davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
Maggie Watts Writes Letter
to Her Grandparents

Dear Grandparents:
I am writing you letter to let you
know how we all are. We are all
we'll and hope Grandpa gets better
soon. How are both of you?
Aunt Bell is getting along as well
as can be expected.
am coming to see you soon. / am
still going to school, My teachers
name is Mary Denefe.
We have our new house about done.
We are having nice weather. Don't
you think so?
1 am writing through the Courier
Junior to you. Francis is out with
papa feeding the cattle. | help NAM
ma milk. We milk three cows.
Well, will close and go milk
From your loving granddaughter,
Maggie Watts, Age II.
r. Z, Box 4S. Ottumwa, 10.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
ABOUT PRIZES.

II the Courier Juniors have ever
failed to receive prizes when the win
ners' names were published we want
to be told about it right away. We
also want all of our prizes acknowl-
edged. We send out prizes within
two weeks
II any Junior has ever failed to re-
ceiye a prize after his or her name
appeared in this paper, it is because
the wrong address has been given us.
when we say wrong address we es-
pecially refer to incomplete addresses.
All city Juniors should put their street
number and all Juniors living In the
! country should put their box number,
or failing to have box send In their
parents names.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
THE COURIER JUNIOR
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co. 4
Ottumwa, Iowa
/. MATILDA DEVEREAUX
EDITOR
Ready to Care for Stockings
Whenever Donors
Bring Them In

Dear Juniors: We will be ready to
take care of the stockings donated to
the 1914 Christmas Stocking club
Saturday. OF course if the donors
want to bring them in before Satur-
day we can take care of them. We
hope to have a great number in by
Monday evening. However, the don
ors can suit their own convenience.
we will have them ready for Santa
Claus when he comes after them
Christmas eve. We are delighted
with the membership. Just think how
many needy little ones will be made
happy on Christmas day by the kind
ness of the Courier Juniors and their
friends.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
CHRISTMAS STORIES.

This year we want all the Juniors
who have passed their fourteenth
birthday to write a Christmas story.
we will give a special prize for these
older Juniors.
We want all the Juniors who have
not passed their fourteenth birthday
to write on one of the following sub
jects:
WHY THE CHRISTIAN WORLD
CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS.
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.
THE 4MAGI.
The prize will be either doll, pair
of skates. book, a beautiful picture,
4 box of candy or Christmas tree.
The contest closes Monday, Dec. Il.
The Juniors whose letters or stories
have been appearing in the Junior
the past weeks will receive post
cards Christmas week. We Will not
have room to publish the many splen-
did letters, compositions and stories
received until after Christmas. How
ever, we want all the Juniors to work
in the Christmas contest
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.

eEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.
1. Use one side of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legibly, using
ink or sharp lead pencil.
8. Always sign your name IN full
and state your age.
4. Do not copy stories and poetry
and send us as your own work.
8. Number your pages.
6. Always state choice OF a prize
on a separate piece Of paper, with
name and address in full.
7, Address envelope to The Cour-
Ter Junior.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Santa
send me a pair of pants for my brother.
want set Of furs and a nice dress,
hat and coat, 2 boxes Of handkerchiefS,
or pairs of stockings filled with or
anges and candy Two nice ribbons one
pink satin and black satin. A stran Of
beads That Is all I want. Send my
mamma a nice head shawl. And papa
two nice handkerchiefs and pipe and
my brothers all a tie apiece. I have
three brothers That is all. So good-by.
And send my sister two red set hair
pins.
From your little girl.
Anna Gee, age II years.
Queen st. No. 20
please send my brothers sister and
mother and father some of my things.
Dear santa Claus
l want big doll and cradle and a
pair of ribbons l want a box of candy
and a box Of handkerchiefs I want too
pair Of Stockings I want them filed
with candy and nuts and apples. have
brother he is two years old 1 wish
you would send him a little rocking
horse and little wagon and I have a
little sister she wants dress and a
ribbon
Dear Santa I will close please send
some Of the things
Stella Gee age nine
Queen st number 20
GOOdg bye santa clause
Dear Santa Claus
l want a doll and buggie
want cradle and box of candy
! want new dress
I want a box Of handkerchiefs
| T Of
with candy and nuts and oranges
l will go too bed at Seven O'Clock
and, Sleep title
| and new hair ribbon and want it
purple have a little Sister her name
| is Ruth and she wants a little stove
and pair Of stocking and them filled
with canday and nuts and orgnes she
is only five years old. If you plese send
her box of handkerchief
I CESS ] will close for this time sc
| god bye from your friend
l am an orphan girl and have nc
mamma
| Goldie Conner age 8
| Queen street no 20
Dear Santa
! | wonder if you thought l had forgot
ten you. want you to bring me doll
i a story book nuts, candy and new
| coat. 1 also lave a sister named La
vonne who would like for you to bring
her some candy nuts books and sleC
and doll
Hoping to receive my wishes
Evesta Liverpool,
S43 Fellow st
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

