davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
The Ball and a Ton

Dear Uncle Jed: One day a ball and a top met in a drawer. The top said to the ball:
 Hello! Who are you? Are you a stranger. You were not here before.'
 The ball answered, 'Yes, was brought here yesterday"
 The top said: Well, as we are alone, why not be better acquainted?"
 Indeed" said the ball, T will be |very pleased to-"
 q will tell you my story" said the ball. "One day as I was growing in the woods, some men came and cut me down and brought me to a saw mill where I was sawed into lumber. was then taken to another factory and turned into a top. Then an iron spur was put into me, I was painted red and yellow and packed into box with many other tops. When the box was opened I was put into window and was there for many days, watch ing the people go by.
 "One day a boy came into the store and bought me and brought me here and have been here ever since.'' T will now tell you my story,' said the ball. T was on the back of a calf, who was killed, then I was brought to the tannery, and the tanner made me into a ball. A rubber cork was put inside of me and I was paint ed blue and green. Just then the drawer was opened and the top was taken out.
 The ball never had a chance to tell the top her story.
 BERTHA BEDARD, Age g. Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
pashina Paul Jones,

Pau1 Jones was an Englishman, but he fought for America He had a smaI ship. The English thought that with so small vessel they would soon make him a prisoner. He fought many battles with bis little ship. Es- sex.
 One day Paul Jones got new ves- sei, the Bon Homme Richard. He soon had a chance to light with it. He met a British ship. The Serapis was gaining the fight and the commander said: T hate to take that com nander alive. he is too brave to be hanged"
 The British asked: Do you give
 "NoY We are just beginning to fight, was the reply from Paul Jones.
 But you know you can't wfn," said the British commander. The ships came together. There was heavy firing on each side. One across the vessel.
 Where are you going" said Paul Jones.
 T am going to find Jimmy" said the man.
 Just then he saw something nov asked
 "Yes,' came a faint voice. | What are you dofng?" asked the man. Dying, said Jimmy.
 The man picked him up and took him to the hospital.
 He will be all right in a little while," said the surgeon later.
 Paul Jones always went to the hos pital to see the wounded. What you here, Jimmy " he said Yes was the reply.
 'tHow did you get wounded?'' asked Paul Jones.
 q did 1t myself" said Jimmy. By accident. but I did 1t. I crawIed on the British ship and caused an ex- pfosfon and was blown into the wa ter" The commander went on deck and the men had already bearded the Serapis and made the crew surrend- CT. The commander of the Serapis said, T give up fighting tigers I will re- signa" The people all cheered. FRANCIS BUSSE, Age 1s.
 West Wilmington.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
He died in 1885, brave and noted general.
 MIRIAM E. CHURCH, Age 12. Uncasville.
The Sewing Club.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would write and tell you about the sewing club which I belong to. There are about twenty three girls who go to the sewing club. We have made a sewing bag, hold CT, cooking cap, an apron, sleeve pro- tectors and a dish towel. We have also learned how to darn a stocking, to mend and how to put a. patch on a garment.
 There are fourteen girls who go to the cooking club. It is divided into two classes. One class sews while the other cooks.
 We have cards every week to write down the things which we have cooked during the week. At the end of the week our teacher adds them up and puts gold stars on them
 We have made many kinds of food up to the cooking club. I like to cook. l have cooked most of the food which the teacher has taught the class to make.
 BERTHA A. FULLER, Age II.
 Eagleville.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
HLost in the Woods"

