davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-23

For fine, early, yellow peach. put
half dozen Triumph trees In your
next nursery order.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-23

Oil exists in great quantities in
siam, but the methods of securing IL
are exceedingly crude The wells are
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-23

Honesty never looks better to
man than when 1t comes home to
roost.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-23

A sentimental girl is lost at we'd
ding without dainty handkerchief.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-23
Ha. In Grey SILK.

Grey silk is used for the hat shown
in the illustration. with its upturned
brim. A large bow of satin ribbon in
a beetles-wing shade form the trim
ming
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22

Dear Editor and Junior: AS I have
not written to you for long time l
will write a story about j. and /.
I hardly know who to write about.
Now there is my uncle John. He
lives at Batavia, Iowa. He Is my
Mammals brother-in-law. I like to go
to Uncle Johns. We children have
such good times there. ...,.. {.
Uncle John has girl named Ada
and a boy named Orville.
Uncle John owns harness shop.
They live across the railroad track
in Batavia Ada and Orville 60 to
school. .t
liza is my cousin. She is abount
three and half years old r
She lives on farm two and half
miles east of Abingdon.
I could not think of anybodys
name that began with l so | thought
would write about my cousin LA.
la does not go to school.
LA has one brother.
She is the oldest. vs..
Her birthday is December Is.
I can think of so much to write
but expect l had better close for |
am sure the editor has so many let
tiers to read that it gets tiresome.
Pearl Clark, age -.
Abingdon, Iowa
P. ST. would like to exchange
cards with some of the Juniors.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
The Skill of
a Mouse

One day naturalist lay motionless
on fallen log in the forest, and silent
ly watched an animal at play in the
grass nearby. This was large,
brown mouse-a meadow mouse, that
had come out from his home under the
log, and when tired of play, had sat
up to make his toilet. Using his fore;
paws as hands, the mouse combed the
white fur on his breast, and licked
himself smooth and sleek. Satisfied at
length with his appearance, he began
to search for food. ..4 .- ..
He did not have far to go, for few
stalks of wheat grew among the thick
weeds near at hand. The mouse was
SO large that he could probably have
bent the stalk down and brought the
grain within reach. If not, he could
certainly have climbed the stalk. He
did not try either of these plans, how
ever: for these were not his ways.
Sitting up very straight, he bit
through the stalk as high up as he
could reach. The weeds were SO thick
that the straw could not fall its full
length: and the freshly cut end set
tied down upon the ground, with the
straw still erect and the grain out OF
reach The mouse again bit the straw
in two, and again the upper portion
settled down. In this way he bit off
five lengths of straw before he could
bring the grain within reach of his
paws. These forepaws were very skill
full little hands; and he deftly husked
the grain and ate It, sitting erect and
holding it to his mouth as naturally as
a boy would hold an apple.-Our Ami
NAL Friends.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
TwoT ,hpsa ON
Easter Story

Two tulip bulbs dropped from the
old gardeners wheelbarrow as he
walked across the alley on his way to
the public square, where handsome
beds were being made for the spring.
He heard them tumble from the top
of his load, but he was too tired to
stop and pick them up. A few lost
bulbs would not matter when he had
hundreds.
"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" sighed the
tulips what an awful accident We
have fallen into dreary alley on a
dirt heap. Alas, we must die! How
could we live separated from all our
cousins, aunts and friends?"
"And I was so pretty!" moaned
Variegated.
II had the real gold COLOR an,
swered Yellow.
4. ooh, please do not die" begged the
poor Dirt-heap. 81 will do all l can to
make you both comfortable and warm
through the winter. A little way I'm.
der I am moist and soft. Try to sink
down a few inches, and fall asleep
You will be doing such kindness if
Tou will live, and let me care for you
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
JAN e.

