davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07

l Just think! Each leaf is a wonder 1 ful thing of itself, and yet 1t gave it's 1 whole life that the baby bud might 1 live, grow and at last shove it's best friend off into the grasp of the wind 1 or push 1t off that 1t might fall to the ground. The bud that the leaf had helped to clothe in warm clothes for the winter was selfish, if not worse. It was once q leaf, well dressed and in good health. As it was held between the twig and the leaf it pushed the leaf or so 1t could have more room Then, like many humans, it stopped growing and went to sleep. Why should it not?
 Like Master Bruin, it could live on what it had. It was going to have a, steady job in the spring. It is Miss Leaf now. Why should it worry? what lot of human nature it shows don't it?
 Are all these woody stems loaded with such leaves, Grandpa?
 Certainly, if alive and we'll But let us examine these sleepy fellows more closely. This hickory twig is the best. as the leaf children are larger. Notice the independence and bossy appearance of the terminal fellow? He is a boss. too! ''7'
 Notice these leaf scars, Alice? See. the auxiliary sleeper is just above it. shoWlng how he cxowded the nurse AcAL OAL. IISE6s Jdh0 my glass. Look at the leaf scars again. What do you see?
 Little dots in certain positions.
 Those dots are the lenticels or breathing holes through which the nurse leaves passed the gas it took from the atmosphere last summer. Ct Is these breathing holes that give the ornamental markings to birch bark. They were the nursing tubes or pipes, as leaves, like our babies, have nurs- ing bottles.
 Look at this bud again. Notice it's oyercoat of scales. Take them off. What ring of scars is revealed. That ring Is telitale as we may find.
 What I want you to notice is how these scales overiapped so as to break Joints. Hold un one of the scales. Is 1t Teined? Of what use are these scales and why so gumny? Why do you wear waterproof clothing when it rains? The outer scales are the rubber coats, the inner ones being more like blankets. In cold countries most of these leaf children's overcoats have been. Notice the cotton tucked in Vegetable wool-to make it warm. But it is cold, we have issued our rations for today and this long line of feath- cred citiens are happy! It is Christ mas, tool
 You found the woody stems still loaded with leaves and some day we will see what has become Of all the herbacious stems.
 GRANDF'ATHER LOWATER.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
THE WIDE AWAKE CIRCLE
 BOYS AND GIRLS DEPARTMENT

ters 'so it is only to the very few who cannot tell why they do not succeed that these remarks are addressed.
 Do not go on writing with poor pencil or pen or light colored ink which you can hardly read yourself, for it is waste of time and paper.
 Read the rules and be governed by them and your chances of winning a book will be better.
 I want you all to read this model letter from one of Uncle Jeds boys:
 Dear Uncle Jed: In your issue of The Bulletin of December A, I un- derstood that all writers of the Wide Awake Circle on that day were to re- ceiye @ book from you.
 I did not receive any book if you sent one to me. I am writing this letter to you, not because I am dis appointed but I do not want you to think I am ungrateful to you by not sending you a letter of acknowledg- ment.
 Please consider this letter personal between you and me.
 This lad will get on in the world if he cultivates the fine spirit he man. ifests in his letter.
 His book was on the way.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
UNCLE JEp'S TALK TO WIDE.
 AWAKES.

Uncle Jed has never told the Wide Awakes what their first duty is and perhaps very few of them know what it is
 The first duty is to read the instruc- tions to Ietter-writters and to mind them.
 It is evidence that you are not Wide-Awake when you write on both sides of the paper for it is against the rule of all newspaper offices be- cause it makes the work of the print CTS more difficult.
 So does writing that is not plain. Pencil marks or ink that is so pale it can only be read with difficulty are not plain however well the work may be done. It is too bad to spoil good work by using poor tools.
 Uncle Jed has had to throw let ters that would have won books in- 10 the waste basket because they were too poor to send to lie primers: and he guesses the printers would tell you he doesn't condemn as many as he should to make work agreeable to them.
 The general excellence of the work has been very pleasing to Uncle Jed and most crditable to the little writ
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
LETTERS OF ACKNoWLE EDGE
 MENT.

