davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
Grandmammas Donkey.

There were once two little boys called Harry and Arthur, who went into the country to pay a visit to their grandmamma. Now, grandmamma kept donkey, which she called Ned dy, and he used to draw a little don key cart.
 Harry and Arthur were delighted with Neddy and used to go out every day riding him.
 One day a funny thing happened. Arthur was on the donkey and Harry was walking behind with his nurse Suddenly Master Neddy Iay down on the ground and nurse had only time to pull Arthur off before the donkey began to roll over in the dust.
 When he had had enough, he got up and began to eat some missiles that were growing by the side of the road. Donkeys will eat thistles, though they are prickly.
 Their grandmother said the boys must not ride on Neddy, hereafter, as they might get hurt, but they could go in the donkey cart.
 The next day they went out driving in the cart and Neddy did another funny thing. A boy was driving the cart and nurse, Harry and Arthur were inside, when Neddy began to galIop. The cart was overturned into ditch full of hrambles and pricl1ly brushes.
 They were not much hurt, but very much scratched and their clothes were torn. They did not laugh as much this time.
 In spite Of Neddy's pranks, he was very funny donkey-don't you think so?
 Harry and Arthur were fond of him and used to feed him with carrots and were sorry when they had to go home. Grandmamma said they might come again and see her, when she hoped Neddy would behave. Neddy's pranks sometimes were of service A gypsy tried to steal him, but when Neddy came to the side of the brook where the bank was steep, he made a sudden stop and the thief went over his head into the water. Grandmamma said people would think they had been teasing the cat when they saw their scratched hands and faces.
 Harry laughed and said he would tell them it was grandmamma's don key.
 LOUISE DEMUTH, Age 10. Baltic
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
The woodeutter's Daughter.

Bessie Ray is a little woodcutter's daughter. Her father cuts down trees in the woods and Bessie has been out to carry him his dinner. It is very cold day and Bessie has set down her basket for a moment while she tries to warm her hands with her breath, for the poor child has no mittens on.
 One day last winter, as Bessie was on her way out of the woods, 1t be- gan to snow and she could not find the path she ought to take. She walk ed this way and that, but the snow was so thick that it covered the paths and she could not tell which was the right one.
 "What shall I do?" thought she. Tt is growing dark; night is coming on; and the snow whirls thick and fast over the ground. It is more than a mile home, and I cannot find the way" But this brave little girl did not sit down and cry. She thought she would do the best she could. She knew there was a loS-hut nearby, where some times the men went to cook and eat their dinners.
 After a long search she found thts hut And now she thought If can only find a match to light a fire need not freeze to death, even if l have to stay here all night"
 So Bessie looked about till she found some matches. and then she kindled a fire on the hearth. And she found a pail in which were some potatoes. T shall not starve," thought Bessie. "I'll cook these for my supper" Soon she sat down on a log bench and fell asleep. She was awakened by Glad enough were they to be together once more.
 VERONICA ROCHELEAU, Age IA. North Franklin.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
A Stranna PeopIe.

Dear Uncle Jed: Long ago. when white men first began to make their homes in America, a strange people were found living in many parts of our land. These people were called Indians. or Red Men.
 The Indians had many queer ideas. The3r ways of living were quite differ ent from those of white men. Their thoughts and beliefs were different, too.
 Some Indians thought that the wind was caused by the wings of a large bird, getting ready to fly.
 Tho sun they said. hears and sees all things.
 The moon, they thought, was an old woman who never died. She watched over all that was done, and no one could do anything that she did not see.
 The Indians also told time by the moon. They told time, too, by the stars.
 They always knew where the differ cnt clusters of stars were in the sky. Some said that the stars were men and women in the happy hunting grounds. Others believed them to be fairy creatures in a far off world.
 A shooting star was supposed to bring evil and the northern lights were said by some to be the Gods and Bookcases of war.
 MARGUERITE KEENAN,, Age II.
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
Our Indians,

