. A rabbit? No. A. she began to
take the papers from the cage Mr..
Jones let her see 1t. "Oh, what beau
tiful little pig" she cried She took the
pig up stairs and washed 1t, then she
put some powder on it and tied pref
ty pink ribbon around its neck and one
on its tail. Mr.. Jones came into the
house and said II will 60 and get a
livery team and we will ride out into
the country for little ways" So he
went up town and came back with a
livery team. So they got ready and put
a little box in front Of them and set the
pig on the box. He sat up there as II to
say, these are my folks sitting behind
me. They drove out into the country
about a mile. When they came to big
bridge and on one side of the bridge
there were some other pigs enjoying
themselves in the mud and water The
little pig looked as If he wanted to see.
So Mr.. and Mrs. Jones stopped on the
bridge pretty close to the side OF 1t,
when the pig fell into the mud with the
other pigs and that was the last OF poor
piggie.
Cleva May Killen, age II,
Floris Iowa. r. No. l.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
THE COURIER JUNIOR
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.,
oTTUMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA 0EVEREAUx,
EDITOR.
"Er AND "F" THIS WEEK.

Dear Juniors:
All the judges are so very much in
terested in the name contest that we
have decided to use two initials for
this weeks contest.
The writer's this time can tell US
about some persons whose names COM
mence either, with 'E" or e.
We expect to run the name contest
every week until we reach the end
Of the alphabet. We want all the
Juniors to- write in this contest. The
writers can select their prizes from
among the following articles:
A picture, book, music roll, souvenir
spoon, pocket knife, work box, or
skates. $50.
Next week we will announce Off.
ferent kind Of a contest, too. We hope
all the Juniors will read about the
Taintor boy who puts 500 in the bank
each year.
Evelyn Turner gets last weeks
prize for her splendid story about OAR
rel John.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

George Washington was born Feb
ruarv %, 1892 in Virginia and after
they moved to Fredericksburg where
he went to school and at school he al
ways was trying to teach the other
boys to be soldiers and they used 10
play soldier and have sham battles
When the revolutionary war was
fought George Washington was the
general After the war he was elected
president Of this country He was the
first president of the United States. He
was elected president for two terms
and the people wanted to elect him
again, but he would not be president
for three terms. He took sick and died
in 1899 and he was buried at Mount
Vernon near the Potomac river. he
was one Of the greatest men that ever
lived and he never will be forgotten as
long as the United States exists.
Agnes Larkin, age IL,
Chillicothe, Ia. r. 1, Box IS.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

John Quincy Adams was born In
Massachusetts on the 18th day of July,
1857.
He studied at the University of Ley
den, in Holland. and when he was
only IA years of age he was private
secretary to the United States min
lister to Russia. He graduated at Har-
ward college in 1888 and then he be-
gan studying law. When he was q
years old he was minister to Holland
and afterwards to Russia. He was
United States senator, one of the COM
missioners who negotiated the treaty
Of Client in 1914. then he was a min
lister to Great Gritain. He was secre-
tary of state for eight years. He was
president from 1922 to 1929. From
1921 to 184S he was a member OF the
house Of representatives. He was
active in support Of the right of petit
ton and of antt-slavery. He died IN
the capitol February %. 1S4S. He
was very old man, being 81 years
Of age. Mamie renee.
Floris, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
DORA.

Dear Editor and Juniors: I thought
l would join the name contest and
write about little girl named Dora.
Dora was little girl six years
old who had no brothers or sisters.
She had blue eyes and curly yellow
hair and was light complexioned.
Dora was a kind and good little
girl. She was kind to all of her
friends.
She went to school every day.
She was kind to all Of her school
mates and they all liked her.
One day Dora got sick and could
not go to school. She was sick for
about two weeks. Her schoolmates all
missed her at school.
While she was sick her friends all
sent her pretty flowers and post
cards.
Dora was glad to get them.
She soon got we'll and went back to
school again.
From a Junior friend,
Minnie Huffman, age 13.
Route 3, Floris, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
ELBERT's KINDNESS.