-. ------ of Versailles: received the pretty prize book you sent me. l have read it through, and it was very interesting. I thank you very much for it. wish you a Happy New Year-Ensigned
 Raymond WeIden, Of Wiuinantic: l received the book you sent nlo yester- day. I am reading it and I thank you very much for it.
 Margaret c, Driscoli, of Norwich: I: Thank you for the prize book you sent me: ''DWellers on The River Banks" l wish you and the Wide AWakes a very Happy New Year.
 Grace Mahoney, of Colchester. l thank you very much for the prize book you sent met It is very nice Christmas present.
 Mary German, of Versailles: I thank you very much for the pretty prize book you sent me. I have read it all through and 1 like it very much.
 Lower Middle Girl, N. F. A, of Nor wich: Many thanks for the prize book awarded me. l have read it through and found it very interesting.
 Alice King of Piainfeld: received the prize book you sent me. It was fine. I thank you very much.
 Helen M. Whitaker of Providence: 1 thank you for the nice prize book which you sent me last week. have read it and found that it was 8 very good story.
 Bona Howard of Westerly: received the nice prize book, A Three Goats Gruff, which you sent me. I thank you very much for it. I have read it and found it very interesting.
 Winifred Brings of Jewett City: was surprised and pleased to get my book entitled Boynton Pluck. I began reading it last night. I have read 65 pages in it and like it very much. you for the book, l am as ever VOLT loving Diece
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
LEGAL NOTICE
ATTENTION! SIDEWALKS
OFFICE OF THE
 STREET COMMISSIONER,

Norwich, Dec. 21, 1914.
 The ordinances of the City of Nor- wich provide that the owner or own CTS, occupant or occupants, private corporations, or any person having care of any building or lot of land, bordering on any street, square, or public place within the City, where there is a sidewalk graded. or graded and paved, shall cause to be removed therefrom any and all snow, sleet and ice within three hours after the same shall have fallen, been deposited or found, or within three hours after sun rise when the same shall have fallen in the night season; also, that whenever the sidewalk, or any part thereof, ad- Joining any building or lot of land or any street, square or public place shall be covered with ice, it shall be tho duty of the owner, or owners, occu- pant or occupants, private corpora ton, or any person having the care of such building or lot to cause such side walk to be made safe and convenient by removing the ice therefron1, or coy- ering the same with sand or some other suitable substance.
 The failure to do so for two hours during the daytime exposes the party in default to the penalty provided by the ordinances.
 The ordinances also provide that in case of violation of any of the foregoing provisions, or refusal or neg lect to comply with them, the party violating them or not complying with them shall pay penalty of five dollars for every four hours of neglect, after notice from any policeman of the city.
 The ordinances also make it the duty of the Street Commissioner to collect all penalties incurred under the foregoing provisions, and if they are not paid to him on demand, to report the case to the City Attorney, who shall prosecute the party offending.
 ERROLL c. LILLIBRIDGE,
 Street Commissioner.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
The Story of Two Pens.

Now I am an old pen. l was once very proud of my shining, bright color, but now it is as black as coal.
 I lived in a very pretty box that lay in a, large book store. One day many boys came in to buy some pens. It was my luck that I was chosen. My new master, who was by no means a tidy one, paid one cent for me. How sorry I felt to leave my old home!
 My master ran off with me to a large building which I knew at once was the school. Now my new compan- ion was an old penilolder.
 One day another pen as large as myself got into trouble, but the teacher blamed the boys and l didn't have to worry.
 As my master was not 8 very good boy, he never wiped my face and it was always covered with ink.
 One afternoon my master acted rather queer. He looked at me with g cross eye and he didn't use me. In my place I saw a bright, new pen such as I had been. It was my rival and when I spoke to her I received the same answer as if I had spoken to the wall. I guess my master did not ap- preciate my services very much.
 At last, wishing to rid himself of me he threw me into his pocket, and heard him say:
 eff T can't find my pen home, I'll use this one"
 JOHN SEARS. Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
History of Roads in America.

