davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17

miles freEn Petersburg. Va, and four miles from the trolley cars.
 We live right near the river. go fishing and boating very often. caught two catfish and two silver perch last Monday. We have six head of team. We also have a little pony Her name is Snookums, and she runs so fast
 My brother has three rabbits,
 We have a COW and calf. We also have ducks and chickens. We have three cats and three dogs, We also have pigs and a goat. We live on a fine farm of five hundred and fifty acres
 I have two sisters and one brother.
 We have a. bird box right ill front of our porch. We live in a cottage.
 We haven't any 'neighbors close by, but have very much company.
 We have q very good crop in this year. It has been so dry we didn't put in as much as we expected to. We planted peanuts and corn. We have d nice garden.
 My brother is out in the field drag ging now.
 THELAIA VIRGINIA ROCK, Age II.
 Petersburg Virginia.
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17

interest, and thought they were strong CT than us in proportion to their size; for one ant can carry things nearly three times as large as his body without the least difficulty.
 As for the centipedes, they are in- sect eaters and crawled into the ants home, being attracted by their large numbers.
 Their purpose is to eat the hard working ants and probably they did eat some thc.S they did not have time to eat the rest.
 I saw just three centipedes about tllree inches long. They are said to grow up to ten inches. When they were discovered they ran in different directions. without hesitation. I hope that other Wide -Awakes will have a chance to watch the ants some day, and notice the big loads they carry. They're brave, sturdy, little workers. and not minute dc | they waste. They are examples for some men. An old proverb says; Co to the ant thou stuggard; con- sider her ways and be wise" MYRON ENGLAND. Norwich Town.
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
Master Tobin,s Trip Across the At

Master Tobin's Trip Across the At.
 Iantic.
 On July 18th at noon we started on our voyage on the Cedric across tie ocean. We passed the Goddess or Lap- erty and get a view Of New York, Brooklyn and the Jersey coast. In a short time we were out or sight or land.
 It was the largest body of water had ever seen. Our first days sal was very pleasant The weather was inc with light seas, and the chart regiS- tered 352 miles.
 The second day, the passengers get ting acquainted, it looked like one nap py family. We had made SS5 miles at , P. n.. lat. 5e.45. long. 4o.1o. We pass ed an Italian mail ship. It was q pleasant sight to all on board as 1t was the first ship we had seen.
 On Sunday we had services con- ducted by Father Conlan, a Deplinlean monk from Cato, West India Island, in the second cabin There were ser- cabin. The weather was moderate, with light seas. The chart showed we had made 397 miles.
 On Monday, in lat. 41.14, at i P. m, we passed a small sailing vessel At this time we had made 39s miles. The weather continued fine, with light seas.
 On Tuesday Dr. Voss of Philadelphia. got a number of ladies and gentlemen together and formed 8 committee for sports. Dr. Voss' son and another man went to the first saloon to collect funds to buy presents for the winners of each contest We were very suc- cessful. One man gave a sovereign, about s5
 They were delighted with their suc- cess and thanked all who helped them to start the sports. First they had programmes printed and sold them for five cents a copy. Each winner of the contests got a prize, including one of Uncle Jed's ide-Awakes.
 The. chart registered the time made Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4o1, ss2, 335 miles, with 25s miles to go making a total of o,s51 miles. It is Thursday ROW and we are all waiting to see land. It is getting rough and the ship is pitching and rolling some. We watch the porpoises of sea gulls all the afternoon. We ate our last supper on the good ship Cedric, and those who had to land at Queenstown were bidding their friends goodbye. as they were told they were to land at 1 o'clock a. III. We returned to our room, packed our trunks and put them in the hiLll next to our stateroon1, so as to be ready to leave at 8 moments notice. We retired at 10 p, III. and are awake at 5 a. m. We have breakfast at 1 a. m. I then get my first view of Ireland. I thought it the most beautiful sight l had ever beheld. Rolling ground with forts and tents. Cows and sheep graz ing.
 Tn a short time two, tenders called the America and Ireland came up to our ship and after the baggage was put on board we walked down the gang plank and bade our shipInates goodbye for the last time. We then started for Queenstown and got a beautiful view of the scenery on both sides and Queenstown. We reached tho custom house at 5.30 a. m. RICHARD TOEIN, Age 12. Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
POETRY