I will write about my grandmother,
whose name Is Jane. She was born
and raised in England.
She, her husband and their children
came to North America about the
year 1871. They were on water six.
teen days, and landed in Canada, visit
ed while with her brother, who lived
there, and then came down to the
United States.
They came through Chicago during
the great fire. The railroads were
burnt out so they rode across the city
in buses. a.- .....
They settled in Adams county, Iowa,
on farm, where my mother was born
and lived there about seven years.
From Adams county they moved to
Adair county, Iowa, where my grand.
father died. After his death they
moved to Creston, Iowa, where they
lived two or three years. Then they
moved to Ottumwa, where they lived
for several years.
Her home is now in La Grange, ILL.,,
where she moved about year ago.
She has been back on two visits.
On the last one she came before
Christmas and stayed until the mid
die of February. She brought my
babe brother a little white sweater
and presents for the rest of us. The
babe missed her when she went home
because she took care of him SO much.
She has four sons and three daugh-
tiers. also two stepdaughters, but they
are both dead.
She had a brother who was a sailor
and used to take presents to her from
foreign countries.
Ruth Perkins, age IL.
O+tunowa iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
JOSEPH MlLLISACk.

Dear Editor Junior:
I thought l would write letter in
the alphabet contest. l will write
about my papa. He was 48 years OF
age the 25th day Of December
He is twin brother to my Aunt
Addie. His name is Joseph Millisack.
They call him, Joe for short He was
named after his uncle. He had acct
dents happen when he was little boy.
He was married fourteen years the
10Th Of last October.
He has two children-Thomas.
years old, and myself, - years old.
He was born ten miles east Of here
on farm in Wapello county.
Papa has one sister and one brother.
His sister lives at 1877 North Mclean
street, and his brother lives in Du-
point, Wash. Pape is very kind to US
children.
Elizabeth Milisack. age II.
I 719 West Main street, Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22

till this pretty balloon came to keel
me company. I was afraid it would
fly away where I couldn't catch 1t, sc
l tied a string to it. l got it out OF
mammals workbox She always lets
me have the pink strings, cause they'1
so pretty. Don't you want to fly my
balloon?" she asked, her face dimpling
with smiles. You may, if you'll be
very careful and not let go OF the
string"
The boys looked queerly at each
other.
Thank YOU" Victor said at last;
"but We must go home. 1t is nearly
dinner-time. ~.
"Besides," added Festus, wed rather
see you fly it." a@
isn't it pretty?" asked the child, as
the boys eyed the parachute.
ut is the prettiest one l ever saw"
said Victor CALAMITY. 81 j. -a
The very prettiest!' said Festus.
Come again some day invited the
little one, scourteous1y, as her callers
moved down the street. Victor glanced
at his brother.
"You don't care if didn't ask her
for it. do you?" he questioned.
Course. | don't! I'd care if you had!
Wasn't she happy over it? And isn't
she the sweetest little girl? Why, I'm
most glad it flew away"
And the surprising answer from Vic
tor was, Som I.'-Emma C. Dowd, IN
Youths Companion.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
cLARA'S RELATIONS.

Dear Editor:-I thought l would Try
and write a story on the letter con
test. am little girl nine years DID,
I am a very lucky little girl for my
mammals and papa's names begin with
, "I'' and a."
NV mammals name is Isabella ROD
erts. She was born near Batavia on
February 5, 1872. She has been mar
ried eighteen years. She has eight
children. Their names are Elizabeth
Charles, Helen, Rosa Clara, joseph,
Hugh and James My mamma has
black hair and brown eyes. she Is
five feet, eight inches tall and weighs
200 pounds. She, is very good to me.
My papa's name is John. he was
born in Illinois. He is as years OLD:
He has brown hair and blue eyes ana
is five feet, five inches in height. his
full name is John Michael Roberts. tie
lives on a farm near Bladensburg, Ia.
I have a brother whose name Is joseph
He has brown hair and gray eyes. lie
is seven years old. l have another
brother W. ose name is James. he mas
light hair and blue eyes and is rat ana
chubby He is four year old. he
has a dog for a pet. His name is Tip.
have two cousins. Their names are
Irene Muldoon. One Of them lives at
Chillicothe. Iowa, and the other one
at Bladensburg The one that lives
at Chillicothe has golden hair and
light blue eyes. She is my mamma
brothers little girl | don't see her
very often. The other Irene h&H
brown curly hair and large blue eyes.
She is as pretty as a peach. She mas
little brother two weeks old. They
haven't named him yet. l also have
two aunts whose names commence
with a." One of their names is Julia
and the other Jane. Julia's name is
Julia Muldoon. She lives at home with
her mother She has auburn hair ana
blue eyes. James name is Jane MID
dleton. She has brown hair and blue
eyes.
I will close as I haven't any more
relation whose names begins with r.
or 81" | think I am pretty we'll on
with "I' and j." -r
Clara Roberts, Age 9.
Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
MERINDA PLANS VACATION TRIP.