Some of our Indians still live in Arizona and New Mexico.
 They dress in deer skins and wear waists and skirts. They wear their hair in long braids and they wear moc- casins. Their tents are made of deer skins and at the top there is a hole for chimney. They take babies and put them in cradles and hang them on trees. They go riding out in canoes and fish and hunt They always got up early on winter mornings and made the fire by rub ping two dry sticks together till they 1 burst into a blaze. After all work was done. they made suits for. their children of deer skin or wove baskets out of grass or made moccasins.
 The Indians had no roads-they had footpaths. They made them as we do, by going over the same place over and 1 over.
 When they kill a deer they go home | without it, and scatter leaves on their way. Then they send their wives for | it. They make all their weapons and they shoot with bows and arrows. Their color is like an old piece of copper. They speak different lam They cultivate land and raise corn, beans, pumpkins and tobacco. | The men never do any work, but
 plenty of fighting. | 1ne women noe all the COTn anu lO | bacco with clamshen hoes. | The men had but a few things that
 they made themselves-canoes and bows and arrows. When anyone was sick they would | go there and dress themselves in rude l clothes.
 Then they put horns on their heads
 to drive the sickness away. l think | u at was foolish. When the white men came there | they wanted to cut down trees and | plant. But the Indians didn't like it | because they could not hunt game. 1 The Indians showed the white men | how to plant corn and how to make il | grow.
 | Today it is the greatest crop in the | world, and it has made some of us very rich.
 Columbus gave them their name In | dians because he thought he had found | the Indies.
 IRENE VONASEK, Age F. | West Wilmington.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
Our New Home,

We like our new home very much. We have a long walk to school. but don't mind that because we have fun playing in the snow.
 There is a lovely dining room oppo- site the kitchen with folding doors leading to the parlor. There is an imi- tation fireplace with a picture of a camel in the desert.
 We also have a cement cellar and it is very warm. We press the button on the top of the cellar stairs and the electric lights come on down cellar Our cat enjoys sitting by the furnace
 When my father gets up in the morning and goes down cellar to look at the furnace. our little guinea pig will cry for her breakfast. and I will carry a saucer of milk My! How she will Chirp. Now when I go down cellar he will be ris$ after my heels. He is very tame and the cat and pig drink milk together.
 MILDRED E. WHITE, Age 14 Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE.
 INTAKES.

Uncle Jed wishes all of the Wide Awakes a Merry Christmas. As this is Christmas week, every writer of a letter fortunate enough. to have a letter in print will be given a book
 This is not a week of competition, but a week of good will. and Uncle Jed wishes the good fortune extended to many more. The Wide-Awakes deserve more than they receive, but there has to be limit to every good work
 The book is nothing compared to the training, the careful writing and ac- curate spelling of the words and the well assembling of thoughts or ideas. This is character building and some thing money cannot buy. All individ- ual accomplishments are the result of study and practice and the children of r,ch parents must work as hard to ac- quire skill in any kinG of pleasure or employment as the children of poor parents.
 Acquiring skill in small things is the road to the mastery of greater things; and masterful achievements are made easy by the complete mastery of the little details in life
 It is pleasant to win a book, but it is more valuable to become ready and thoughtful writer
 The Wide-Awalles do well, and Uncle Jed hopes not one of them will be dis appointed on Christmas day.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
Good Habits.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell the "Wide-Awakes'' the value of good habits.
 One day Charles Brown, young boy who had just finished grammar school. applied for a position as errand boy in a busy city office.
 When he entered the business mans office he asked: Have you ever worked in an office before?'
 ''No, sir" replied the boy.
 Were you a bright boy in school and quick at figures?" asked the man.
 Not very. sir. but I tried hard" re- piled the boy.
 ''Hunph," said the man. frowning I'm very much afraid you won't do for us. You haven't had any expert ence and you say you aren't quick al figures. What can you offer me?"
 Good habits" replied the boy promptly.
 The mans face frightened and he smiled pleasantly at the boy.
 "Well said. young man." said the man. laying his hand on the boys shoulder. 'I guess you'l do for us aft CT all. Anyway, we'll give you Q chance"
 This shows that the boy who is pleasant arp1 willing and has had gooC habits, is pretty sure to succeed ir whatever he tries to do.
 I wish all the "Wide-Awakes'' . Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
 ESTHER SHERSEvSKY, Age Il.
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23