 , Tho Lament of a Little Girl nxy brother Will, ffe used to be
 The incest kind of g girl; He wore a. little dress like mo
 And had his hair in curl. We played with dolls and teaseG, And every kind of toy; But all these good old times are gone Will turned into a boy. Mamma has made him little suits, With pockets ill the pants; And cut off all his yellow curlS,
 And sent them to my aunts. And Will. he was so pleased, lspedeVe, He almost jumped with joy! But I must own did not like
 VIII turned into 3 boy. And now he plays with horrid tops, don't know how to spin; And marbles that try to shoot,
 But never hit nor win And -frogl I can't give 9 back Like Charlie, Jim or Roy! Oh, no one knows how bad feel
 Cause VIII has turned a boy! l. have to wear frocks just the same; And now they're mostly white, have to sit and just be good
 While Will can climb and fight! But I must keep my dresses nice,
 And wear nay hair in cufli And worst! Oh, worstest thing of all :! have to stay a girl!
 Sent in by ELLA Cp0KSON. Centervnle, R. I,
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE
 AWAkES.
Be Ohservina.

In his daily half hour conhdential talk with his boy, an ambitious father tried to give him some good advice.
 "Be observing, my son" said the fa- tier. Cultivate the habit of seeing, and you will be successful man.
 Study things, and remember them. Don't go through the world blindly. Learn to use your eyes. Boys who are Observing know a great deal more than those who are not
 Willie listened in silence.
 Several days later, when the entire family, consisting of mother. aunt, un- gle. and father were. present, MT. x. said:
 Well Willie, have you done as I advised you?"
 Willie nodded and after a moments hesitation replied:
 I've seen a fw things around the teuse. For instance: Uncle Jim's got a bottle of hair dye hid in his trunk Aunt Jane has an extra set of teeth in her dresser. Mas got some curls il hcr hat. and Pa. well, he's got two decks of cards and q box Of poker chips hid behind tGe books in the library
 GEORGE E. p. FARRELL, Age II.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
My Vacation,

Dear Uncle Jed: I enjoy reading the Wide-Awakes' stories every week. l thought I would write you about my vacation. which I passed with my grandfather and grandmother. No. 2. H. & N. I. T. Go. He took my grandmother and me with him on a trip.
 We started the last Tuesday of June. We made our first trip from a New Jersey port where we loaded with coal and brought it back to Hartford where We unloaded,
 Our second trip was at St. George, N. Y, where we could look upon the Statue of Liberty, given by France.
 Our third trip was from South Am boy, N. J.. where we landed and en- joyed the bathing.
 Our fourth trip was to St. George, from where we brought coal back to Middletown on the Connecticut river.
 I enjoyed all of the trips very much. but was glad to get home and see mother. and brother and get back to school the sth.
 We had lovely weather ex- cepting two wind squalls and some fog, I hope my grandfather will be captain another season so we can go on other trips with him
 This being my first letter hope you think it good enough to print I will try to do better next time.
 ALICE JONES. Age II.
 Willimantic.
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
Our Cooking School.

Dear Uncle led: Where live. all the girls in the seventh and eighth grades attend cooking school.
 There are three such schools In New Bedford and we go every other week.
 The one attended in the laxt grade was a new one and we were the first class to begin work there.
 The girls work in couples, each couple having two drawers with uten- sils in them and a baking board which is attached to a long table at which eighteen girls may sit.
 There are two of these tahlss and eight snlan gas stoves on each.
 The girls have all the utensils they need for their cooking.
 The teacher tells us what to make and hands out recipes, then we must start to werk./
 We each make, something different to give each girl a little bit.
 We are not allowed 10 talk out loud while we are working for 1t causes confusion in the room; but we may whisper to our partner if it is about cooking.
 We eat and then wash our own dishes when there is room at the large sink.
 Every girl has something to do in the line of housekeeping. Some dust others sweep. clean silver, or write
 We take turns at washing the to#- els and hanging them out to dry.
 Everything we do Is learning us The girls all look forward with pleas l1re to the day they go to cooking school.
 LENA KRAUSS. Ago fl.
 New Bedford, Mass.
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
Four Pl.yr,ates.

