davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Moosup.
Birds.

Birds have wings and can fly. They are covered with feathers. There are many different kinds of birds. Some of them are the owl, hawk, ground sparrow and bush sparrow, eagle, quail, partridge, swallow, robin, humming bird, woodpecker and many others. Owls live in hollow trees and only come out at night. They eat mice and will catch and eat ducks and small geese.
 Hawks make nests up high in trees. They will catch and eat young chick ems.
 Ground spaTTows make their nests on the ground. Their eggs are spot ted
 Bush sparrows make their nests in bushes.
 Eagles live on mountains or some high place where people cannot go. They will carry off lambs.
 Quail and partridge make their nests on tho ground.
 Barn swallows make their nests un- der the caves of barns.
 Chimney swallows make their nests in chimneys.
 Robins make their nests in trees. Their eggs are blue.
 Running birds are very small and are many different colors. They make their nests in trees.
 Woodpeckers live in old hollow trees They get insects for food out of the trees.
 GLADYS YOUNG.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Geese.

Geese have been domesticated for ages, having been held in great favor with the ancient Egyptians, as is evi- denced by their being frequently seen in their heirogIyphics. As an article of food they are more highly esteemed in the old world than on this continent, where the turkey seems to take the first place among poultry.
 The flesh of the goose is highly val ued in this country, and has a pecu- liarfy rich flavor, although more oily than the turkey or barn fowl There are fewer varieties of the domestic goose than most of the other breeds of domestic fowls.
 Geese will live to a great age-an age entirely out of proportion to the brief time required for them to reach ma turity.
 Great numbers of geese are raised in Holland and some portions of England and France
 In the migration of wild geese they almost always retain the V-shaped ranks unbroken. being guided by their leader
 There are few. if any, birds that ma ture so fast. which makes them profit able to raise, while their principal food being grass, little expense is required in raising them.
 JESSIE L. BREHAUT.
 East Norwich, N. Y.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
A Iittle RnN-

One could tell at a glance that he was a country lad. He was ten years old, should judge, and about four and one-half feet tall.
 He had large blue eyes and a pug nose, very much freckled. His mouth showed signs of having eaten straw berries. His ears had several scars on them, and I suppose he got them en- gagged in a scrap" as the boys call it, with some other boy. He had red cheeks, and his hair was a ruddy brown.
 He wore a pair of old faded overalls which were rolled up to the knees. The pockets in the overalls were stuffed with fishing tackle. think, for several pieces of line hung from his pockets. The overa1Is showed signs of mending in many places, and by the looks of the mending I think it must have been done by one of his sisters who was in experienced in mending. Instead of a buckle on one of the shoulder straps a pin was used.
 The shirt which he wore was prob ably one made from his fathers. It was dark blue and evidently had seen it's best days. The sleeves were cut of above the elbow and showed very freckled arms.
 He wore no necktie and his shirt was left unbuttoned at the neck. His hat was a size too large and pieces of straw were wanting in several places. He wore no shoes, and his feet and legs were tanned and dirty. His legs were
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Colchester.
Choosing Your Subject.

First you must see your subject in it's entirety, as one thing. Ask your self: Just what does my title mean?" and if you have not as yet selected a title, study your subject from all sides until you can see how to narrow it to certain definite dimensions. Now you have set a sort of fence around your subject. Nothing outside must enter, but nothing inside must escape.
 The length of the composition you are to write usually helps you decide on the limits of your subject. If you are writing a book on Africa, you might include all that the title sug- gests to you of exploration, eeloniza- ton, civilization and Christianization But if you are writing a very short theme-not over three pages-it is evil dent that the subject must be narrow ed.
 After having selected your title, de- eide into what divisions the subject naturally falls. For example: "A Bal Game" is not a definite title. Instead say Last Saturdays Football Game
 If these rules are followed you ought to have a nice story.
 LILLIAN NJ. BREHAUT.
 East Norwich. N. Y.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
MooSup,
Damon and Pythiss,