One day we thought we would go on fishing trip. So we got our rods, lines, and lunches and started out at half past seven in the morning. We got to the pond near the COW path.
 We fished all day till half past four in the afternoon, when we decided to go home.
 We started to go away from the pond. We could not find the COW patch. We were lost. We then started off in the direction which we thought might lead to the road.
 Oh, there were stumps, brooks, hills and everything to go over and through. I got my feet wet in cross ing a brook. My friend dropped his fish can containing IA fish in brook. Of course they swam away. But at last we reached the road.
 Then it was already about three quarters of mile home
 It was already dark when we reach ed the farmhouse.
 We had my fish for supper. Then we told our story. We did not think we would go fishing in that pond right away again. HERBERT CARLSON, Age 12.
 Baltic.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
ETTERs OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Clara Allen, of Versailles-I re- wed the prize book you sent me f writing a story. The name of the ok Is, The Motor Boat Club. I thank u very, very much. I like it real II.
 lay Danahy, of Norwich-Thanlz | very much for the prize book you Ut me, entitled, Tom Swift and His lbmarine Boat I have read it and Ind it very interesting.
 Michael J. Burns, of FitchvilIe-T re- ived the prize book you sent me. l ve read some of it and find it very eresting. I thank you very much. Mary A. BurriII. of Stafford Springs Iany thanks for the lovely prize lk entitled Tom Swift and His Elec-
 Runabout. I have started to read nd like it very much.
 iith w. Hathaway, of Bozrahville
 hank you very much for the prize ; < you sent me, entitled, Palace Q, utifuL I have read part of it and q it very interesting.
 Molly Paley of Colchester: I thank | ever so much for the prize book rich you sent me. have read it, and ike it.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
THE POOL

The Pool is putting on a new dress. at is, the patterns were chosen last r, the new material procured, cut, de into form, and then packed away il now. The prevailing color is en, but the patterns are as variable size and form as the leaves of a est can be.
 a one of the late chapters I used word "cell'' freely. Was it under od? That in a strictly scientific SC that it is applied to what a few rs ago was known as the smallest ton of organized matter?
 Ow we have struck another root. at is meant by organized matter ?" Friting these chapters reminds me he time 1 first settled on a claim in Wisconsin belt of hardwood tim lands and attempted to blow a lit piece of land that had lately been red of the trunks and limbs of the s, but not all the stumpS. It was Iestion which was the most batter jerked round, yanked about, the 5 the team or myself. My ribs ache
 when 1 think about it.
 ut what is organized matter?'' O can explain it in their own lan- ge to Uncle Jed2
 shall also use the word cell as the te of a compartment into which s are divided. The double mean Is unfortunate, but a Wide Awake Ter will be on the lookout and thus rInine what Grandpa Lowater IS from the other words used.
 I said, The Pool is being becom- dressed in green. Each apart house is being painted anew. Ap- ntly the mayor and common coun- ave ordered a general cleaning up painting-up weekh Anyhow, na- has her forces at work and the in- tants who have lately returned
 the south have joined with the -at-homes in the active work of emaking.
 word was sent round build and has met with a general ap-
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06

proval and action.
 Make home beautiful" is another thought that has the approval of Dame Nature, and plans are already laid to carry the matter into the resident dis tricts without delay.
 Now how are the slzyscrapers of The Pool painted? There are many steeple climbers, to be sure, but none who would loan their brush for the work of painting.
 There are all sorts and sizes of aero planes provided with natural power that can and do pass over the tallest apartment, yet they do not care a feather what color is used, or how it is put on, so long as they can use these apartments at low rent. Yet, the color is there, growing deeper and deeper, and how it gets there is what would like to talk about. To do this correctly, we need to uD- derstand several things and learn their names:
 Organs. 2-Transpiration. 3-Organs of transpiration. 4-Where are those organs located? 5-HoW are the organs protected? 6-Amount Of transportation. 7-Efects of transpiration,
 S-Causes of transportation. As for 1, all any Wide-Awake has to remember is that organ is a general name for any part of @ living thing set apart to do certain work Alice: Then, Grandpa, my heart is an organ?
 Certainly; so is a leaf, as all plants have organs as well as animals While we are about it, let me call our Wide-Awakes' attention to what an organ does. How am to name what the heart or leaf does? Who can tell Again, do you young people think spiders, flies, worms and birds, or toads have organs? Have the garden beets organs? Do Uncle Jed's dahhas have organs9
 GRANDE.ATEzEzR 1QMlATRR.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE
 AWAkES.
The Blacksmith of Rasenbaeh.