This is my first letter and am 60
ing to tell you a story of my own
1t is as follows:
There once lived in Virginia young
man about 20 years Of age He was
tall. slim, had dark eyes and dark
hair. ...
One day as he and one of his friends
We're going along the street they came
to a very small house and on the
porch they saw little girl, about Z
years old, leaning against the door
crying. Ebert Thompson. for that
was his name, stopped and asked her
what was the matter. She said that
she was to have gone to her grandma's
on the train and the drayman had not
come after her trunk and she had no
place to stay all night.
Ebert stopped down and picked UP
the trunk and carried It on his
shoulder to the station-and the little
girl got to her grandma's after all.
When Ebert got home he told his
mother about his adventures and she
said that he had done the right thing.
Dorothy Louise Broadwell, age II.
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
MRS. JONES AND HER PET PIG.

Once upon a time there lived in the
little town of Littleburg a wife and
husband, called Mr.. and Mrs. Jones.
Mrs. Jones was very fond Of pets for
she had many in her home. So one day
Mr. Jones was up town. He was pa S.
ing along a meat market when man
called him in and said Mr.. Jones, I
have little pig here I would like to
sell vou." SO the owner showed him a
beautiful little white pig. Mr.. Jones
thought that would be nice pet for
Mrs. Jones, so he bought cage for
it. put the pig in the cage and he put
the papers on the inside Of the cage so
Mrs. Jones couldn't see the pig.
He took the pig home to her and said,
Guess what is in this cage. If you do
you can have it. So she guessed a kit
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01

and, finding Alice's hat on a little work
stand, she thought. Another thing out
of place, another lesson to be taught"
So she pulled out the feather, leaving
hat and trimmings on the floor.
When all was done, she cuddled up
on the lounge, we'll satisfied with her
mornings work. At the dinner table
four members of the family looked as
though each wished some one else
would speak first. Finally, mamma
said:
II see Bessie has been trying to
teach MS again"
Four voices answered family, Eyes.
"She certainly has taught us once
more that there should be a place for
everything, and everything should be
in its place" said papa.
Including Bessie herself" added
mamma.
And Bessie? Well, Bessie was six.
months old puppy, with innocent soft
brown eyes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
LELAH'S AUNT DORTHY.

I thought I would write about my
Aunt Dorothy She has light hair and
blue eyes. She lives in Chicago. She
is q very nice aunt.
I always like to go there because
have good time.
Aunt Dorothy does not live close to
us so I do not get to visit her often.
One winter I stayed at her home
and went to school. had very nice
time.
I think I shall stay there this sum-
mer and go to school.
She used to be a school teacher so
she helped me with my lessons. She
does not teach any more.
She lives in a large red house. My
uncle and aunt have an automobile.
She took me for a ride in the city
which I enjoyed very much.
Well will close, hoping to see my
letter in print.
Lelah Baker. age IL.
912 North Ash street, Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
DANIEL WEBSTER.

Dear Juniors: I will write a long
letter about a good man whose name
commences with D. His name is Dan.
iel Webster. He was born January
10, 1882.
When he was boy he was kind
and obedient to his parents.
He was fond of books and OF his
school.
He was always at the head Of his
class. He surprised many of his
teachers with the talent he had. +
When he became man he became
a great worker for the good of his
country. His influence was felt far
and near.
He died October "a, 1852.
Irene Walters, age 8.
Foster, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
LEONA'S PAPA HAS TAKEN COUR-
TER FOR FIVE YEARS.

Dear Juniors:
AS have not written for quite long
while I will write.
I go to the Gray's Creek school.
Ny teachers name is Miss Ollie.
There are twelve pupils going to
school.
] have a brother and a sister.
My brother is two years old and my
sister is seven years old l have eight
studies. They are reading, writing.
spelling, arithmetic, language, writing,
drawing and music.
l am in the fourth reader.
For Christmas / got doll head, some
candy, a box Of paints, a box of stencil
designs. wash tub and wash board
and a pair Of mittens and a story book.
NV papa has taken the Ottumwa
Courier for about five years.
I.eona Roberts, age 9,
Eddyville, Ia, r. No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
rAlN1oR BOY PUTS 500 IN BANK
EVERY YEAR.