There once lived in Syracuse two young men, who were very good friends and were hardly ever seen apart. Now it happened Pythias aroused the anger of the tyrant7 Di- onysius, who put him in prison and in a few days.
 When Pythias heard this he was very much troubled. His old mother and his sister lived far away from Syracuse and he wished to go to his sisters marriage. Damon asked the tyrant if he could go to prison while Pythias made the journey and Diony- SiuS consented.
 Pythias hurried home, found a hus- settled. Then he started back, but on the way he was attacked by thieves and bound to a tree. After a few hours he wrenched himself free and ran as fast as he could to make up for lost time He came to a river over which the bridge had been des- troyed, but he swan across.
 In the meantime the tyrant had taunted Damon and tried to convince him that Pythias had not meant to re- turn and would willingly let him die in his stead: but Damon knew Pythias would be true to his friend. When the last hour had come Damon was bound and taken out to be killed, but just then Pvthias came rushing up and throwing his arms around his friend g neck, told him why he had not come before
 Dionysius saw the loyalty of the two friends and shamed by their unflinch- ing trust in each other let them go tree.
 MARY A. BURRILL, Age 13.
 Stafford Springs
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
A Dream.

One day after doing a lot of work, retired to bed very early. had wonderful dream and I think you would like to hear it. I dreamed I was captured by the Indians They made me work very hard had a strin of gold beads around my neck and a ring on my finger and the Indian chief took them from me. cried very much but it did not do me any good.
 That afternoon the whole Indian tribe went hunting. I felt very lone some, no one was in sight and I thought I would have a good chance to run away from them. I ran down the road very fast and saw a little log cabin in the distance
 When I approached it I saw a wom- an. I felt scared first, but the woman seemed very kind to me. I felt hun gry and she gave me some milk and piece of cake. I liked it very much. I told her the whole story and when one of the Indians came up and grab bed me again, I was very much frightened, and he was going to kill me for running away.
 When he got me to the wigwam, the Indian chief was very cruel to me. The more I cried the more he would hit me.
 They put me in a barrel and rolled me over the mountains. I was just going to drop from a high cliff when woke up. I was very glad it was only a dream
 MILDRED E. WHITE, Age fl. Stafford Springs
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
Bennie, My Pet,

Dear Uncle Jed: I am very anxious to have the boys and girls who write letters for The Bulletin know about my wonderful dog, Bennie.
 He Is only eight months old. and is large for his age. His hair is quite long, and Is white. brown. and black. When he smiles he shows his teeth. Everybody thinks he wants to bite, but he feels pleased to see them.
 He runs. jumps and plays with me. He goes and gets the cows every night. and he will get them alone sometimes. lie will shake my hand In his paw and make a very low bow when he wants to be polite.
 asked him what he was thankful for on Thanksgiving day, and he kiss cd my hand as if he understood me
 He plays with my two cats. Some- times he chases them up the trees, and it makes me laugh to see how fright ened the cats look.
 Bennie is a great sport. and I wish all the cousins could see him.
 RUTH ELLA SPAULDING, Age g.
 DanielSou.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
UNCLE JED's TALK WITH WIDE
 AWAkES.

Children in aiding their parents can only do little things, but these little things are as important to their success in life as some greater things be to the success of older people.
 There is nothing counts more in the little affairs of life than being prompt and being patient. Do not be slow when you are needed. and do not be ir- Sitable when things do not go as you expected. If things do not meet our expectations we can do the best we can to overcome any feeling of disap- nointnent and hope they will be better Aext time.
 Almost everything great comes from small beginnings. There is an oak tree in every acorn and a chestnut tree in every chestnut and an apple tree in every apple seed. A chestnut burr may hold four trees and an ordinary apple six apple trees. Nature puts wonderful things in small packages.
 Read what has been said of little things:
 Little things console us because little things aff1ict us.'
 The power to do great things gener- ally arises from the willingness to do small things.
 It is little accomplishments which make girls and boys grow into useful men and women. The little things they are taught in juvenile and youthful years prepare them for all the occupa- lions and duties of life.
 Do not get grumpy over trifes, but tackle the little things of life with interest and strive to do things satis- factory not only to yourself but satis- eactoiy to others.
 Do not hold little things of small value since drops of water make the ocean and tiny mineral crystals make the mountain.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Why A Hen Adopted Me