a rubber doll and a horn for my other
brother this is all Santa Please do not
forget me
Leota Spencer, age 8,
Abba, Ia, r. No. . =
Dear Santa Claus / want some things
for Christmas / want train Of cars a
book of Robinson Cruso" a Flexible
Flyer sled blackboard and some nuts
and candy Dear Santa l wish you a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
live on
125 South Willard ST. Ottumwa, Ia
Gerald Spiker, age 8 years.
Dear Santa Claus
I am little girl eight years old.
= II live twelve miles north of Ottum-
wa.
I, Please will you bring me doll 20
enches long and some oranges and a
story book and sled. 1 have sister.
her name is Ruth and brother his
name is William.
! Please viii you bring me little
lamp; and some candy and nuts for us
all
Your little girl
Dear Santa Claus,
I am little boy six years old. My
mama is helping me write this. have
sister Eva eight years old, and baby
sister Ruth two years old. l wish you
would bring me a little wagon with
sideboards, and shafts so l can hitch
my got up: also a little bob sled. Bring
Ruth doll and doll buggy and both
Of us candy.
Yours truly.
William Rocker.
. 6 IF vo,, can't bring Use these
things bring anything else you want to.
William.
Dear Santa
1 will tell you what I want for Xmas
I want some drsesses for my big dollie
and a coat to if you have any. and
some candy and nuts if you have any
good-by from
Myrtle Staubur age years
Douds Iowa
box no rs
Dear Santa
I want a Fur and Muff and set of dishes
and & pocketbook and a story book and
some nuts and candy l have a little
brother years old he wants a train of
cars and horn and some nuts and a
whistle
Verna Spencer
please do not forget me Ages
Abba Iowa
r R No 5
Dear Santa
I want a typewriter two story books.
Ana a doll dress. II"
and roller skates.
1 want candy and nuts and that's all
Goodbye Santa,
From Helen Herman Age 10.
~ ~ &,,,,, TfNtxy
Dear Santa Clause.
am little girl named Edith Nc
Mullen age 8.
For Christmas wan new pair OF rid
bens, big doll and a new dress. My
twin sister is writing letter to Santa
Clause too. I have brother named
Fred he is fifteen years Of age.
Edith McMullen,
Birmingham, Iowa.
Dear Santa Clause
I will tell what l want for Christmas
/ want doll and a carriage for the dol
to ride in and a ribbon. this is all
want for this time.
Effie Haney. age 10.
Dear Santa Claus,
I like you Santa Claus and like fol
you to come this Christmas. | am lit.
tie boy and I go to school and I an
| glad that I can. I am ten years old.
would like to have gun, and candy
| and nuts.
| I am little boy,
| Carl Hedlund.
| Hedrick, Iowa.
| Dear Santa Claus.
! I am going to write you a lettr,
! I live on the Ottumwa road. route
| ! would to have pair of mittens, /;
! good book, pony, and candy and nut
and watch and a pair Of over Shoes
| your little boy
| from Victor CarriS
L %
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
Ottumwa, Ia. Dec. 10, 10,

Ottumwa. Ia. Dec 10, 1914.
Dear Santa Claus:-I do not want
much because the war makes every.
thing so high. | would like Flexible
Flyer and what you can give me that
is nice and what l would like.
Yours truly,
Mary Bonwill.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
SANTA CLAUS LETTERS FROM
LITTLE JUNIORS.

