davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Age 10.
The Life of a Boot BY
Daphen 0. Wilson

Dear Editor: I will now take the
pleasure of writing a story to the
Junior Page. The title OF my story IS,
THE Life of a boot
First the animal from which the
skin was to be taken was caught and
killed then it was skinned. 1t is then
taken to the place where they tan
hides. After it is tanned it is taken
to the manufacturing house.
It is then cut and sewed. After 1t
has gone through these processes 1t Is
"blacked." 1t is then taken to the
store. In few days man or boy
comes in and wants boot. He says
he wants "a good one.'
After looking for little while he
takes his choice. 1T is this boot I'm
writing about" The clerk wraps It
up. The man pays for it and is gone
thinking that he has good boot
When he gets home he unwraps it
and says "he is going to try It."
He wears it for long time through
mud and water but it never leaks.
Alas! one day the man is walking
along and all at once he feels his feet
getting wet. He has stepped on a
nail.
"Well the boots have worn me long
time and I am satisfied"
The boots find themselves on trash
pile in some back alley or in some old
place.
The life of boot is very miserable
one.
I remain. Junior,
.... Daphen o. Wilson,
Age IS. Clay Center, Neb.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Why I Like to Live in the
Country - BY Velna
Robertson
Dear Editor and Juniors:

Dear Editor and Juniors:
I have never written to the Courier
Junior before. I will write on the
subject suggested by the editor last
week,
= ! like to live in the country because
there are so many interesting things
to see and do. In the city there are
museums, moving picture shows and
circuses to see. But in the country
you may 60 horseback, riding, fishing,
flower hunting and skating. While
there are only few of these sports
you can do in the city. There are not
many birds in the city only those that
are in cages. While in the country
there are almost two hundred variet-
les of which many are song birds.
In the city squarrels are never seen
running about carrying nuts in their
mouths, while if you walk through the
woods in the country you will see
them playing and carrying nuts to
their nests up in the trees.
In the country there are numerous
springs, some are large while others
are only small streams coming from
the side of a hill. Some of the small
err springs freeze over in the winter,
but the larger ones never freeze.
From these springs run the purest
water of the earth. In the city the
air is full of coal smoke and dust.
In the country there are many kinds
of shade trees, but in the city there
are only few trees In the country
a person may have as many kinds OF
pets as they can take care of and in
the city there is not room for them.
Only few of the pets in the city are
healthy, for animals do not like to
have to stay in small pen and
breath foul air. So after all think
it is much more healthy and pleasant
in the country.
As my story is getting long I will
close.
Velna Robertson, age -.
Sigourney, a., Route No. 8, Box So.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Kate Says She Will Always
Like the Country Best

The country Is better place to live
because the air is purer and there is
more land in which to take plenty OF
open air exercises.
The children from the country are
most always healthy and have good
appetite. They are free from the temp
tations of the city such as drinking
Intoxicating liquors, smoking and US
ing bad language. Some farmers and
country people have the habit Of doing
these things. They have either once
lived in the city and when they moved
to the country they could not break
these habits or they are frequent city
visitors.
The city has many places Of amuse-
ment such as shows, dances, suppers,
and other things to entertain people
which the country has not.
Some city people say the country
people have no manners or any sense
but I want to say that some country
people have better manners and &C
lions than the city people. They do
not spend their money fool1shly and
are always doing the best for their
families and farms or property.
The children in the country are con-
stantly learning the farm ways which
may bring great profit to them,
where if they lived in the city they
probably be sinking away or the tenn
ptation would be drawing them down
until they would amount to nothing.
The farmers children are learning
how to milk, plant grain, hay making
take care OF the stock, gather eggs and
many other things While the city
children have not the privilege to do
so.
The schools In the city are better
than those in the country but the coun-
try children learn quicker than those
in the city. l shall always stand up
for the country even If everybody stood
up for the city. Because I once lived
there myself and learned good deal
more than do in the city.
Kate Cochran.
Age 10, Charlton, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
A Trip to the Woods in
Spring - By Marjorie Jay

On March 8, 1918. We took walk
over the hills and through Pudding
stone canyon in search of flowers.
After a tiresome climb over the San
Jose hills, we had our hands full OF
ferns, hyacinths, yellow and blue
vio.ets, shooting stars and peoples, and
we ate cactus apples.
From the top of the hill, which was
covered with rocks and cactus, we
could get a good view of the valley
covered with orange groves laden with
yellow fruit, and beyond was the green
foothills and in the background San
Antonio's snow capped peak, common
ly called "Old Badly" stood promin-
emily in view. AS we came down the
hill side, we rested under live oak
tree and picked up acorns.
Then we came down Puddingstone
canyon and watched the water falls,
and took kodak pictures on big rock.
Puddingstone canyon is such pretty
place, so shady and COOL covered with
live oak, sycamore and eucalyptus.
On the banks of the canyon were
lemon and orange groves, bordered by
palm trees, magnolia and camphor
gum, and pepper berry trees.
On the road home we sampled some
navel oranges but they had been froz-
en-. Then we tried some valencias but
they were green, and something was
the matter with the grape fruit for it
was awfully bitter
Then our neighbour, Mrs. Tangaman
loaded us with lilacs and roses.
As this walk was in March you will
know it was not in Iowa. 1t was in
San Dimas, California.
This is one Of my school compost
tons.
Il Marjorie Jay, aged II
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
pioneer Crest" Name Of
John Bakers Home