are, recognize the human superiority. She sat as calm as could be while I was working over her. Her actions said very plainly: T know that you are big and powerful, and as you are of the mind to help me. only a hen, put my self wholly in your hands"
 The really funny part of the whole thing was afterward. I got the can from her head. Not a feather was ac- rifced. She stood on the step look ing at me. As she didn't offer to go away, picked her up, smoothed her feathers a little and set her down again. She seemed so grateful I de- cided to get her something to eat. It was quite novelty to have a strange hen making over me. I stepped into the kitchen and got her some bread crumbs. From that time until they were all sold to some people that had a nice. warm sod hen-house, that hen never failed to greet me whenever she saw me in the yard. I am glad she has a good home. because when the wagon carried them away, her nice friendly clucks, bidding me "good-by'' were the last think I heard.
 Our Dumb Animals.
 dayhait
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
The HoraA.
.aftvflle,

Horses are many coIors-red, white, chestnut and sorrcl.
 Their head is round and long. Their ears are shorter than a mules. Some horses have long names. If a horse is fed we'll his stomach will be large and his sides will stick out and make him look almost round. Some horses have bob tails and others have not. Some horses have long legs. Horses have four legs; their hoofs are round. Some are larger than others.
 My father said he saw horse that took number eight shoe.
 Some horses are quick and others are slow. Some can pull larger loads than others. Some will do tricks. Once heard some company we had say they had horse that would do tricks. He would turn a gTtndstone and chew tobacco.
 There are three kinds of horses, trot- ting horses, working horses and drtv- ing horses.
 People use horses to do tean1fng, blowing, narrowing, cultivating, draw ing road scrapers, shaking out trees and pulling out stones near the house that would fay and break the win dows if blasted. Their food is oats, grass, hay, corn and hops. ELLERY PRATT.
 Mooz11n
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Nfoosup.
Som. things About School.

All children from to IA should go to grammar school. In grammar school we may learn many useful things in life, such as to be industrious in work careful and clean. Learn to be kind and generous to your school mates. These are some of the lead ing things in life.
 go to the old Hop River school and am in the eighth grade.
 There are six different grades in our school. Miss Florence Jones Is our teacher. She is good to us.
 We have geography. arithmetic, reading, spelling, language. grammar agriculture, drawing, singing. history and civics These studies keep us very busy. They are interesting.
 IRENE MATHIEU, Age 14.
 Columbia
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
What Mrs, Squirrel Thinks.

The old apple tree in the corner by the lane is hollow. There is a hole in the trunk of the tree near the top. Here lives a little family of squirrels. One day MT. Squirrel ran up the tree as fast as he could. My dear" said he to his wife when he was safe in his hole again. T was afraid I should not reach home alive!"
 Have those boys been throwing stones at you agafn?"
 Stones" repeated MT. Squirrel. Why, they were rocks. They were as big as apples" Rocks are bigger than apples' said Mrs. Squirrel. Still I must say 1t is shame"
 "They don't think of that" said Mir Squirrel, who was really angry.
 And cur dear little ones are not yet big enough to hunt for nuts. They might starve if you didn't came home Boys don't think of that" said her husband.
 You are so little and they are SC big" said Mrs. Squirrel. They don't think of that" said Mir Squirrel Don't they know how to think 9 asked his wife. Perhaps they are stu pid boys. after aH.'' They think it is fun to see me run, said MT. Squirrel 'and that seems tc
 be all the thinking they are able te do"
 That is like a baby" said Mrs Squirrel, gravely.
 "It is very sad to grow up to be stupid" said MT. Squirrel. T am glad our children know more ! than that MT. Squirrel whisked his tail over 1 his head and took up a nut from 2 pile in the corner. Mrs. Squirrel was not thinking about his dinner. | Poor boys" said she. How dread 1 full it is to be so stupid as not to be able to think" KATHERINE GORMAN. Age 10. |
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09

The hen which adopted me was a common ordinary mixture of Plymouth Rock and Buff Orpington. She found a tin can in my cousins back yard and as 1t smelIed good, decided to investi- gate it. Shortly after, a peculiar muff1ed noise called me to the kitchen door. I quickly saw the trouble. Mrs. Hen had her head securely fastened in the tin can. Try as she would, she could not free herself. I feel for all the poor helpless things, so, although I laughed at the spectacle, hastened to her relief.
 For some reason, my cousins chick ems are all very wild. Knowing this, approached this hen very carefully. picked her up and. walking over to the kitchen step, sat down. Whoever had opened that can had done very poor job. He had out two straight lines. something after the manner of a "pIus" sign. Then he had partially turned the corners back.
 I had a dreadful time liberating that hen without hurting her. I was really surprised at her behavior. It proved to me right there that even the chick eLs. simple minded things that they
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS.