Mamie, much relieved that Robbie did not laugh. Let us both call up the chimney now and ask Father Christ mas if he will send us one"
 So Robbie and Mamie both shouted Up the chimney together, and what a noise they did make! This is what trey said:
 Please, Father Christmas, we should like lovely big goose for Christmas instead of a present for our stock ings.''
 T wonder if he 'heard?" said Robbie ard Mamie together
 But Father Christmas did hear. For
 there was a tiny little fairy listening al: the time, and she caught the mes- sage ln one of her wings mad flew right away there and then to givte it to Santa Claus. The next morning Robbie and Mamie ran out into the garden, and what do you think they saw? "Oh, oh." cried Mamie. "Oh, oh!" cried Robbie. It has come" they both said to- gether. And there, waddling about on the grass, was a large goose she said:
 Well. we must give it something to
 So Robbie and Mamie fed it not only that morning, but every morning, by ana by this goose became very tame, and was soon the pet of the ] family. T am afraid we shall never have him for dinner now" said Robbie. "Oh, no" answered Mamie, T could 1 not bear to eat him, he is such a dar- ling"
 So they kept him, and gave him the
 name of John Willie. And now" said Uncle John. "if YOU are good, I will take you to see this strange pet some fine day. You will see it going for a walk with it's master. It sometimes walks along beside him for a long way, with | a slow, stately tread | "Or you may see it sitting on it's | masters shoulder while he sits and reads. Tt will also feed out of your hand 1 as dainty as-well. as a goose can" What a jolly story!" said Tommy T wish I had a goose," said Willie The Children's Paper.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
A REAL CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

Have you ever heard of anyone having real live goose for pet?" said Uncle John to Willie and Tommy. "Oh! Do tell us all about it, uncle" said Tommy.
 Now these two little boys loved to hear a nice story; and whenever their uncle came to stay with them they made him promise to come to their nursery every evening and tell them story
 We'll said Uncle John, when they had settled down, this is a true story that I am going to tell you tonight I know it is true because I saw the goose not very long ago, and very funny he did look with his But I must begin at the beginning"
 In a country village not very far from the seaside lived a little boy and girl with their father and mother.
 Now these people were very, very poor
 It was drawing very near to Christ mas time, and they were thinking of all the nice presents and things that little boys like you would be sure to get on Christmas morning.
 Said Robbie, for that was the boys name, to his sister:
 Mamie, do you think Father Christ mas will bring Us anything this year ?'' q do hope SOL said Mamie. q have tried to be good"
 What you'd you like?" said Rob- bic.
 Well" said Mamie, who was think ing hard, T think I should like some thing. that we could all share-fat ther and mother as wen.''
 'But what could that be?" asked Robbie in surprise.
 well. have thought of something, ,' said Mamie, "but I am afraid you will laugh at me if tell yor."
 "Oh no, I won't!" cried Robbie. Do tell me what 1t iS'
 q shall tell you" said Mamie, If you promise faithfully not to laugh" tI promise faithfully" answered Robbie.
 Well" Mamie went on, T thought trat I should like Father Christmas to send me a goose, and then we could all have it for dinner on Christmas day.
 sThat would be jolly" said Robbie. What g. surprise father and mother would getE"
 "Yes, that is what I thought" said
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
The Community Christmas Tree.

It was a very cold morning and the Boy Scouts had met. They had a very busy morning. They were to decide where to go after the Christmas tree.
 There was a forest fire last night, 9 said Ray Martin
 Speaking of forest fires" said Bruce. did. any of you see the light up by the mountain last night? We'll Pop and l thought it was some refiec- tion of the sky"
 After this conversation they decided to go over to the mountain.
 In about half an hour the boys were or their way. After about an hours walk they entered the forest. They had gone only little way when they 5melled fire. They came to a clearing an was weeping because her house had burned down to the ground.
 Now" said Bruce, some of you fellows take off your sweaters and some of you cut long poles."
 After this was done. they made a stretcher.
 We will take this woman to the hospital, and you fellows will get the tree. Get a thirty-footer if you can,' said Bruce.
 School let out next day at noon and the boys had the tree in the square They set it up and went off for the wire and lights. Bruce's father let him take Blossom, the horse.
 The boys had just returned with the last load of colOred lights when Bruce looked up the street and saw a run away. The boys had just got the last box of colored lights out of the wagon Men and boys were waving and shout ing at the horse.
 Get into the wagon, quick, Bud!" shouted Bruce, and he started Blossom after the runaway.
 The runaway was about 100 yards ahead. Blossom was gaining all the time.
 The boys noticed that the harness was broken and was skipping the horse on the side every step he took.
 When l tell you to jump, you jump
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23