Editor Junior: AS have never writ
ten to the Junior before, thought I'd
write and tell you about our home in
the country.
The name Of our farm is Pioneer
Crest.
like to live on the farm fine.
We raise horses, cattle, sheep. hogs,
chickens, guineas, turkeys. and geese,
We have 10 horses, IA cattle, 62 sheep.
and hogs. In the poultry line we
have 8 guineas turkeys, and 10 geese
and many chickens.
Our farm has two barns on 1t.
Our farm has about five acres Of
woodland.
Our farm has $50 acres altogether.
We are breaking colts now.
We raised about 60 acres Of corn
last year.
We are going to put in about 80
acres Of corn this year.
90 to school now, my teacher Is
Ida Hawbaker
She is good teacher. like her bet
ter than any other teacher.
walk about one-ha'f mile to school.
Your Junior friend.
John Barker, aged II,
Bentonsport, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
FOR THE CHILDREN
A Farmers Life "a School
Composition by Floy
E. Young

Dear Editor: ..' ..'-,..
This is one of my school compost.
ton, "a Farmers Life
A farmers life is harder in summer
than in winter because in the spring
all the ground has to be prepared, the
grain planted and taken care of, the
corn plowed, and the farmer hasn't
much time to spare. In the summer
he has his hay to harvest and put up.
When fall comes the corn is husked
and cribbed, then the farmer has to
prepare for the winter.
In the winter the farmer is not quite
so busy, but he has his coal to haul.
feed the stock and care for them. Some
formers put up ice and that has to be
hauled and packed in sawdust
The farmers life is a healthy one,
He is out of doors nearly all of the
time with the exception of winter and
then he is out quite lot as he always
has stock to care for.
He has good, fresh food to eat. He
does not have to eat things that are
not fresh like the people in the larger
cities do. He raises nearly a.! of :::=
own food so he knows it is fresh and
it doesn't cost him as much as if he
had lived in the city.
A farmers life is happy one be-
cause he is free from all noise of the
city. He has nearly all his own food
and stock. He feels better and is
healthier than the people in the cities.
He has all kinds of beautiful seen
cry around him, the green meadows,
fields of yellow corn. the wheat and
oats growing the stock grazing around
on the pastures, other men working
in their own fields, the houses and
buildings around him, the trees and
the birds singing and flying about. He
has so many beauties around him that
he is happy nearly all the time.
In winter he has all kinds Of socials
to go to, singing schools, husking bees
and many other enjoyments. When
it SHOWS he has sleigh rides and goes
places because 1t is most generally
fairly good weather, besides he goes
partly. for the rides.
In the cities they don't have near
this much enjoyment. All they see is
the hard pavements, teams passing
and buildings forty stories high, and
all crowded together, some times
few sparrows hopping about But the
farmer has lots of pleasures that the
city people don't have. Yet people
will leave the country and go to town
by the wholesale, even though it is
cheaper living in the country.
Floyd E. Young, Age IA.
R. 7. Charlton, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Flo Moore's George Wash
ington Story

Dear Editor: AS this is the first
time that have written to the Cour-
Ter I thought l would write about
George Washington.
George Washington, the first presi-
dent Of the United States, was born in
Westmoreland county, Virginia, Feb
ruary %, 1892. His father was Angus
tine Washington, who died when
George was eleven years old, leaving
him in the care of his mother.
George at an early age received q
very good education in the common
branches.
He was always so truthful. Once,
when given a little Ratchet, he went in
to the garden and chopped down a
cherry tree. His father was very dis
appointed about the tree and asked
George if he had cut the tree down.
George told him that he had.
His father was proud to think that
he did not lie to him.
When George grew to manhood he
was a surveyor, and in 1851 he was ap-
pointed Acknowledgement Of one Of the
districts of Virginia. When the French
and Indian war broke out George
Washington was promoted to- the rank
of lieutenant general. Though many
of the officers in the battle Of Fort
Duquee1e were slain or wounded,
Washington returned safely from the
disastrous expedition when the war
closed in 1859.
Mr.. Washington returned home and
married Martha Curtis. A short time
after their marriage they moved to
Mount Vernon. For sixteen years Mr..
Washington led the life of planter.
The second continental congress ap.
pointed him commander-in-chief of the
American army June II, 1775. Wash
1ngton won many victories and also
met many defeats. When victory and
peace crowned the efforts put forth by
the Americans, Washington returned
to his home at Mount Vernon.
On April 80, 1889, Washington was
inaugurated president Of the United
States. After serving two terms as
president he was offered the third but
refused and returned home.
1t has been said that he was First
in war, first In peace and first in the
hearts of his countrymen."
Washington died December IA, 1893,
at Mount Vernon, where many monu.
ments have been erected to com.
memorate the noted events of his life.
Flo Moore,
R. R. No. 2. Abba, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Clara Hart, a New Junior
Whose Birthday Is July 4