1-Florence Gallup of Moosup, The Campfire Girls in the Mountains.
 2-Ruth E. SpauIding of Danielson, The Boy Scouts of LenoX.
 3-katherine German of Versailles, The Campfire Girls on the March.
 4-Thomas o'conneII of Norwich, The Boy Scouts Mountain Camp.
 5-Grace Mahoney of Colchester, The Campfire Girls at the Seashore.
 s-FIorenee Meyer of Taftville, The Campfire Girls in the Woods.
 7-MyrtIe Dupree of Colchester, Miss Pat and Her Sisters.
 s+Mary A. BurriiI of Stafford Springs, Miss Pat at School
 The winners of books living in the city may call at The Bulletin business office for them at any hour after 10 a. m. Thursday.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Thanksoivino at erandn.,s

One night I came home from school. My mother told me she had received a letter from my grandmother and that we were to go to her house for Thanksgiving. I was very glad As the next day was Thanksgiving I got up early in the morning and helped get ready. My father was going with uS.
 The ride to grandmother's was love- ly. A light snow had fallen and the fir trees looked like Christmas until the sun came out and melted the snow. It was rather chilly so we wrapped up warm and enjoyed the ride
 When we got there grandmother was just beginning to get dinner. It smell ed so good. Before dinner I looked around the farm and played with my cousins who had also come to grand mothers. At 1 o'clock we had dinner. It seemed as if there was everything to eat, mashed potatoes, roast turkey, carrots, turnips, buildings. pies, fruit, nuts and homemade candy.
 We were all 50 happy. Everyone had joke to tell or a story and after dinner all helped wash the dishes and all too soon came the time for us to go home. We had enjoyed our Thanks giving day.
 GRACE MAHoNEY, Age il.
 Colchester.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
FILIPINO DIscoNTENT,
lns'stent Calls for Preachers, Doctors and Teachers - American Board Wants More Men and Money.

Like the little black boy of Whit tiers poem the Fflipinos send word that they're rising. They made splen- did use of the school advantages the United States has given them and they want more and more. Rev Robert F. Blaci- one of the American Boards workers in Mindanao. the island which was assigned to that society for mis- sion work. has just come home on ruriough- He tells a wonderful story of tfe influence of the American schools and of the eagerness of the people for more missionaries to help in organizing churches, founding schools and giving industrial and so- cial leadership. MT. Black says, Pres ident Mckinley garrisoned the Islands with school teachers. The offices were filed with practical idealists.
 The school system is master piece From village school to Univer- sity, good instruction and a fine moral tone arc characteristic. Ten thous- and selected and well trained Filipions are now engaged in this work. About 5oe.o04 children are daily studying English.
 "Cagayan is one of the largest towns of northern Mindanao. Of this inn portant city an American scientist said to me. If the right kind of a Mission ary goes there, he will win one-half the town in a short time. This is our Amer :can Board territory.
 '-1n Surigao, on the extreme north east of Mindanao. a group of Filipinos wrote to the American Board four years ago asking for an ordained mis- sionary. Here is Provincial High Schoo;. drawing students from a pop nlation of 100000 many coming from towEs on the Eastern coast that have never seen an Evangelist. Here bright yours men and women, speaking Eng fish, eager to grasp the best that is offered them, are waiting yet for their missionary.
 Our mission schools among the 'wilG tribes are a matter of pride
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE
 AWAkES.