Dear Editor:--I saw in the New
Sharon Star that you wanted the boys
in New Sharon and vicinity to write
you letter, so as live five miles west
of New Sharon l concluded to do it.
I live on a farm. My father is
renter and rents 100 acres
l have plowed corn for three years
and am eleven years old now.
l have used every piece of machin.
cry on our farm. a.
put about 500 in the bank each
year.
When / was seven years old drew
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
BATAVIA JUNIOR HAS MOVED TO
CLAY CENTER.

Dear Editor and Juniors:-I will
now write a letter to the Junior page
once more To let the editor and Jun
iors know I have not forgotten them.
We have moved from Batavia, Ia,
to Clay Center, Neb. Papa started
from Bernhard, Ia, the 2Sth Of jan
uary with the car. My sister Ruby and
started from Batavia, a., Jan. 20.
We had quite a pleasant ride on
the cars. have started to school and
like the country fine. My friends are
Mildred Lunn, Ruth Silicon and Bessie
Hughes. -s
My teachers name is Miss Gather
inc Linn There are about 400 pupils
at our school here. t
I would like to exchange cards with
some of the Juniors.
Daphen o. Wilson, Age H..
Clay Center, Neb.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
FAL HAD A BIRTHDAY POSTCARD
SHOWER.

Dear Editor and Juniors:
thought I would try and write a
few lines this week.
The eighth of this month was my
birthday Mamma had a postcard sur
prise and I got twenty-eight postcards.
was at a surprise party Saturday
night. There were fifty there. They
had oysters and music and all had a
good time.
go to school every day, and am
in the sixth grade.
live so close to school that it only
takes two minutes to walk it.
MY teachers name is Miss Helen
Newman. I like her just fine.
received the post card you sent
me and many thanks for 1t.
Well, as my letter is getting long, !
will close.
Fay McReynolds, aged Is.
Hedrick. Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
ELsIE's AUNT BESSIE.
Dear Juniors.

Dear Juniors
thought I would join the letter con-
test. I will begin with the letter b.
I will write about my Aunt Bessie
She is about feet inches. is slender
and weighs about 1875 pounds. She mas
dark brown hair and hazel eyes. IKE
her very much for she took care or me
when I was a baby.
She lives in Clearfield. She married
veterinarian. She has two children
Ardath and Helen.
Aunt Bessie's mamma died when she
was only six months old and her faith
er when she was about three years old.
She is mammals sister and she stayed
with mamma some when mamma was
teaching school. She lived about three
years in the Soldiers Orphans home.
When mamma was married she came
to live with us. I think she was seven
or eight years old. She taught several
terms of school before she got married.
go to see her once in while and nave
a good time.
Elsie f. Smith, age 10,
Mystic, Ia, r. No. =.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
NY BROTHER DAN.

Dear Editor:-I thought I would
write story about my brother Dan.
He has dark hair and blue eyes.
He was born in Lucas, Iowa. When
he was small he was very sickly and
small.
He is young man now and weighs
about 10 pounds.
But he has come three times in five
years. He lives about 400 miles from
us. He is always good to us on
Christmas and sends us something
nice.
l 20 to the school that he did when
he was small. He has three brothers
and two sisters.
Anna Palfreyman.
Lucas, Iowa, Route No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
DOROTHY ATKINSON.