One day Rena and Bertha. went to see their aunt.
 Rena asked her aunt if they could take Robert out and give him a ride on Rover1s back; and their aunt toii them not to let him fall of from the hsck of Rover.
 So Rena and Bertha went and called Rover, and Rover came running to ttem- Little Bertha had 9 red ribbon ia her hand to tie on the dogs collar.
 Little Robert cams out shouting T want to ride on Roper's back, cousin. Font Jet me fall, will you. Berthacc"
 No I will hold you so you cannot fall," said Rena- Little Bertha, took the red ribbon in her hand NOW go, p said Rena,
 Robert was glad to have a ride on the dogs back. It was in the summer and the girls did not wear anything on their heads.
 Robert made the dog turn around and when he got home he jumped off the dog,s back.
 Rena told her aunt she must gc home now.
 You must stay to supper said auntie. So they ate there, and when it was about eight o'clock their mother told her husband to go and get Bertha and Reua- He got the team and horse and drove to their auntie's house an1 brought the children home and they went to bed and did not wake up m til morning R1Itir
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
She Saw Roosevelt.

Dear Uncle Jed: Our high school opens Tuesday. Sept. s. I am taking the commercial course and I will be in the second year. I think it is rather hard to have to start school ton.
 We have much cooler weather here now.
 <, Saturday my father and I went to Oyster Bay. While we were down at the depot we saw Colonel Roosevelt depart on a train for New York. knew him the minute I saw him as l have seen him once before
 I have little black puppy nine weeks old and he weighs only three pounds. His name is Roxy. He is
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
UNCLE JEp'S TALK TO WIDE.
 AWAKES.


 Some people do not believe i'll Natufe as teacher simply because they are wholly unaware how many things man has copied from Nature. The arch was first represented in the shape of the sky and the rainbow, and the gothic arch on the point of q. leaf; the first hinges were seen in shellfsh, and they are hinges that wear. too!
 The suns magical play with the mi-ts and with the pigments in earth and foliage first demonstrated to man how to employ coIors for decorative purposes-1how to correctly put them together. All art is an imitation of Natures way of doing things
 The ants and the bees and the wasps lived in communities for mutual aid and protection when men lived in caves and trees and wandered about the country in tribes as fishers, cleaners and hunters, showing the advantages of government. There seems to be no doubt the ants fought battles and took prisoners and made slaves of them be- fore man ever thought of doing so..
 The spiders made the first trestles and bridges and pulleys and traps, do- ing things naturally that men have to go to school and learn by years of study. The spider shows the princi- ples of geometry in his web and poscs before us as a natural teacher in science man understands and he does not. A spider made the first diving bell to go down and operate under water by taking a supply of air with him and spider invented the first trap bis enemies from entering his hole and destroying his family.
 The birds knew the value of a. sum- mer resort before man had learned to fe.ce and endure winter ice and snow To live in a comfortable climate some birds have to fly during the year 15.oo0 miles, which is three-ffth of the way around the globe. This is true of swallows which winter in Africa and of some Newfoundland birds which sum- her in the ncighborhood of Cape Horn.
 The flowers of the garden are chang hg their form and color all the time, hS.d have been setting new esehiens tor million years. perhaps. It was because of their changeability and the assistance which insects rendered them that man was able to improve plants and bring out new varieties It was the sharp eyes of gardener who saw little violet of unusual size which gave to us the 1.2o0 varieties of splen- Aid pansies found in the gardens to- day; and the same keen sight of man which has brought from q white and a purple petunia found 100 years ago all s- the splendid striped and biotched and fringed and huted petunias we nave today.
 No one can tell how much man has learned from Nature She is q teacher
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
Mother Love.