Nellie Stuart: 49,. .@ vs..
Dear Junior Friend:-I received the
card that you sent me- was glad to
get it and l thought it was very pref
tv. ..,. ..#.l s...
I am going to send you one.
I like to get post cards from others
and like to send them some back. I
have eighty post cards that the schol-
ars gave me at school.
/ go to school every day. have only
missed five days this term. wouldn't
have missed them but was sick. We
had no program at school this year.
Our school will be out the 10th Of May.
Then 1 am going to go to Mt. Zion on
visit to see my little nieces and my
little nephew. Their names are Helen,
May William, Jimmie Louise William
and Sylvia Ellen William. Helen is 4
years old. Jimmie is years old. Sylvia
will be year old the last day Of March.
AS my letter is getting long will
close.
l would like to hear from you and
some other little Juniors. @,
Ella Merfnda Hobbs. ~.
Riverview Station. Box 80,
~ Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
lREN e,
Dear Editor and Juniors:

Dear Editor and Juniors:
AS have never written before am
going to join in your contest and
write about my cousin, Irene Swanson.
She is small girl about eleven
years old She is light complexioned
and has blue eyes and rather light
hair. She is about three feet tall and
weighs about sixty-six pounds. She has
one sister and four brothers who are
great company to her as she lives
on farm. ..- g..
went to visit her last summer and
she came home with me. She has a
kind disposition and can get along
with most any person. She likes music
and took lessons all last summer. Now
she can play well.
AS my letter is getting long I will
close. hoping to see my letter in print.
Your Junior friend,
Marguerite HILL
1925 Boone avenue, Ottumwa, Iowa.
P. s. would like to exchange post
cards with the Junior friends.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22

until the spring. I have always longed
to be garden earth. 1t will cheer me
through the long winter to hold such
a lovely secret. All, how happy.
shall be when two beautiful flowers
bloom on my breast perhaps on
Easter Sunday! Do not die, but live
only live"
IF we can be Of any use, even IN
must live" replied Yellow.
"And bloom" Variegated whisper
ed. So they both sank down into the
yielding earth, composing themselves
for months of quiet sleep. The Dirt
heap was filled with thankfulness;
and she rejoiced that, even in a small
way, she was now garden earth.
At last winter came, with bowling
winds, snow, sleet and ice. No green
thing showed it's face to the sky. The
ground hardened like iron. For weeks
the dirt-heap lay mound Of snow
white and chill. So much ice piled
itself in the alley that only the milk
man Ben ventured through it's mar
row limits.
But the bulbs knew nothing of all
this. They lay warm and snug in the
dirtheap, dreaming of spring and the
happy hour of blooming. After many
weeks came Easter Sunday.
Early in the morning of that bless
ed day, Ben, the milkman, to make a
short cut home, turned his horse and
wagon into the narrow alley. When
he reached the dirt-heap, he pulled up
in surprise, for there, in all their first
beauty, doomed two tulips, one OF
gold color, the other variegated. They
seemed to be looking right up in the
sky, the dreary alley forgotten. Warm
sunlight fell about them, and soft,
rich earth held them secure.
"Well, we'll, WE'LL" Ben mused
''this is pretty sight, and takes me
back to my boy days on the old farm
will take these flowers home to my
wife Sally as an Easter gift, and I'll
bet she will show them to baby the
first thing" So he gathered the tulips
with a generous handful of earth
round each bulb. Then he looked
down upon the old dirt-heap and
spoke aloud his thoughts.
I'll bring my wheelbarrow over In
the morning and haul this dirt to
Sally. She will spread it all over her
flower beds; it's fine, rich SOIL"
Garden earth at last! Oh. how
glad l ami" rejoiced the Dirt-heap.
SISTER laughed Variegated, I'VE
ere going to be an Easter gift. Only
think. an Easter gift"
Yellow nodded her pretty head of
gold, and whispered "A Gear little
baby is to look at us the first thing
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
Stories and Letters.
JESSIE MILLER.