Dear Juniors:-I thought 1 would
write about one of my playmates. Her
name is Dorothy Atkinson. She is II
years old. She has blue eyes and
dark hair. She has one sister and
three brothers.
Her sisters name is Lucille and her
three brothers names are John, Rich
ard and Herold. She has donkey
and a little buggy. She used to take
me ride and she had an awful hard
time to make him go.
She Is in the fourth grade at school.
She lives in Truro, Iowa. She has a
good many friends.
Lucille Scott, Age 8.
544 Hamilton St., Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01

check for 500 on the Citizens
State bank in New Sharon.
l have two horses and three head of
cattle.
I sold my hogs about week ago
and put $3.50 In the bank.
have two brood sows. They are
as black as coal.
60 to school every day. | 60 to
the Success school, district No. 8.
go to school all the time If I am
not sick.
I live one mile and half from
school. There are twenty-six pupils
at my school.
I have no brothers or sisters to go
with me.
Carl Farr, Age IL.
Taintor, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
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 so by writing on one of the follow
inc subjects, or by writing an interest
Ing letter:
ireland.
st. Patrick.
MY Best Friend.
How Saved $500.
What | viii Do When Grow Up.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
JOHN HAS A FLOCK OF PIGEONS

Dear Juniors:
am little boy eight years Old,
My papa takes the Daily Courier and
1 enjoy reading the Junior page.
go to Elm Grove school.
do not like to 60 to school very
we'll.
My teachers name was Myrtle
Erbacher.
Some of my playmates are Buzz
Nauterour, Clarence and John Coyne.
Our school was out January 81.
It will begin March "a.
have about mile to go to school.
I am in the second reader
I have never received card from
the Junior, and I would like to get
one.
have 100 postal cards.
We have got flock of pigeons that
stays around the barn.
/ will close, hoping to see my letter
in print.
A new Junior,
John Larkin. aged S.
Chil1icOthe. Ia, r. F. D. No. 1.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01

1. Use one side o. the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or a sharp lead pencil.
8. Always sign your name in full and
state your age.
4. Number your pages.
Do not copy stories or poetry and
send us as your own work.
6. Always state choice Of prize on
3, separate piece 0. paper, with name
ind address in full.
Z. Address the envelope to Editor
Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
ANNA IRELAN.

Anna is nv school mate. She lives
about a mile southeast Of us.
Anna and I 60 to the Button town
ship school. She Is In all OF my classes
except history.
Anna has brown eyes and hair. Her
birthday is the 4th Of December: She
WILL be IA years old her next birthday.
Anna and l play together at school.
Lorrain Burdett,
Drakesville, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
"EDlTH."

Dear Editor: thought would
write a story about my friend Edith.
She is a girl about II years old,
with brown hair and blue eyes.
She is a kind girl.
She is in the fifth grade.N
She has four sisters. Their names
are Orpha, Cleo, Glendine and Luella.
Her brothers. name is Ray. They all
go to school but Ray and Glendine
Irene Falvey, age IL.
Abba, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
GLENN ALMOST READY FOR THE
FIRST READER.

Dear Editor and Juniors:
/ am a little boy six years old. I
live In the country.
I 20 to school every day.
MY teachers name is Miss Helen
Newman. + like her just fine.
have gone through my primer since
Xmas and am half through it again.
When I get through this time l will
be ready for the First Reader.
For pets I have a dog. His name IL
Shep.
I had my mamma write this for
me. If see this in print, will write
again.
Your little friend.
Glenn McReynolds.
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
JENNIE LIKES TO PLAY.

Dear Juniors:
This is my second letter to the Cour-
Ter Junior l am little girl years old.
went to school until 1t got so cold.
I will go again in the spring.
I like to go to school.
l study my lessons at home.
I have a good kind teacher l have
time to play with my dolly.
would like to hear from some of the
little Juniors.
Jennie Turn Hobbs,
Ottumwa, Iowa,
Riverview Station, Box No. 49,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-01
GERTRUDE, A NEW JUNIOR, LIKES
MUTT AND JEFF.

Dear Courier Juniors:-I will write
you a letter. As this is my first let
ter I have written to the Juniors.
My papa takes the Ottumwa Cour-
Ter and I like to read the Juniors
page.
I would like to hear from some Of
the Juniors.
Well, as this is my first time have
written to the Juniors, will close.
Gertrude Gail Jameson, Age Z
Stockport, Ia, r. F. D. No. 2.