Dear Junior: This is the first let.
ter l have written to the Courier.
I go to rural school number ten.
am In the sixth grade. My schoolmate
is Doris Pauley.
I like to read the Junor's corner let
ters
| have no sisters or brothers.
have blue eyes, brown hair. weight
about IS pounds.
There are IS scholars in our school,
s boys and 9 girls.
My birthday is the Fourth of July.
will be twelve on my next birthday,
I would like to exchange cards with
some Of the Juniors.
I will close, hoping to see my letter
In print.
Clara Hart, Age II,
Box II. Lockman, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Doris Gray Would Like to
Go to a Country School

Dear Juniors:
l think the best place to live is in
the country. It is much healthier.
The air is fresh: while in the city it
Is often filled with disease germs.
In the country one can have fresh
food and it is almost certain to be
good.
One can have more exercise in the
country.
I like to ride horseback and if
lived in the country I could ride as
much as I wanted to.
In the country you can raise chick
ems and cows.
I have always thought I would like
to 20 to country school. Probably if
I went to a country school I would
rather go to city school,.
There are many reasons for living
in the country, that will not attempt
to give more.
Doris Gray, age 10.
615 A Avenue East, Abba, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Eugene Likes the Country
for Many Reasons

The best place to live is in the
country. The country life is the more
independent.
There are better schools and
churches in the city, but the country
schools are good. 49,.
You can raise your own vegetables
in the country. 49,
You can make more money. 1t IS
healthier. You are out doors more
and can get more fresh air. You can
raise your own cattle, and do not have
to buy milk. You can work on your
farm, and it will make you stronger.
You are more free in the country.
You do not have so many taxes to
pay. You raise your own grain and
bring it to town and sell 1t.
Eugene Beck, age 9. Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
SCHOOL COMPOSITIONS AND
LETTERS.

We hope that many more Of the
juniors will write letters. We will Of
fer 4 surprise prize for the best letter
and all tho Juniors can work for it.
Elizabeth Carmichael and Ethel
Brooks arc awarded letter prizes.
We want more Juniors to send in
some Of their school compositions.
We VIII give beautiful doll, knife,
book. skates (roller), letter paper or
beads for the best composition.
Marjorie Jay gets the composition
Drdxe this week.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Morals Reasons for Liking
the Country Best

I like the country better than the
city because the scenery is more
beautiful. The grass is greener and
the sky seems bluer. The air is
fresher and we feel free and happy.
The life Of the farmer is more in
dependent than that of the man living
in the city. He raises most Of his
food and does not have to depend on
any one else.
In the country you can raise chick
ems and other poultry and lots OF
stock, while in the city you cannot.
The children have better places to
play in as there is more room. They
can gather wild flowers and berries.
These are my reasons for liking the
country.
Nora Dunning,
Eldon, Iowa, R. r. No. 2.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Box II.
Beatrice Says Smoke Is
Dense in Cities

The country is the best place to live
because of the pure air. The country
air is good for people who have been
sick The city air is unhealthy because
of 50 many factories. In large cities
the smoke is awful dense. 1t almost
chokes anybody to go in the streets.
The country is known for the fresh
milk and eggs and good butter.
think a pair of roller skates, ring or
fountain pen.
T will close wishing to see my letter
in print.
Beatrice J. Pack,
Ages 9. Ottum"a, iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
Uncle Carried
Flag Until His Leg Was
Shot Off
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
AS it has been quite while since
wrote I thought l would write again.
will tell you about my fathers
uncle. He was In the civil war. There
were three different men shot down
in one battle while they were carry
ing the flag. Then papas uncle pick
ed up the flag and carried it all day
until one of his limbs was shot off at
the knee.
I will close, hoping to see my letter
in print. Elizabeth Carmichael, age g..
Stockport, Iowa, Route No. 3.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
AN EASTER CONTEST.
Dear Juniors