Dear Santa Claus; The little letters
written to you are just like the Juniors
sent them in. We did not make any
corrections.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Santa Claus:
would like a doll bed.
would like doll carriage:
l would like story book
would like some nut
I would like some candy
from your little Lavonne Liverpool.
SAB Fellows st.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

write d letleF as nave never "IllteH
but once.
l am little girl II years old and I
go to school every day. We live one
half mile from the school house.
am in the seventh grade. My teachers
name is Miss May Hagan., We like
her just fine We have got twenty
two scholars.
We are going to have Christmas
program and Christmas tree.
What do you want for Xmas?
would like to have a string OF
beads, book and a little rocking
chair and some candy and nuts.
do not know if that is too much or
not
have four brothers and two sisters.
My brothers names are Frank, Willie,
Ira and Lester and my sisters names
are Ruth and Ida.
I hope old Santa does not forget
where we live.
Mamie Davis,
Hedrick, Ia, Route 2, Box Fl.
Dear Santa:-I want you to bring
me a pair of new shoes and sled and
some candy and nuts and please don
forget.
Yours truly,
Melvin Carnes, Age II.
500 Ottumwa ST., Ottunlwa. Iowa.
Dear Santa:-I want you to bring
me some candy and doll and buggy
and please send my little sister Mary
doll and some candy.
Yours truly,
Geneve Morrison,
436 Adams St., Ottumwa, Iowa
Dear Juniors AS have not writ
ten before thought l would write a
few lines to Santa Claus as | would
like for him to bring me new mack
NAV and cap.
l hope you will get this letter all
right and give it to Santa Claus.
l will close, hoping to see you soon.
Charles Dickerson, Age TO-
1910 W. Sherman St., Ottumwa.
Ottumwa, la.
Dear Juniors:-I am still going to
school. This is the last week of
school, We have two weeks vaca-
ton. would like to have big doll
with yellow curles, doll cart and a
set of dishes.
Please give this to Santa Claus.
My address is
Dorothy Dickerson,
1O4O w. Sherman St., Ottumwa.
Dear Santa Claus:-Will you please
come around again this year? l
would like for you to come and see
me.
/ am a little girl seven years old.
live on the Ottumwa road
I have tried to be good all year.
have tried to get my lessons good.
For Christmas l would like to have
a book, doll, buggy for my doll,
skates and some candy and nuts.
Your little girl,
Ethel Bull.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Junior:
am little boy six years old.
go to the Hedrick school, My teach
er's name is Mrs. Elliot.
I want to tell Santa Claus what I'd
|
to have a coaster wagon, mackinaW
and some candy and nuts.
William Gilman,
1O4O West Sherman St., Ottumwa, Ia
Millgrove, Mo.
Dec. ii, 1914
Dear Juniors am a little girl ter
years old l lived close to OttumWs
till about five years ago when we NOV
ed to Missouri.
I 20 to school. am in the fourtl
grade. l have not missed a day OF
been tardy in my school for over two
years.
We are having some winter dowl
here. December the twelfth it showed
/ all day. We have had a nice fall til
F, now.
(! like to 60 to school, My teacher
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19


mile to 60 to school,
l have one sister and two brothers
Their names are Esther, Glen and
Orville.
| hope Sanity Claus will sure visit
me. l want a trunk, nuts and candy.
will close wishing merry Christmas
and happy New Year to all the
Juniors.
Your loving Junior,
Theresa Reeve.
Ottumwa, Iowa,
Dec. Is, 1914.
Dear Santa Claus-For Christmas l
want writing desk and chair ink and
paper.
And pair of skates.
And some toys.
And story book.
And humpty-dumpty circus.
And nuts and candy an fruit.
Gordon Lee, age 8.
Dear Santa Claus-We want you to
come to our house. You came last
Christmas. We were very glad you
came last year. I am little girl
eight years old and I have little
brother years old, his name is Law
renee. / have no papa to look after
US. All have to look after US is my
mamma. She has to work out for us.
And she has no money to give you.
am very sorry she can't help you. We
live with our grandma Will you come
to our house this year. We will be
thankful if you come.
Goodby from
1nza Brainard,
SIS South Ransom, Ottumwa.
Ottumwa. Iowa,
Dec 10, 1914.
Dear Santa Claus-I will write and
tell you what want for Christmas.
want doll and some candy and some
nuts and Santa don't forget to bring me
Junior stocking. l have a little
cousin named Floyd. Be sure and don't
forget him. My little brother, Floyd,
used to write to you on Christmas and
used to write to The Courier Junior,
but he is dead now. He died June II.
My little cousin Kate Shepard lives
with us now. Her mamma got killed
with train the ninth of November
SO Santa don't forget her.
Your little friend,
Beatrice Mark, age 8.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dec. 8, 1914
Dear Juniors-I will write few
lines to the Junior page. go to the
Franklin school. I used to go to the
Adams school, I hope Santa Claus
don't forget me this year. My teachers
name is Miss Willard. l like her fine.
Beatrice Mark is my little cousin, Anna
| Mark is my grandma.
Your little Junior friend.
Katie Sheppard, age II.
1923 Richard and Orchard SITS.
Ottumwa, Iowa,
Dec. 10, 1914.
Dear Santa Claus-I would like a
sled and a gun case and black board.
Some nuts and candy and ball.
Your little friend,
Leroy Collins, age 7.
! 81 N. Jefferson St.
Ottumwa, Iowa,
Dec. 8, 1914.
Dear Santa Claus-Would you please
| bring me a. tool cneSt Win hammer,
saw, and thing to bore holes in wood.
wish you would please bring me a
sword, a soldier game with a rife with
cork. would like awful we'll foot.
bali and an indoor baseball and bat
/ My little sister Kathryn would like to
have a doll and a doll bed. She would
like a piano and piano stool and q
set of tin dishes and big bouncing
ball. We wuold like some candy
aronges and nuts and bananas.
Well goodby, your little friend
Arthur Hickey. Jr.
Rear Santa
/ want fur and muff and a set o
dishes and some nuts and candy l hav'
i a brother years old Please bring hin
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
Dear Santa Claus