One fine summer day in the country, as r passed a thick bush, I heard the twitter of little birds. Looking os;er the bush, I saw a pretty sight.
 There were four young birds and q mother bird. The young ones were hopping about, their wings moving, their bills open, waiting for something to eat. The mother bird had their feod in her bill. and dropped it into tteir open mouths.
 To one she gave a bug, to another a fat worm, to a third a, taste Of fruit, and to the fourth a bit of ripe grain
 They were greedy little things They seemed to want everything there was to eat. But their mother gave them ali alike. The mother love that God gives to the least animal was strong in her, and she saw that each little bundle of feathers had it's share = It was only for a short time that the mother bird had to feed the little ones. h a very few days they grew large and strong and were able to fly and ta help themselves. Then no fly, but tert1y or insect of any kind was safe from these greedy young birds.
 HELEN WISNESKI, Age 14.
 Yantic
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17

work hard for it we will never make 8. success, so let us all try hard to do our best in school with our lessons.
 It is just the same as it is with other kinds of work we have to do at home We work hard and see how good we can do our work; and we are delighted when we finish a piece of work and mother says: Tt is done good" Why shouldn't we at school?
 Let us all try this year and see ii we can't rank high in our studies when the reports are made out! Let S study hard that we may win.
 LUCY A. CARTER, Age 12. L- Scotland
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17

go in wading, so she ran and asked her grandma about it.
 Well, yes.:' said she. but don't go too far or shall be afraid you will be washed away.
 .No. I won't go far,'' said Jessie So she went a little into the water.
 Her grandma looked up and saw Jessie standing on one leg with the other foot up. There was little crab cn it!
 t;er grandma got the little crab off her toe bled and was sore A long time afterwards.
 AIRLINE PEARL, Age 10. AuguSta --,,-.-f.-.
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
Little Things to Make.

Dear Uncle Jed: I hope this letter Is not too late. but thought the Wide Awakes might like to make some of the articles which mention any spare afternoon.
 No doubt there are quite a..few who are sorry vacation Is over. while others are anxious to go to school again.
 Needle case-Srlall needle books can be made from odds and ends of silk and ribbon. One made in heart shape takes very little material Cut two pasteboards two inches long and cover them with silk. Inside place two leaves of flannel to hold the nee- dles Attach cord to the top and bottom and make small bows.
 Silk Slippers are useful and, cool for the summer time. To make them, c-'or desired. Round the edge of the
 soles. bind a piece of satin ribbon ~ 4.te-eishlns of an inch wide. For the | tops take q inches of satin ribbon l threa inches wide and sew it to the soles; seam together at the back Round the top turn over one-haA inch of thetribbon and run in a quarter of a yard of one-quarter inch elastic | Sew on two rows of white lace around | the top. At the front of the slipper gather in the fulness and add a little ribbon rosette.
 You can also make the slippers oi linen. Use the same proportions and l instead of lace for the top. make 2 scalloped edge: mark the pattern witf
 a spool and buttonhole the edge. Fol | the elastic casing sew on narrow piece of linen tape.
 l Table Mat-Io make a linen ma | for hot dishes, stamp an oval or circl, | with a. sealloped edge on a piece Q l linen, cut it out and embroider an ini | tial on one end.
 l For the under part of the mat talk, l another piece of linen the size of tn l first piece. baSte the two together ant
 embroider through both edges. in but
 tonhole stitch. Half way around tn, | pattern leave the under piece separat
 and finish the upper piece in button
 hole Hem the under piece. Thi
 makes a kind of bag into which piece of asbestos can be slipped | JESSIE BREHAUT. East Norwich N Y
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
How chieuita Moxsd Her Family.


 Dear Uncle Jed; On the lawn in front of grandma's house there is tree that has a great lknothole half way up the trunk. One morning a gray squirrel the children had named Chi- quita. was seen running up and down the tree in a very excited manner Pretty soon. when everything was quiet about the grounds, she climbed another tree at the farther side of the lawn and four little squirrels popped their heads out of hole and one af- ter another cane running down this tree. Then Chiquita tried to have them follow her to the tree with the big knothole. but they were so fright ened they kept scanlpering back to the old home and hiding in the dark hole far up the tree.
 At last vixen Chiquita had coaxed one of the tiIpid little things down again to the lawn she ,squealed some thing in his ear and he keeled right over on his back, then she hunched I'D against him and somehow managed to make him put his paws around her neck just as children do when they ride pigback and in this way she carried him to the new home in the big knot
 Going back again she took baby squirrel number two. number three and number four in just the same way until every ono of them was safely under cover in the new nest.
 Don't you think Chiquita was d very clever little squirrel mother to move all her babies so comfortably?
 ELSIE E. BROMLEY, Age il.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
Jessie's Visit to the Shore.