One afternoon in early autumn. about twenty years ago, a party of men and women were chatting and laughing in the tavern room of Ragen- bach, little village in Germany. The village blacksmith was one of the merry company. He was a good natured man, with a kind, honest face, and greatly liked by the people. His arms were like bars of Iron. his hands large and powerful, and he was as noted for his strength as for his good temper.
 He sat near the entrance talking with a neighbor when all at once the door swung back and a large, pow erful dog staggered into the room. Its head hung down. its eyes were blood shot; it's breast was fiecked with foam, and it's Iead-co1ored tongue loil- ed halfway out of his mouth.
 No sooner had the smiths neigh bor set eyes on the beast than he turn ed deathly pale and exclaimed. "The dog is madi'.
 The little room was quite full. and the only means of egress was the door before which the rabid animal now stood. It snapped, savagely. right and left, and to attempt to pass 1t meant a sure and terrible death.
 Horror was stamped on every face. Strong men thought of their wives; mothers, of their children. WEE was to deliver them from this danger?
 Amid all this tumult the smith alone stood still and fearless. He saw the anguish of the people; and as he thought how many families might be made desolate in a few minutes, he resolved to save them if he could. Stepping forward. he said in his deep, strong voice, as quietly as if death did not stare him in the face Back, every one of youl Some one must die to save the others. Let me be that
 
 no one move until I seize it. Then, while I have 1t securely in my grasp, let everyone leave the room" Scarcely. had he finished speaking when the rabid animal rushed at the terrified, shrieking people. The smith seized it in his iron grasp, and dash ed it to the floor. A terrible struggle followed.
 The dog bit furiously on every side. It's long teeth tore the arms and thighs of the heroic man, who never for an l instant relaxed his hold. Regardless alike of the pain and the horrible death that was sure to ensue, he held the snapping, bowling brute until ev- feryone had escaped. He then flung the half strangled beast from him, dashing it against the wall, and left the room, locking the door after him. A shot through the window disposed of the dog.
 The grateful people fioclzed around their preserver, thanking him for his noble deed. while weeping at the thought that he had saved their lives at the sacrifice of his own "Grieve not for me-" he said. "l have only done my duty" l Madness seized the heroic man, and after suffering some days. death came | to his relief.
 The blacksmith died, but his memory will live and be venerated from gen. eration to generation. Nowhere in his- tory can there be found the record of a deed more glorious and sublime than that of the blacksmith of Ragenbach. | MAY DANAHY, Age 13. l Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
How He Spends His Vacation.

Dear Uncle Jed: When our school closes I go with my father to Hartford every week. When we come to Hart ford, we sell our goods and on the next day we start for home.
 It is a trip of 30 miles. We start Wednesday and come back Thursday evening.
 When we come back my father and cultivate the corn, hoe the potatoes and do all the work on the farm.
 I have many pets which I like to play with.
 When school starts again go there every day on my bicycle. When come home from school I feed my chickens and doves. I have joined two clubs, the Potato and Corn clubs. The supervisor of agriculture is MT. Brundage, who is a very kind man.
 When our school stops, he makes picnics for us, and shows us how to play many kinds of sports.
 LOUIS POLLOCK, Age I3.
 EagleVille,
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
Tom and the Sugar.

 Little Tom was very fond of sweets He always ate jam at lunch until his mother took the jar away from him When he had hot milk to drink, he filled the cup half full of sugar. At Christmas and on his birthday he would say, Don't give me toys I'd rather have candy than anything else"
 One day Tom was in the kitchen when the grocer's boy brought in a basket of packages. Tom saw his mother fill a wooden box with fine sugar. and set it away in the pantry. Give me some sugar, please, n1oth- er,'' he said.
 "No," said his mother; I am going to put & stop to your eating so much sugar. It is not good for you But I will give you piece of bread and butter"
 T don't want bread and butter. " said Tom. feeling very cross, in- every we'll" said his mother, going out of the kitchen. Tom was left with the cook. who soon went down cellar to skim the
 milk Tom stepped softly into the pantry and raised the lid of the sugar box. How nice and white the sugar Iookedt
 Tt won't hurt me to eat 5rIt 1it- tle." thought Tom. So he seized a handful Of sugar and CrOWQed It Into his mouth. Just as he had finished eating it, he heard his mothers steps in the hall. He ran out of the pam
 try as she came in.
 Have you been at the sugar, Tom q she asked.
 Tom was frightened. If he told the truth he feared he'd be punished; SC he told a story. T was just looking at it," he said T didn't take a bit" His mother did not say a word. She took him by the shoulder and led him into the par1or where there was 8 long mirror. Tom looked in, and saw that the whole front of his navy blue flannel waist was covered with fine sugar. He began to cry. You see, your waist told on you,' said his mother You ought to be punished, but I will tell you a little story instead, for I don't think you ever told a faIsehood before. and hope you never will again.
 She then drew Tom to her knee. and told him the story of George Wash ington and the cherry tree. She ask ed him if he would not try to be as good and truthful a boy as George Tom cried harder than ever then; and promised that he would never tell an- other fa1seheod, and don't think he ever did.
 ADELLE DEMUTH, Age A. Baltic
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
head. but 1t did not ny off the autono-