Dear Santa Claus
want q muff a blackboard d nurse
doll and candy please don't folv get my
little brother and to take the stockings
that am sending to the stocking club
Elizabeth Warren, age I,
3O3 Chester Ave.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
Stockport, Iowa. Dec. Il. 1914.

Stockport, Iowa, Dec. II, 1914.
Dear Santa Claus:-I am a little
girl Z years old. Please bring me a
little cupboard, little stove, watch,
some candy, bananas and oranges.
This is the first time have ever
written to the Courier Junior.
| remain your friend.
Edith Spencer.
Dear .JuniOrS:-I thought | would
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Yours truly,
Mary Bonwill
Dear Santa Claus II am going to tell
you what l want for Christmas. |
want bicycle and nice one. l will
tell you what color l want. I want
blue. | want some nuts and candy. |
will hang my stocking up so you can
put them in. l would like to have a
watch and chain and writing
desk. You can give me a surprise il
you want to. I am ten years old.
have no sister and brother. VIII you
bring me all the things that write to
you for? l will close.
Goodbye,
Mary Gertrude Lamb.
415 N. Market ST., Ottumwa, Ia.
Dear Santa Claus am little girl
eight years old. go to the Lincoln
school and am in the fourth grade.
Miss Helen Dysart is my teacher.
am going to tell you what want for
Christmas: A desk, Teddy bear, car
rage, baby doll, table, four little
chairs, gloves. story books, telephone.
doll dresses. ring, trunk, bed, and a
pair of house slippers.
Well, goodbye from
Jeanette Maschek,
202 E. Court ST., Ottumwa, Iowa.
Blakesburg, Ia, Dec. 10, 1914.
Dear Juniors will write you a
letter. We are having cold weather.
How many of you Juniors like to slide
down hill? I do.
Christmas will soon be here.
l like to skate.
| want pair of skates for Christ
mas this year.
| think the Christmas Stocking club
is growing rapidly.
What are you Juniors going to do
Christmas?
For Christmas l would like a pair
of skates, a game, pair of leggings,
some candy and nuts.
We are going to have program
Christmas but no Christmas tree.
Well, will close,
Angeline Schoech,
Blakesburg, Iowa
P. S.-Please put my name on the
Christmas Stocking club.
Dudley, Iowa, Dec. ~, 1914.
Dear Editor: This is the first letter
| | have ever written to you.
I go to school. My teachers name
| is Miss Emma Berry. | am in the
sixth grade.
will tell you what want Santa
Claus to bring me Christmas: A
rmanicure set, dress, a coat and a hat
and some candy.
That will be all for this Christmas
and | hope to get al lof these things
l will close for this time, so goodby
Rosie Anderson, Age II.
Dudley, Iowa, Route No. l
Dear Santa Il want some candy
and nuts in my stockings and a big
doll with hair and doll cab anC
please bring mamma something. She
| wants as she won't tell me what she
| wants.
Dorothy Deuser Age s.
Hedrick, Iowa
Stockport, Iowa, Dec. II, 1914,
Dear Santa Claus:-I am little
girl Z years old. Please bring me {
little cupboard, little stove, watch
some candy, bananas and oranges.
! This is the first time I have eve
written to the Courier Junior.
| remain your friend.
Edith Snanrer
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Santa Clause
l want a handkerchief. 1 want a dress
and g. big doll IS inches tall. I want a
new dress for my big sister. l want 4
pair OF stockings, and l want 2 of them
full with oranges and candy and APP
pies fill the other to with Banas. And l
want two boxes Of Handkerchief and
hair ribbon. 1 want a little wagon and
a sled. want a box Of handkerches for
my mother and l want a box with a
dress for my mother l want shaving
cup for my father. 1 want papa big
handkerchies and pipe. want doll
cradle and doll buggie. 1 want a tie
for my papa Dear Santa Claus.
Goodbye santa claus
I will close / love you
Ada Gee age
Queen st.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
Geneve Morrison,
436 Adams St., Ottumwa, Iowa