Jessie was ill--very i'll: She had the German measles. Nobody could tell where she had got them. She was long time recovering, so her grandmaunla. came and got Jessie and took her to the seashore.
 The next morning after they got to the seashere Jessie's grandma got a book and ller work basket and let Jes- sic play in the sand while her grand
 ms sat down on the rock. After a while Jessie's grandma bought her a Fail and a spade so Jessie could dig deep holes and build fine castles.
 Jessie thought it would be great fun to take off her shoes and stockings and
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
On the Farm,

Dear Uncle Jed: I live on a farm in which there Is about eighty acres. We have plenty of fruit, especially apples. We have apples. pears, peach es, plnras, grapes and all kinds of Der Iies./
 September 9th, 1914 picked a. quart and pint of cultivated blackberries 1t is late in the season, for them. We have more red ones yet to pick when they are ripe.
 My father has lived here about thirty one or two years. and says he was never without plenty of fruit
 We have two apple trees all broke down. they are So loaded with apples. One is a Russet and the other a wolf River.
 JULIA Y. LATHAM, Age 14.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
lnhabitsd Rocks.

Have any Wide-Awakes ever seen old rocks which when struck would produce 3 cracked and hollow sound :? When you see them like this break them Generally good sharp blow can easily break off 8 thick layer of decayed rock. Then you can see hun dreds Of ants and sometimes 3, few centpedes which are g long wlry in sect known as thousand legs"
 On such an occasion 1t shows that the rc,clz must be very old, and dead a long time. It probably began with a mere crack caused by the weather. As It grew larger the ants. who are al ways looking for some such place. creW1ed in. and made it their hcmes-
 When I broke of 9 layer Of stone the ants grabbed their eggs between their pinchers and started of; very loath to leave. I watched them with
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
The Rice Baby.

The Japanese baby is the auaintest little tot in all the worlds nursery.
 The Japanese baby wears q small sock that looks more like a. nlitten than a stocking for there is a little special place in it for the big toe! Soft str aw sandals take the place of shoes in the house. These are heelless and held i'll place by a strap which passes over the instep ahd down in side the large toe. In rainy or wet weather he wears a wooden clog. raised about two inches from the ground.
 The baby of Japan loves pretty colors--tiae little girls wear red, the boys bright yellow. And pocketsi No American boy was cker blessed with such wonderful pocketsi Instead of in his trousers the pockets are in his sleevei
 And when he wants to find some treasured bit one tiny hand will dis appear and search far dow,S within the depth, where hide the quaintest play things-toys, balloons made like a fish and wee, wee butterflies for kites,
 The children in Japan play many games not known to us.
 Tn all Japan there's nothing half SC precious as child. and they play about the streets without the least fear that they will be hurt by any careless driver. or showed aside for being in the way.
 LILLIAN BREHAuT.
 East Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
Our Pet Lamb.

My sisters and wanted a pet lamb. We asked our father to buy us one. So last Wednesday he bought us a little white one.
 At first he would run when we came near him; but he soon grew quite tame and let us pet him. He was washed and my sisters conabed his wool. They wanted to put red rib- bon on his neck So we found two and put one on his collar and one on his tail.
 His thick wool is very soft. We like to pet him and he likes to be patted.
 He eats oats and grass. I wonder how many of the Wide 1Awalles have lambs.
 ALICE M. GoRMAN, Age Il.
 Versailles.
Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-17
Patty,

I am a pretty white cat. My name is Petty.
 My sister feeds me and cares for me She has 9 dog who treats me cruelty. She bits my tail. have two playmates. One of them is black and white, and the other is gray. They stop the naughty dog from using me so.
 I came from Randolph. A woman who had me gave me to this little girl.
 The first day was away from home was lonesome, but the next day l got acquainted,
 ROSIE HALLOwELL, Age t2.
 Augusta, Me.