ceptable than the elaborate present hastily bought and regretfully sent.
 They will know that a blossoming plant to the lonely soul whose hunger for flowers can only be satisfied by the flecttng beauty Of the florists window will be a joy; that an unexpected gift will delight the girl who treads the dull path of necessity; that a simple toy given to toyless children carries a pathetic value beyond It's just propor- tion.
 If they would truly know the real joy of Christmas let them open their hearts and send forth love and friend ship, and they will find, no matter how meager their purse, their gifts will make people happy.
 MICHAEL J. BURNS, Age IA.
 Fritchville
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
A chiId.s Christmas Wish.

Dear Uncle Jed: Once there was a little boy who knelt by his mothers knee and prayed in his childish way. for his dear soldier father. clad in gray. fighting night and day and fighting for fame and victory.
 He thought he might come at Christ mas tide. Come over the long divide and over the weary miles so wide through the wintry night.
 Thi, is what he said: "Oh, God give my papa back. For he's more to me then toys. More than boxes of soldier boys. He'd be my greatest of Christmas joys A joy I'm loath to lack. "SO when he's wounded by shells ol
 rocks,
 Dear God. please listen to me. You are so high that you can see, And pick my paDa out for me; Make papa my Christmas box"
 ANNA LA ROCHE, Age F.
 Versa files
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
What Saw On My Way to School

As l was going to school Wednesday l met my friend and he said: Let us wait for sleigh and have a ride to school" As I was waiting I looked at the trees They seemed like balls of diamonds.
 The snoT was so hard that we could walk on it without breaking it The wind blew and it was getting cold CT and colder and my fingers were cold and so was l. My brother came along and he said we better be hurrying be- cause it was after one o'clock, and if we didn't hurry up we would be late for school, so we got out of the sleigh and ran as fast as we could go.
 Just as my brother and my friend and I were entering the school yard the bell rang, and of course I had to go in school.
 EARL WHITE, Age 10.
 Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
The Lost Doll,

l once had a sweet little doll, dears, The prettiest doll in the world; Her cheeks were so red and white,
 dears, And her hair was so charmingly
 curled. But I lost my poor little doll, dears, As l played on the heath one day; And l cried for her more than a week,
 dears,
 But I never could find where she lay. l found my poor little doll, dears, As l played on the heath one day. Folks say she is terribly changed,
 dears,
 For her paint is all washed away. And her arms trodden off by the cows,
 dears,
 And her hair not the least bit curled; let for old sake's sake, she is still,
 dearS,
 The prettiest doll in the world.
 Charles Kingsley.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
A Little Squirrel.

Dear Uncle Jed: One day as I was coming down Union street saw a boy in the park. He was calling Here cheep! Here cheep!" I was wondering what he was calling for.
 Then I saw a little squirrel with the cutest bushy tail. The squirrel came halfway down the tree. The boy had a nut and was trying to have the equirreI come and get it.
 The boy was not going to harm the squirrel at all. So finally the squirrel came the rest of the way and took the nut out of his hand with his mouth. Then the squirrel went up the tree and ate the nut; very cute indeed.
 ROSE DRISCOLL, Age 8.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
on the horses back and stop him"

or the horses back and stop him."
 Jump now!'' cried Bruce.
 Bud landed on the shaft and got on the horse's back and stopped him about 20 yards from the railroad track where the freight train was passing slowly by.
 Christmas eve the old woman, the young woman and the little girl were sitting in the grandstand listening to the band and hearing the children singing. They stayed there until all the lights on the Christmas tree went out and they and the Boy Scouts went home cheerfully.
 WILLIAM F. EATON, Age 12.
 Central Village.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23

it lay and toyously ran up the hill where a throng of children were col lected, waiting to slide down the hill.
 Soon they had a hard and slippery track, along which sleds flew at great speed. Robert enjoyed this sport until dark, when he finally remembered that he was hungry He went home and had his supper.
 Every day, after school Robert en- joyed himself immensely, by sliding down the hill; until one day heavy rainfall came and melted the snow.
 Robert felt disappointed for he could not go sleighriding before another snowfall.
 FRANCES RYSHPAN. Age F.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
She Saw Santa Claus,

