Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-28
Did Not Live in Big City
When Little-Emma Gieg


ruary %, 1882, and died at Mount Yer
mont, December IA, 1893.
Would like to hear something about
George Washington. When he was
little boy he did not live in big city
as we do. At that time there were no
big cities in our country. There were
only towns and villages, and a great
many farm houses.
George Washington lived with his
sister and his brother. They seldom
had any friend visit them for there
were no steamboats, or railroads IN
that time.
People who went visiting had to go
on horse back. through dark wood, or
in Sailboats in the river.
The children were never lonely.
though for they had many animal
friends who made the best kind Of
playfellows.
George had little pony, his name
was Hero, which he loved best Of all
his pets. He played out of doors a
great deal. and grew large and strong.
He could run faster and jump higher
and throw a stone farther than any
other boy
He went to a little school where he
learned to read. and to write and OF
do arithmetic. Some Of the letters he
wrote when little boy are still kept.
Then he talked ABOUT his pony, picture
book, with elephant.
The school boys liked to play soldier
and they always chose George as a
commander.
One morning he and his father were
walking in the garden.
Mr. Washington took his cane and
wrote Georges name in the soft earth.
Then he dropped little seed in each let
ter.
He told George to walt a few days.
and see what would happen and you
can imagine how pleased the little fell
low was when he saw his name, IN
pretty green leaves.
2 George loved his mother very dearly
and always tried to do what he knew
would please her. Once he did some
thing which made her feel bad.
She had a youn colt Of which she
was very proud.
He was so fierce that no one could
ride him. One morning George and
HIS DTOtileI were OuI III tuc lCiA "hSi y
the colt was playing.
Now George was not afraid Of any
thing in the world and when the boy
said this, he made up his mind to try
it. They got the colt in a corner Of
the field and put saddle and bit on
him.
George jumped upon his back. The
colt did not like it bit and reared and
plunged, trying to throw his young rid
err off,
George held on, at last the colt be-
came very angry.
He made great jump into the air.
Being in such temper he burst a
blood vessel He fell to the ground
dead. What shall we do?" said the
boys. George made no answer. with
frightened face he ran to his mother,
Mother, he said. Il have killed your
colt. And he sobbed out the story Just
as it had all happened.
For moment his mother. felt angry
Then smiling down on the sorrowful
face of her little boy. She said, ~
am sorry the colt is dead. But am
proud of my little son. Who is never
afraid to speak the truth
How happy his good wife Martha
was when he arrived home, His dog
Ringwood, and Vulcan and his horses
Valiant and YAK were we'll, with JOY
at the sight Of their beloved master.
Now thought they our master Will
take us for long gallons over the coun.
try. They were no however to have
many runs.
The people Of the United States soon
found they must have someone to take
care of them They asked George to
be the first president Of the United
States for eight years so George be-
come president.
Emma Gieg, Ottumwa
Route No. 1 Age Is