Dear Juniors:
Easter Sunday is only two weeks
from Sunday, March 90 We want all
the Juniors to write nice Easter
stories, selecting their own subjects.
The contest will open today and close
Monday, April 6. The writer's can Sc
lect their prizes from the following
list: Beads, book, doll, roller skates,
souvenir spoon, music roll. box of let
ter paper. etc., or a box of Easter
candy.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
GLADYS LIKES TO MAKE MUD PIES

Dear Juniors:
will write on (Which is the Best
Place to Live"
think the best place to live is in
the country. I'd live in the country,
too, if had my choice. I'd live in the
country where could make mud pies,
go wading in water and when mamma
churned, make butter. l would gath
err the eggs and on Saturday I'd go to
town. In winter I'd go coasting.
Wouldn't you? Well, these are all my
reasons. l will close as my letter is
getting long.
Gladys Sickels, Age II.
III South Miner St., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28

curious boys, after scrambling down
an embankment. 1t wasn't Bobbie.
Thus month after month passed,
and Mr.. Mifflin gave up hope of ever
seeing Bobbie alive. Then the miracle
happened - Bobbie returned; re.
turned and took up the threads Of his
career where he left them without
even casual reference to aphasia.
The way of it was remarkable. For
some time it has been the practice Of
send one of the boys to the postoffico
for the firms mail, and it CHANGED
that one Of the newer employees was
chosen for the task. The bag for the
mail, however, was the same that had
always been used.
AS the boy made his way along the
crowded sidewalks of Washington
street he noticed little brown terrier
with white markings shifting curious
ly at the bag. He felt a tug at the
leg Of his trousers at the heel. and
then another. The dog stopped,
wagged his tail, and then followed. Up
Bromfield street, across fremont and
into Park, went the boy, the mail bag
and the dog.
At the door of the Houghton Mifflin
Company the boy paused, shcoed his
chance friend away, and closed the
door in his face. The visitor would
not be rebuffed. He stood on the
steps, balanced Enthusiastically on
three legs, and waited.
Somebody else came along, opened
the door again, and in darted the ter
rier. Up the stairs he went and
waited again. The inner door opened,
and again the dog went in. There may
be ninety and nine or ninety times
nine Boston terriers in and about the
business district, but to the employees
Of the Houghton Mifflin Company
there is only one Bobbie.
He was no stranger to them. No
other dog had his pleasant manners.
To be sure, he was somewhat travel
stained, but still the same. No prodi
gal ever received a warmer welcome
as he moved sedately through the
outer offices to the sanctum of Mr..
Mifflin. There he paused, looked up
at his master, and flourshed the
stump of tail. Bobbie was back -
that expresses it.
Now you may see him any day tax.
the large fireplace in Mr.. Mifflin's
ing his ease on a cushion IN front OF
the large fireplace in Mr.. Mifflin's
office, wagging his ears and looking
wise What have been his wander.
ings he alone knows.
There are many things that still
puzzle Mr.. Mifflin: Why his collar
was changed; why those who had him
did not return him to the address OH
his old collar; why he returned when
he did, and lot of other why's It's
all a mystery, no doubt, but then,
there is rejoicing in the Mifflin house
hold. and it is enough that-Bobbie's
back.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

l. Use one side Of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
3. Always sign your name in full
and state your age.
4. Do not copy stories or poetry and
send us as your own work.
g. 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 tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
ABOUT PRIZES.

II the Courier Juniors have ever
failed to receive prizes when the win
ner's names we're published we want
to be told about 1t right away. We
also want all of our prizes acknow-
legged. We send out prizes within two
weeks after the winners names are
announced.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
The Right Size

I met q little Gilman once,
Down where the lilies blow.
I asked him why he was so small,
And why he didn't grow.
He slightly frowned, and with his eye
He looked me through and through
TIN Just as big for me-" said he,
As you are big for you!"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
PRIZE WINNER NEXT WEEK..

We will put the rest Of the (Which
IL tho Best Place to Live, Country or
CITY," stories in next weeks Junior
and also announce the prize winner.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
WILL SEND POST CARDS.

stories or nice letters they will receive
post cards, the latter being sent out
when the letters and stories are pub
lished.
Arizona sentinel and Yuma weekly examiner., 1914-09-03
EUROPEAN CONFLICT
 |S A RULERS WAR

The European war was needed to furnish apparent justification for maintenance of big armaments. Con- stantly increasing expenditures for armies and navies had caused mur- murings. People were beginning to question the existence of a possible foreign foe-and this was beginning to be embarrassing.
 It would not do to admit the truth that the armies were principally need ed to suppress discomfort at home.
 In. the meantime, Socialism and the other democratic movements were growing. There was no telling what the next elections might bring forth. Something had to be done to diver, popular attention from domestic evils. That this state of affairs drove the various rules to decide on war can not be proven. But it is certainly the most plausible explanation.