One day when Mrs. Gray, kind
lady was sewing, she heard a knock
at the door. When she reached the
door she saw a ragged little girl out
side. AS Mrs. Gray was very kind she
brought the little girl in the house.
The wind was blowing very hard,
and the little girl looked nearly frozen.
After she had warmed herself Mrs.
Gray prepared her something to eat,
as she looked very hungry. Then Mrs.
Gray took her in the sitting room.
Mrs. Gray then ask her name, and
she answered saying that her name
was Jessie Miller and that she had no
mother She also said she saw large
smoke coming from Mrs. Gray's chin
ney, so she looked in the window and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
lRENA.

Dear Juniors: AS I have never
written to the Courier Junior before
I thought | would write, and write
about myself. AS my name begins
with |.
My name, is Irena.
I have light hair and blue eyes
and am ten years Old
I have one brother older than J..
He is IL years old. I have four sis
tiers younger. a.- ... ~
We live in the country near Nugent
and go to school at Lake Erie school.
MY teachers name is Miss Phoebe
McVey. ....
I like to go to school. .-.'
am in the fifth grade.
We are having vacation now.
Our spring term begins the first
Monday in April. 49," g.
l have one mile to go to school,
Irena Smith,
Route g. Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
"k" and a."

This week the writer's in the name
contest can tell us about some per-
sons whose names commence with
"K' or e." +a
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 writer's
can select their prizes from among
the following articles:
A picture, book, box of candy, mu-
sic roll, pocket knife, work box, doll
or roller skates
If the Juniors fail to understand
just what name contest means all
they have to do is to read some of
the stories in today's Junior.
We certainly have some wonder
fully interesting stories today. In
fact. so many that the judges have
had very hard time to make de-
cision. They insist that prizes must
be awarded to Clara Roberts and
Ruth Perkins, III
We viii run the stories in the ad-
vertising contest next week.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
JUNE WATKINS.

AS haven't written for long time
I thought I would write on the letter
J. as that is the beginning OF my
name. . ..#,
Fam 10 years old. and am 5 feet
tall. and have dark, hair, brown eyes
and brown hair. .... '-,.U
20 to school and am in the eighth
grade. Ny teachers name is Miss
Hamilton. ....... :H
live on a farm about seven miles
from Abba. My play mates at school
are Mabel Barnhill Edith Thornton
and Faye Grimes.
Well as my letter is getting long |
will close. .@@ A..
would like to correspond with some
of the Juniors.
......- June Watkins.
Abba. Iowa Route No. 6.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
IDA.

Dear Juniors:-I will write about
Ida.
Ida was five years old in February
She was on her way to school one day
She was going past Mrs Kimballs
residence when Mrs. Kilnrall said,
"Would you like to have kitten Ida ~
Ida smiled and answered. "Yes'm I"
"Mr. Green wanted it. but if he
doesn't want it, you may have it."
Ida asked if she might take it at
noon and ask him. Mrs Kimball said
Yes Ida took the kitten up kindly
and carried it way. ~
Mr.. Green said he had kitten all
ready. Ida left the store wSh happy
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22

face. She looked at the clock which
said five minutes till g. What would
she do with kitty? She could not
carry it home and she could not leave
it in the street. So she carried kitty
to school,
The teacher shut kitty up in the
cloak room After while one of the
girls went for pencil and came back
with the news that kitty was gone.
Ida was very sad. Maybe he jump
ed out of the window and went home.
I think he is too little to go home"
added Ida.
Then the bell rang and the girls and
boys walked slowly through the cloak
room In 2 moment one of the girls
ran to the teacher saying, here's the
kitten in my, hat" Her hat hung on
the highest nail And kitty was sleep
ing while everybody was looking for
him. ,..,.t ..
Gladys Sickels, Age 10.
I'll South Miner St., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
HELEN'S FIRST LETTER.

Dear Juniors:
This is my first letter to the Junior
page. / am going to tell about my
cousin Irene McCreary. She lives in
Nescopick, Penn. She is a big girl
She is twelve years old. She saw me
when / was little, girl. She has a
big doll. She is a nice big girl.
like to send her post cards. She
sends me post cards, too.
like to go to school. I go to the
Irving school. am in the fifth room.
My teachers name is Miss Wendell.
l like her fine. My music teachers
name is Mrs. Harrison. My drawing
teachers name is Miss MacDougal
Helen Nord, Age 10.
West Chester Ave-, Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
MEDICINE LODGE, MAYCEL'S
SCHOOL. @..