head. but 1t did not ny off the autono- bile.
 When we came to Stafford we went to the garage. It is called the Hud- son garage. Then we went through most all the stores. We bought slip pers. Then we went to the Ice cream store and had some chocolate ice cream soda.
 We then went to a candy store. When we came there one boy was there. He dropped the money and my friend thought it was my sister so she said, Can't you be carefuI7"
 When she looked around she saw it was the boy.
 Then we went out and met my friends mother. As we were walking along my youngest sister dropped all her candy on the sidewalk. She was angry enough to cry, but we gave her some of ours, so she stopped.
 We walked by the Stafford bank. up past Needham's hotel and then walked through the park.
 When we were tired we cams back to the garage and rode home.
 AGNES KIECAK, Age 12.
 West Wilmington.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
Rulss for Youna Wrftefs.

1. Write plainly on one side Of the ,aper only, and number the pages. Use pen and ink. not pencil. =. 2. Short and pointed articles will q given preference. Do not use over 50 words.
 4. Original stories or letters only 5ill be used.
 5. Write yC-- name. age and ad- dress plainly at the bottom Of the story.
 Address all communications ito Uncle Jed Bulletin Office.
 "Whatever you are-Be that!
 Whatever you say-Be true!
 Straightforwardly act,
 Be konest-in fact,
 Be nobody else buts you"
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
A Rrave Rox Seoul.

boy named Ernest Smith was walking down the street the other day, when he saw smoke pouring from the window of a house not far away. Ernest is only twelve years old, but he is a Boy Scout, and has learned to think and to act quickly. When he of any who might need his help. This is how he tells his story:
 T saw smoke coming from a win dow and jumped over six fences to get to the place. I climbed up the fire ladder to the window and, seeing a woman and baby on the floor with their clothing burning, I pulled my coat around me and erawled in. put out the flames on the woman and baby with a blanket. The woman had caught fire putting oil in a stove When I got the fire out, got bot tie of sweet oil out of a box on a fire escape a couple of doors away. put the oil on the baby and all over the lady. Then the policeman came One of them measured me and said T was three feet high. That's all there is to it"
 Ernest is very modest in telling of the brave rescue which he made that day. But he has not been overlook ed, for he has received two medals one of silver and another of gold, as a reward for his bravery and skill in saving that mother and child from a terrible death.
 HATTIE PERKINS, Age 15 Colchester,
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06

mer came 1t was harvesting time. There was grain to carry to the mill and market. The mule had to work from early morn until late at night. The mule said:
 "This is terrible can hardly wait until autumn
 But autumn time was the harvest of all The mule had to carry a lot of wood. The mule said:
 "5ow I long for wfnterl It is the pieasaHtest season of all the year.
 GRACE A. BURRILL, Age 10.
 Stafford Springs
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
A Visit to London.

Dear Uncle Jed: One day my moth CT asked me if I wanted to go to Lon- don. Of course I said yes. So the next day we packed our trunks and started for London.
 While we were crossing the ocean storm arose and the ship was tossed from side to side. Well, anyway, we got to London safe and sound
 We stayed at my aunt's house, who was very glad to see us. The next day after our arrival we all went out to see the sights. We went around the city in an automobile.
 We saw the Tower of London" and, oh, ever so many other large buildings When we got back, we were indeed very tired after our trip.
 The next day we went to the theatre which I enjoyed very much. That night we left for home which we reached after six days and nights.
 MARIE AGNES SHEA, Age II. Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
How to Make Birch-,Bark Match
 Scratchers,