Dear Juniors As I have not writ
ten before l thought would write a
few lines to Santa Claus as | would
like for him to bring me new mack
NAV and cap.
l hope you will get this letter all
right and give it to Santa Claus.
l will close, hoping to see you soon.
Charles Dickerson, Age TO-
1910 W. Sherman St., Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Santa Claus.
I am going to write you a lettr,
I live on the Ottumwa road. route 8.
! would to have a pair of mittens, a
good book, pony, and candy and nuts
and watch and pair Of over shoes,
your little boy,
from Victor CarriS.
Ottumwa, R. No. 3.
Dear Santa Claus,
I am a little boy years old ] live
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Juniors:-I thought I would
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

next to Hedrick.
l"go to school every day that can I
would like for christmas, a knife and
candy and nuts
| have trid to be a good bov.
am little boy
Ray Hedlund
Hedrick, Iowa.
Dear Santa Clause! I would like to
nave some new hair ribbons and a doll
and muff and fur. have no good hair
rlopon to wear. l would take ANYTHING
you give me. l am nine years OF age
aIn little girl with no papa or
mamma. | have not much money.
nave twin sister. go to school, like
-; ~ 60 70 school. have a brother and he
is fifteen years of age. Ha roas ~
school. l like for Christmas to come
will close for this time.
Esther Mary McMilIen,
Birmingham, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
Dear Santa

Dear Santa
I want Fur and Muff and set of dishes
and & pocketboOk and story book and
some nuts and candy l have little
brother 8 years old he wants a train OF
cars and a horn and some nuts and a
whistle
Verna Spencer
please do not forget me Age 9
Abba Iowa
R r No
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Santa:-I want you to bring
me some candy and doll and buggy
and please send my little sister Mary a
doll and some candy.
Yours truly,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Santa:--I want some candy
and nuts in my stockings and a big
doll with hair and doll cab and
please bring mamma something. She
wants as she won't tell me what she
wants.
Dorothy Deuser, Age s.
Hedrick, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

OttumWa, Ia.
Dear Juniors II am still going to.
school. This is the last week of
school. We have two weeks vaca-
ton. would like to have big doll
with yellow curles, doll cart and a
set of dishes.
Please give this to Santa Claus.
My address is
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

Dear Santa
I will tell you what I want for Xmas
want some drsesses for my big dollle
and a coat to if you have any. and
some candy and nuts if you have any
good-by from
Myrtle Staubur age years
Douds Iowa
box no 26
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19
Ottumwa, Iowa,

:
/ want fur and muf and set Of
dishes and some nuts and candy l have
a brother years old Please bring him
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-08-25

: Jap Embassy Escaped.
UNITED Press Leased Wire Service
THE HAGUE, Aug. 25.-The entire
staff OF the Japanese embassy at Ber-
lin reached here today.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-08-25
Y. M. c. A. ITEMS

Mr.. Durgee, who succeeds H. F..
Burns as general secretary of the
local Y. NJ. G. A., Is expected to ar
rive In Keokuk this evening or to-
morrow morning, and will assume the
regular duties Of his position next
Tuesday. Ben D. Chapman, retiring
secretary of the boys department,
who has been practically in charge Of
the affairs of the association for sew
eral days, will leave Keokuk Friday
evening or Saturday morning for
Cedar Rapids, where he will spend a
day or two and proceed to Clinton,
where he assumes the duties of his
new position OF boys secretary of the
association in that city.
The new secretary will no doub. be
well pleased with the condition OF
things here, as Mr.. Burns left all the
affairs Of his position in excellent
shape and Mr.. Chapman has been
busily engaged since his return from
camp and since Mr.. Burns departure
in further diligence and hard work in
getting everything in order and neat
ly arranged for the reception OF the
new general secretary,