Dear Courier Junior: .>
AS have never written to the Cour-
Ter Junior before 7 thought would
write a letter and tell about our school.
It is the Medicine Lodge public school.
It is large brick school house and
has a room for every grade I am in the
fifth grade. There are twenty five
scholars in my room. My teachers
name is Miss Gibson. like her fine. :
used to go to the Derby school.
Maycel Cook, age II.
Medicine Lodge, Kans, Box 1877.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
Pink Parachute

Aunt Sarah fastened the last bit o
pink silk thread to the square OF plnl
tissue paper, deftly l1notted the foul
ends together, attached little weight
to keep it steady, and then held i
aloft.. There was a stiff breeze; and
as she let it 20, it floated gayly across
the yard. Victor and Festus sprane
after it.; but, as Victors legs were the
longer, he reached the spot where the
parachute fluttered to the ground just
an instant before Festus came up.
Its lovely!'' he shouted back to
Aunt Sarah, as he held 1t at arms
length. -
His aunt smiled, and went indoors
while Victor let the parachute go on
it's second voyage.
81 want to fly 1t next time said
Festus.
'tNo, you are too little" answered
Victor, disentangling the silk threads
But Festus sent it off; and up, up
it went over the apple-tree. u.
ooh, dear!'. fretted Victor, nov
you've made it go right where it'll
be spoiled" e.. a.. ..
They watched it breathlessly, for
those gnarled branches had proved the
ruin of more than one such toy. But
it sailed along lazily till it was beyond
the tree, and on and on, over the ad'
Joining yard. The boys climbed the
fence, but the parachute did not come
down.
at is going into that elm!' cried
Victor. But no: it skirted the branches
safely, and the children drew a breath
Of relief.
Don't you s'pose it'll ever come
DOWN." asked Festus, sadly.
Course, twill. There, now it's 60
ing to catch on that telegraph wire!
No, it's got past"
It went on and on, over houses and
trees. At last, after several minutes,
it seemed to 60 down far ahead, two
streets away.
Victor sighed. "Well never find
it," he said. "That pretty pink para
chute!'
"Perhaps we can," was the hopeful
rejGnder. "Come, let's ask mamma If
we can go over on Salina street" Hav-
ing obtained the desired permission,
away they sped.
''What'll you do if a boys found it,"
queried Festus.
Make him give it up, Of course! It's
ours
Eyes, if it's little boy" reasoned
Festus. "But what if it's big boy?"
"You don't suppose I'm afraid Of a
big boy, do you If he won't give it
to me, I'll fight him! I'm not going to
let anybody trample on my rights!'
But the way to the parachute was
much farther than they had dreamed.
Indeed, they were about to give up the
search, when Festus spied something
pink between the trees. Then mo-
ment's walk brought them to a plain
little house, in front of which was a
small girl running up and down. She
held a string attached to a pink para
chute!
cts ours!' whispered Festus, ex-
citedly.
When the child saw them. she
smiled.
Isn't my new balloon nice?" she
asked. at flew right down from the
sky a few minutes ago! I think OF
came from one Of the stars! Mamma'll
tell me when she gets home. She has
gone downtown, and l was so lonesome
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
rHE COURIER JUNIOR,
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.,
OTTUMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA DEvEREAuX
EDITOR.
A PICTURE STORY.

Dear Juniors: We want all the
Juniors to write about the little child
rem whose pictures adorn this page
today. They are all relatives Of Pres
ident Wilson and have been visiting
at the white house. They came there
with the president and his family. OF
course If the Juniors have not read
anything about these dear little child
rem. they can look at the picture and
write a pretty little story anyway.
This contest will open. today and
close Monday, March 81. Each writer
can select his or her own prize.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22

I thought would write about. my
cousin. Blaine Johnson.
He has curly, black hair and blue
eyes.
He is just beginning to say few
words.
Whenever my cousin CHS brother)
and I try to look at any books or
papers he always wants them.
One day when we were looking at
a paper which we had put on the floor
he got on it so that we couldn't read.
Gwenlyn Lemley, age 9.
Richland, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-22
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

|. Use one side Of the paper only
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or a sharp lead pencil.
3.sAlways sign, your name in full
and state your age. ' s="t .|.s.
4. Number your pages. ..a ..
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.