The animals were the first road build CTS. The buffalos trampled down the bushes and made trails. The Indians walked in single file on these trails, each one stepping in the tracks of the one before him. When the white men came. they blazed the trees. The In dian used to blaze the trees before, but after the white men came they used the trees as 8 trap.
 Daniel Boone was employed in 1775 to build the wilderness road. He used a buffalo trail half the way.
 Sometimes the plains were flooded and the Indians made the trails over the hills. These were called high ways.
 In the fatal battle of Blue Licls, the Indians blazed the trees. The white men followed the trail and it led them to trouble and they were all killed.
 There was no thought of comfort in those days. The nearest way to the river, village or meeting house was made a trail.
 The first American highway was be- tween New York and Philadelphia The first macadam highway was be- tween New York and Lancaster.
 Washington and Jefferson tried to get better roads.
 EILEEN KELLY, Age il.
 Versailles
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE.
 AWAKES.
Marie Rosa Ronheur.

Marie Rosa Bonheur.
 Rosa Bonheur was born in France in 1922 at Bordeaux.
 They were very poor. The father was an artist and her mother was a music teacher. Her fathers name was Raymond Bonhear. He was so poor he had to teach.
 When she was eight years old her mother died.
 They had four children. One day mother called them only three came back. She asked the children where Rosa was. They said:
 We don't know
 Her mother called and called but she did not come. She looked all over CT 8 while she went to the butcher shop to see if she was there She found her looking at an animals head made out of wood
 Every day when she went out she always went to the butchers shop, One day her mother found her draw ing a picture of it.
 Her brothers names were Auguste, Jules and Juliette.
 After her mother died tehir father sent them to different relatives.
 Rosa Bonheur learned to sew and she did not like it She wanted her father to teach her to draw,
 They had animals. The boys used to take the animals down stairs in the morning and bring them back at night.
 Rosa was conscientious and faith fui. She spent most of her time play ing with her friends.
 Rosa Bonheur died in 1899. Her famous pictures were, "Oxen Plough ing,' and The Horse Fair" When she was twenty-eight she was a famous painter. She painted a horse two- thirds of it's natural size. She had to stand on a step ladder to paint it.
 EVA OATES, Age Ii.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
Flainfeld.
RuIlfahtina in Spain.

The fayorite amusement of the Spaniards is bullfighting.
 At such fights the widest and f1erceSt bulls are brought into the ring.
 The fighters are both on foot and on horseback. They are dressed in gay costumes, each having his hair done up in knot at the back of the neck The men on foot have red blankets which they shake in front of the bull, as soon as he enters the ring, to en- courage him
 As the animal darts for them they jump to one side; and when he turns about they again shake the red blanket, a color which every bull hates, in his face.
 The men on horseback tease him with sharp lances and as he grows angry the men on foot throw sharp arrows decorated with bright coIored ribbons into his shoulders or back.
 After a time even the quietest anil maj can be made angry by such treat ment. The beast soon becomes wild with rage; he darts after the men on horseback and tries to drive his horns into their steeds.
 When the bull has reached this tngry state, one of the men on foot kills him. A team of horses is hitched to it's horns, and the band plays while it is dragged out and a11- other victim brought in.
 JOHN SEARS, Age il.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
WHEN PA KEEPS HOUSE.

By Maggie A. Cromlich When mama has to go away And pa keeps house. The little children romp all day, No lessons interfere with play, And things begin to come their way When pa keeps house. We have the incest things to eat When pa keeps house: He buys us cakes and cookies sweet And every day a special treat, And doesn't try to keep us neat,- When he keeps house. We needn't stop to put things right When pa keeps house; The nursery is a, perfect sight, Our daddy doesn't care a mite; But oh, how lonely 'tis at night When pa keeps house,
 "A RAI JOURNAL,
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07

Uncle Jed: Months ago I visited the Slater Memorial museum. In the up per part I saw statues of famous men wlio lived hundreds of years ago. One statue built by the ancient Egyptians was a figure of Pharoah, king of Egypt
 There was a statue of David staying the Giant, and in a glass case some coins which were used by the early Romans. Some of them were of the date $50 B. C. And in another case were an old armor. sword and can dlestick and many other articles. All of them were used about 400 years ago.
 ASA LYMAN, Age F. A-fnrSurinh
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
WINNERs oF PRlzE books.