foW 10 Mako 6lrcn-6afk Matcn Scratchers.
 Dear Uncle Jed and wide-Awakes: Our mothers are housekeeping and fixing mp neat and clean and are changing around their pictures. I will send in an odd way for making match Iscratchers. made from bil oh bark. A stiff piece of cardboard is re- quired for the foundation of the first one and this is covered with a piece of birch bark. A wal1-po cket of birch bark is sewed to the square with baby
 ribbon, and ends in a bow. This serves
 as match receiver while a mules
 head is cut from the finest emery pa- serves as a match scratcher. The lettering Is put on in ink, and few matches are glued to the foun- dation by way of decoration and to advertise it's purpose and save wall paper and door castings. Scatter the
 matches across the top on either side 1 of the little pocket and pen these words: You will find your match in me-"
 For another one, cut a circle of
 pasteboard and cover with birch bark and decorate on one side with new
 moon cut from emery paper. The words Good Night can be lettered on with pen and ink and if one draws, a little candle, just dying out, may be added with water cokors, or simply IOulhucd WllH LIle pen. fln1Sh Dy scat tering a few burned and unburned matches.
 Another, more elaborate, may be decorated in this way: Cut a square
 or oblong of pasteboard and cover as
 before. Then cut the figures of two
 men in street dress. Over their coats fit coats of emery paper and glue
 matches in their hands for canes. A
 sidewalk can be blocked off with ink
 and the lettering "s;cratch my back put across the top.
 All these should be finished neatly on the back by pasting a piece of plain paper over all when finished and glue ing to each upper corner a. small brass
 ring. Pass an inch of tape through
 the ring and glue the tape to the back. This serves to attach the baby ribbon that suspends them Hope some of the Wide-Awakes will try them and have good luck. LUCY A. CARTER, Age 13. Hampton.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
NCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE.
 AWAKES,

This is the time of year when you out and find out all you can ut the things in the field which w and crawl and run and fly.
 is possible for you to find out ause for hundreds of years others ve walked out into the woods and Ids. which are Gods gardens, and md. examined and named everything t you are likely to see. Everything grows, crawls, runs or flies has named.
 t is worth while to know the trees
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
HE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS

Louis Pollock, of Eagleville- pm Fairfield in Camp. 2-AdeIIe Demuth, of Baltic-The 'arman Girls.
 ASarah Becker, of F1tchviIle-A T in Ten Thousand. Fi-Bertha Fuller, of Eagleville-Tom irfield's School Days.
 Lucy A. Carter, of Hampton 1d Luck.
 Anna Riben, of Mansfield Center < Little Girl in Old Pittsfield. T-Mary A. BurriII. of Stafford 7rings-A Little Girl in Old De- it.
 -Alnira E. Kramer, of Colchester Bad Little Hannah.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06

cur1s. The Marlen women make their skirts wide under the waist because they want themselves seen big and round. They also wear aprons that they may seem bigger and rounder. These people look odd to US, and if they saw us they would think we were oddly dressed, too
 MARIE HAKE, Age 12. West Willington.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
PLAINFIELD
Six Tramps Arrested in Shanty De serted by Woodchoppers.

Section Foreman J. Sullivan and men had a stubborn railroad fire west of Packer Tuesday.
 Michael Bagley was arrested at the station Sunday night for being drunk and Monday the justice said $1 and costs. He was let out on probation and has departed.
 Tramps Rounded Up.
 Monday night Officer Allen called at a shanty about half mile west of the village which had been, used during the winter by A. c. Filling hast's choppers, and found six men who were making themselves at home, with good fire and everything home like He broke up the camp and the knights of the road were taken to Gen. tral Village to become guests of the town over night.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
Tramps Rounded Un
Lonn Minded.

Long-winded writers, who never knew when they have got through, should take a lesson from the story of the old Scotch lady's coachman. who was wont to slip out from the kirk, near what he supposed to be the close of the sermon, in order to have her carriage ready. One Sunday, having become impatient but being somewhat in doubt, he whispered to his mistress, 'Ts he no dune yet?' 'sDune2' retorted the indignant old lady, Hes dune half an hoor since; but he'll no stop."-The Writer.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-06
Marken People.

Tn Marhen the boys and men wear big baggy trousers and very tight waists. The women wear clothing of all colors. Their tight waists are em- hroidered with flowers. Even little girls have big flowers embroidered on their waists, too. They wear white caps on their heads, and on each side a curl is hanging down.
 I wonder how all the girls and wom- en of Marken come to have two such nice curls!
 If in Holland you should meet a woman you would know she belongs to Marken because they have two long