A District School Eighty Years Ago. A district school of eighty years ago was in an open place formed by cross roads. It was a small building of one story and had one apartment. The schoolhouse contained four windows, two on each side. The door was facing the road and had low step- There were no pictures and paint on the walls as we have today.
 The schoolhouse was built for thirty pupils, but fifty went to it. Opposite of the door was a huge fireplace four or five feet wide. A long slanting shelf the larger pupils used as a desk. The seats were made of slabs without backs. The larger pupils sat on the sides of the room, the girls on one side and the boys on the other. The younger pupils sat near the fireplace.
 Some married men and women came to school. About one dozen of the ounger pupils could not read. The same amount didn't know their alpha bets. The teacher got from ten to twelve dollars month and his board. He boarded on the district.
 MYRTLE DUPREE.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
A Wild Duck.

After my dinner I went in the back yard to feed the chickens. Just as I got to the coop heard a terrible noise. reached and got a stone and threw 1t down where the sound came from and to my surprise I saw a wild duck with white wings and a very long beak. I chased after it, but 1t flew in the river. I went through swamps and muddy places and we got a raft and shot at him, but I was not a good shot. I never got the wild duck, but Saturday when I have more time I will try again.
 TALBOT WHITE, Age 12.
 Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Rulea for Young Writers.

l. Write plainly on one side of the paper only. and number the pages. ~ 2. Use pen and ink, not pencil. ,, g.. Short and pointed articles will be given preference. Do not use over 250 words. ' 1. 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 Office. ~E 70 Whatever you are-Be that! 4 Whatever you say-Bc true!
 Straightforwardly act,
 Be honest--iu fact, (. Be nobody else but you"
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
POET
Where's Mother7

 Bursting in from school or play, This is what the children say, Trooping, crowding, big and small, On the threshold, in the hall, Joining in the constant cry, Ever as the days go by
 Where's Mother?' From the weary bed of pain This same question comes again; From the boy with sparkling eyes, Bearing home his earliest prize; From the bronzed and bearded son, Perils past and honors won
 Where's Mother?' Burdened with lonely task. One day we may vainly ask For the comfort of her face, For the rest of her embrace. Let us love her while we may, We'll for us that We can say
 Where's Mother?'' Mother, with untiring hands, At the post of duty stands. Patient, seeking not her own. Anxious for the good alone Of the children as they cry, Ever as the days go by
 Where's Mother?'
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Thanksqivind,

Dear Uncle Jed: I went down to my grandfather's Thanksgiving. I start ed from home about half past eleven.
 My cousins were cracking nuts when I got there. They had a good many.
 We had dinner about half past one. There were twenty-one sat down to dinner.
 We had turkey, chicken pie, mashed potato. brown bread, wheat bread, and cranberry sauce. Eight kinds of cake, two kinds of pie, grapes, celery, figs, cheese. dates. and nuts.
 We had music in the afternoon. My cousins and I played many games and had a nice time.
 My cousin and I stayed until Sum- day and had a good time playing games.
 FLORENCE GALLUP, Age To. L. MOOSIlD.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
peeeratsd by Mistake.

A pathetic case of decoration by mistake has come to light in the case of the late Lieut. J. H. Musson of the Royal West Surrey Regiment. The name of this young officer had been confused with the name of another ofncer for whom the reward was in tended, so the London Gazette of June 23 last stated that Lieut.. MuSson had been recommended for the Military Cross. On July 24, the War once, having discovered the mistake. can-
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
Helen's Pets,

Dear Uncle Jed: I have two big dolls Their names are Tootsy and Queen Louise.
 One morning when I came to school, I saw four deer. am afraid of them. We have a pig. We are going to kill him Christmas. go down to the pen and scrOtch him. He will lie down.
 We have some little guinea pigs. One is black and white and the other Is brown and wEite. They eat grass in summer and hay in the winter.
 did have little canary bird. He used to sing every morning.
 HELEN CONGDON, Age 8.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-09
THE WIDE AWAKE CIRCLE
 BOYS AND GIRLS DEPARTMENT

many thanks for the prize book I re- ceived. I have read some of 1t and lind 1t very interesting.
 Orin Whitehouse of Mansfield Gen. ter: Thank you very much for the prize book I have read it all through and think it very interesting.
 Agnes E. Sehreier of Stafford Springs: Thank you very much for the prize book, Miss Pat and Her Sisters. I have not read it. but know it will be good.
 Mary A. BurriII of Stafford Springs: I thank you ever so much for the nice prize book you sent me. read 1t and found it very interesting.