1-Ellen Kinder, of Taftville-The Meadow Brook Girls Across Country.
 2-Jchn Sears, of Norwich-Harry Dexter and the Stolen Boy.
 3-Dorothy Loonis, of Lebanon The Meadow Brook Girls by the Sea
 4-EiIeen Kelly, of NersaiIIes-The Meadow Brook Girls Ahoat.
 5-RutF1 Clark, of Norwich-The Meadow Brook Girls in the Hills.
 6-Maurice WHitehouse, of Mt. Hope The Square Dollar Boys Smash the Ring.
 S-EIIa Deeenais, of Killingly-Mrs. Primers Little Girl.
 7-Francis O'conneH, of Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
At Home After the First voyaue,

It was Saturday morning and the Browns were up early for was not the sailor boy coming home? After breakfast the three children, two lit- the road, swinging on the gate watch ing for him while the mother and larger sister worked about the house getting good dinner ready for the traveller
 All at once Jimmie caught sight of him and began to shout:
 "Hurrah! Here comes Jack!''
 "How tall he is and how brown he looks! Look at the big package he has,
 ''Mother! Mother!" he exclaimed. as he came into the house with the chiI- dren hanging onto his coat
 His mother with tears in her eyes took him in her arms and kissed him. Then he sat down to eat and to tell about his journey.
 Meanwhile the little sister was tak- ing some things from his package. She sat down by the table like the rest to listen. In one hand she held a string of coral beads and in the other a large and very beautiful shell. She held it to her ear.
 Her sailor brother was very happy to be at home again.
 The mother who sat at the head of the table, looked happy. too. What interesting things he told them of the trip to the Philippine islands and all the curious things he saw. They all wished they were with him and one of the boys said he would be a sailor, too. when he grew up.
 The big brother could scarcely eat for they were asking him all sorts of questions. It took him long time to tell everything about the people and things he saw. Then he showed them all the queer things he brought home. There were jackknives with ivory handles for each of the boys, a string of coral beads for the little sister a basket and some embroidery for the larger sister, and a nice soft shawl for his mother, and many other things among which were the most beauti ful shells and baskets which the na- lives in Manila make and sell to tour istS.
 MARY A. BURRILL, Age F.
 Sta ffnrl Sslnrinos
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
Washington.

Once George Washington and his brothers were in field where a small colt was. The colt belonged to their mother.
 Mrs. Washington liked the colt very much, but nobody could ride it.
 The boys got the colt in a corner and George jumped on the colts back. It could not throw George off and as a blood vessel burst it jumped into the air for the last time and dropped to the ground dead.
 When George went into the house his mother asked him about the colt.
 He told her it was dead and told her what he had done.
 At first she looked angry but said, II would rather have my colt dead than have my son tell a lie"
 THOMAS BARNETT, Age 10.
 JeWett City,
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
Mencius.

A long time ago @ boy whose name was Mencius lived in China His fath- CT was dead. His mother was good and wise woman.
 She sent her little boy to school. He was bad boy. He threw his books away and went home.
 His mother was sitting at her loom weaving cloth when he came in. She listened while he told her that he did not like to work so hard Then she said:
 Very well, my son, if you do not work neither will r. and she got up and went away from the loom.
 RUTH ALLEN, Age S.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
THE NEW YEAR.

By Emma 4. Lente.
 c little fair New Year,
 How did you journey here? How did you know the moment when the
 Old Year would be gone? Or, were you waiting by the door to see him. pass away Tire dear old soul that like a ghost went fitting down the lawn Indeed. but we were sad
 For never have we had A friend more tender, wise and kind, more generous and sweet; And now we know we never prized his presence as we should,- Tho months no spent with Us went by most beautiful and sweet. But now, o fair Young Year, We give you welcome here; We dry our tears and hush our sigIls, and SII.ile as best we may. And yet most wistfully we try to scar the futGre's scroll. And wonder how our feet shall fare the while you with us stay.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
A Lighthouse Keepers Kindness.