Dear Uncle Jed: I was surprised when I woke mp Tuesday morning to find the ground covered with snow So I thought Santa Claus will have enough snow, to come in his sleigh drawn bv his reindeers, and I hope he will not fCr-et me.
 las. Saturday I went to see him in the store And he shook hands with me, and asked me what I wanted.
 I told him. and he promised he would not forget me. and I hope he won't I hope he will not forget Uncle Jed.
 Mex, time I will tell you in the next letter what he brought me.
 ANNA RETHEOSkE, Age &.
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
Christmas GiVina.

Already the stores are crowded with people looking for suitable gifts for their loved ones. Everyone is rush ing eager to spend their money. The persons who want to feel the sweet Christmas spirit will make up their mind to give from their heart, and not merely from the purse.
 They will realize that a simple re- membrance well chosen, sent to a friend who has already an abundance of this worlds gifts will be more &C.,
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
Dorothy's Dream.

It was Christmas eve and little Dor othy lay in bed thinking of what Santa Claus would put in her stocking Sud- denly the door opened and in came the Queen of the Fairies, followed by her two constant companions, Fairy Molly and Fairy Lily. Carrying Her Majesty's train was a little green elf
 Good evening, Dorothy" said the Queen, come and have a game with us''
 Dorothy sprang out of bed and they all sat before the fire.
 What shall we play at?" said the Queen.
 "A Christmas limerick" shouted ev- erybody.
 Very we'll" said the Queen. T will give prize to the one who adds the best line to this limerick:
 There is an old man, fat and jolly, Who comes with plum pudding and
 holly;
 know his name
 And you do the same
 Please, Santa Claus don't forget Molly" said Molly. Some people think presents are fol- ly,'' said Lily.
 T want some sweets, oh golly!" shouted the elf Please bring, me a dear little dol
 Who is to get the prize?' said the Queen.
 Dorothy! Dorothyi" And Dorothy awoke, to find her mother calling her to get up. When she looked in her stocking she found large doll, which she always says was the prize for the Christmas linn erick.
 ROSE ALMA DBMUTH, Age 14. Baltic.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
Bacteria.

Dear Uncle Jed: Bacteria is small sort of plant or animal. as it might be called. which lives in the ground. II likes alkaline soil best to live in, which is made of potash and ammonia, It decays dead plants and animals and turns them into a rich soil for other plants to grow in.
 Bacteria is also found in legumes which are vegetables, clover. and peas
 There is another kind of soil which is called acid soil. This soil is hard ly any good, therefore we should test tho two kinds of soil before planting crons.
 The easiest way to test soil Is to cut a little hole in the ground and put a piece of blue litmus paper in it. If the paper turns red. the soil is acid. If the paper turns blue or purple, the soil is alkaline.
 BARNEY HERMAN. Age 13.
 Yantic.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
SIeiqhinq.

Oh! dear, I wish it would snow," sighed Robert. Just because Uncle Jim made me a present of new sled 1t won't snow" This Robert said on Monday.
 While going to school on Wednesday Robert felt something gently falling on his face.
 Why, it feels like snow!" he mur- mured. The flakes fell repeatedly on his whole countenance, for sure enough it was snow.
 Robert felt a nervous strain all dur ing school time. Lessons were a bore that fateful Wednesday, to him.
 The day seemed endless to him, but finally to his delight the gong rung and Robert hurriedly ran home. He grabbed his sled from the corner where
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-23
Rules for Young Writers.

l. Write plainly on one side of the paper only, and number the pages. 2. Use pen and ink, not pencil. 3. Short and pointed articles will 250 words.
 4. Original stories or letters only will be used.
 5. Write your name, age and ad- dress plainly at the bottom of the story.
 Address all communications to Uncle Jed. Bulletin Omce.
 Whatever ycu are-Be that!
 Whatever you say-Be true!
 Straightforwardly act,
 Be honest-in fact,
 Be nobody else but you"