There was once ship wrecked not very far from a lighthouse keepers home. In this ship there were a lot of people who perished, but one child was found in it's mothers arms, who was not dead. Her mother seemed to be a rich mans wife.
 This little girl was about four months old and her mother seemed to be twenty five years old.
 When this lighthouse keeper found the baby in it's mothers arms, she was wrapped up in canvas so the water could not get to them, but the mother was dead. She had not lived long after the ship had been wrecked.
 The old man took care of the little girl till she was old enough to take care of the old man.
 The old man called this little girl Star Bright, because the name of the ship that had been wrecked was call ed Star Bright.
 She lived with this old man happily and begged and begged for the old man to tell her the story over and over again.
 She married a yoIng man and she told him how she vas found in the sea by her dear farher.
 She had children and told them the story her father told her over and over again till they knew it by heart, when they ask her why she was called Star Bright.
 ELLA DAGENAIS. Age 13.
 Killingly,
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
La Sale.

La. .Salle came to Canada from France in 1886. He then was 23 wears old. The Indians told him of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
 La Salle believed that the latter river flowed to the Gulf of California and that it offered road to the riches of India He soon returned to France and there obtained the men and means which he needed for the great undertaking.
 After his return he built a vessel which he called The Griffon, near the Niagara river, and in the summer of 1879 he sailed up the Lakes of Mack inaw. He loaded The GFiffo71 with fllrs and sent her back to Niagara The vessel never returned. She may have been lost in a storm or destroyed by traders, but La Saiie never knew.
 After many troubles La Salle form ed & party of 23 T'renehnaen and a
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07

band of friendly Indians to explore the great river. They f1oated down 1882, entered the Mississippi. For two months they followed the course of the river. On April 9th they saw that the river divided into three broad channels. They had reached the delta and La Sale soon found himself at the mouth of the Mississippi and look ed out upon the waters of the Gulf.
 ELLA KINDER. Age 12.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
Hans Christian Andersen.

If you look on the map of Europe you will see a small country, Den mark, the capital and largest city of which is Copenhagen.
 In 1875 a great man died. His name was Hans Christian Andersen. He was born in a city of Denmark.
 When Hans was nine years old his father died and he was left a poor hoy. Soon after his mother sent him to Copenhagen. He knew no one there. At first he became singer, but in six months he lost his voice. At last he found some friends who were will ing to help him. On his return to Denmark he wrote poems in the Dan ish language.
 ALBERT PHILLIPS, Age 3.
 Versailles
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
The Panama Canal,

The Panama canal was begun by tho French in 1883. The Worknen employed were chiefly men from the West Indies with a few negroes from the southern states of America
 Before the close of 1887 the people in England and America believed that the French would never complete the
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
Tom Thumb,

Tom Thumb was a little fellow. He was as small as his fathers thumb.
 Once Tom had a ridef in the ear of his fathers horse.
 One day when Tom was out in the field & bird flew away with him. The bird dropped Tom into 8 river and a big fish caught him.
 A man caught the fish and said: T will send this fish to the king"
 When the fish was opened, out jumped little Tom Thumb.
 The king liked Tom Thumb. He gave him a sword and horse. The sword was a needle, and the horse was a. little white mouse
 How Tom liked to ride on his horse! But, one day a big black cat caught the horse and killed him.
 HELEN BANKER, Age s.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07
RuIes for Youna Writers.

HuIes TOT 1oung WFteFs' I. Write plainly on one side of the uaper only, and number the pages. Use pen and ink, not pencil. 2. Short and pointed articles will bo given preference. Do not use over 250 words.
 4. Original stories or letters only will be used.
 ,. Write your name, age and ad- dress plainly at the bottom of the story.
 Address all communications to Uncle Jed, Bulletin Office.
 "Whatever you are-Be that!
 Whatever you say-Be true!
 Straightforwardly act,
 Be hoHest-in fact,
 Be nobody else but you"