davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
BENJAMIN Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born Janu-
airy II. 1905. He lived in a small
house near the market. The lack of
money forced the boy to learn the
printers trade. He became publisher
of the Pennsylvania Gazette.
Today we print newspa pers by
steam at the rate of two or three hun
dred a minute, but Franklin standing
IN his shirtsleeves at a little press.
printed a few hundred an hour with
his own hands.
It was hard work. for you could see
the drops of sweat that stood on his
forehead, and it was slow as well as
hard.
The young man not only wrote most
of what he printed in his paper, but
he often made his own ink. Some
times he even made his own type.
When he got out of paper he took
a wheelbarrOw and went out and
bought load and wheeled it home
Sometimes his friends would ask
him why he began work so early in
the morning and he would laugh and
tell them his father used to repeat to
him this saying of SoIOmon's:
'Seest thou 2 man diligent in his
business? He shall stand before kings;
he shall not stand before mean men,
Franklin died April II. 1890.
ALICE PURCELL, Age 10
Colchester, Conn.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
Dandy the Colt

A neighbor of ours has a little colt
and as it was the first colt 1 had ever
seen I was very much taken up with
it.
They named the colt Dandy, and he
certainly is q dandy.
When he was a little fellow they
would put him in a lot with his
mother. He would race around the
field and have a fine time. His mother
thought a lot of him because she
wouldn't go anywhere without him.
When the colt was a few weeks old
they took him into the kitchen and
gave him some sugar. OF course, this
taught him a bad habit. But the cutest
thing about him is now when he finds
the door open he walks right into the
kitchen and helps himself to the sugar
bowl.
One day when they were going to
feed the pigs their hands were full so
Of course they left the door open and
little Dandy noticed this and walked
in. The lamp happened to be on the
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
Georna WASHINGTON.

George Washington was born al
Bridges Greek, Virginia, on Feb. q,
1892. When he was IL years old his
father died.
George went to a little log school
house He was a, favOrite at school
and no boy there could run as fast
or jump as high as he could. He was
very truthful
He became a surveyor. Once he was
sent to carry a message to the French
telling them that they would have to
leave the Ohio valley because it be-
lOnged to the English. He had to go
through dense forests, cross the noun
tain and swim rivers. But he was
used to the life in the wilderness and
reached home safely. He fought in a
few battles of the French and Indian
war.
He was made commander Of the
American army at Cambridge in ITS.
He fought very bravely during the
long war for independence.
At last after about seven years of
hard fighting the Americans captured
CORVALLIS and his army and the war
was over.
The Americans were now free from
England, and must have a government
of their own. So they drew up a con-
stitution and made him their presi-
dent. Four years after he was again
elected president. He died at his
home at Mount Vernon in 1893.
ALICE NJ. GORMAN, Age IL.
Versailles.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
THE PET WOODCHUCK

Grandma! Grandma Sands!" shout
ed Johnny Hill. 1--WE got a little
chuck! Ben Brown gave it to me.
He dug it out of a hole with three
more-one for him and one for me
and one for Tom Green!"
Mercy alive! And you put him
right in your dinner bag!" cried
grandma, shocked to see Johnny pull
The reddish brown, furry little creature
put with the remnants of ginger cook
les, the crust Of his strawberry turn
over and q nlDbled doughnut. What
I boy!"
Then grandma laughed, pulled her
spectaCles from the top of her head
down on her nose. and looked the mite
Of a woodChuck over.
I'm sure 1 don't know what we can
with him!" she added in perplex-
ty. What If we give him to old Dt-
nah (the cat) to take care of with her
Sittens!"
"Oh, do you s'pose she would, grand
mar" queried Johnny, hopping about
On his brown toes.
"Of course" said grandma, "and be
glad Of the chance! Don't you remem-
Der how she tried to get old Spots
puppies away from her last year? Di-
nah never had family half big
enough yet"
So ChuclSy was given to Dinah At
first she did not know what to make
Of him. She edged all around him
carefully, now and then putting out
paw and giving him a pat. He Smell
ed wild" grandma said.
Finally she could not resist him,
and graphing him by the nape Of the
neck. as she did the kittens, she made
off, with her head in the air and
Chucky's hand legs dragging on the
ground, toward the already big nestfuI
i kittens in the barn.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
General Andrew jackson.

General Andrew Jackson was the
son of poor emigrant who came from
Ireland and settled in North Carolina.
Andrew was 9 years old when his
father died. He was a tail, slender,
barefoot boy, with eyes full of fun.
They all called him 'tMischieVous Lit
tie Andy"
He went to school in a log hut in
the pine woods; but he learned more
things from what he saw in the woods
than from the books he studied in
school.
He was not a very strong boy. He
had a violent temper and when, as the
boys said, ANDY got mad, he got mad
all over" Not many cared to face
him
Once some of his pIaymates secretly
loaded an old gun almost up to the
muzzIe and dared him to fire it. An
drew fired the gun. 1t knocked him
sprawIiug. He jumped up with eyes
blazing with anger, and shaking his
fist, cried out:
eff any of you boys laugh, I will
kill you"
He looked as though he meant what
he said, and the boys thought that it
would be just as well to wait and
laugh some other day.
KATHERINE GOR1TAN, Age g.
Versailles,
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17

Johnny fed him every day with new
milk, and he soon would follow the
boy like a little dog. But later on he
would gnaw grandpa'S garden peas
and champ the young cabbages, and
Johnny put him in a hen coop.
But Chucky did not like it, and one
day he dug his way out and followed
Johnny to school 1t was almost
school time, and Johnny hid him under
his seat in an old dinner pail and
shut the cover on. Soon Chucky could
not get his breath. He hoped with
all his might. Over went the dinner
pail and ratified down toward the
stove, off tumoled the cover, and away
waddled Chucky, half scared to death,
under the teachers desk, where he set
up a great whistling-
"Hic-c! Hic-c-crrr! Htc! Hic-c-
crrr!"
Johnny played with Chuclzy all
summer. But toward fall the little
wOodchuck seemed to be very busy
under the house. He would come out
with his face and paws very dirty. BY
and by he began carrying in straw,
leaves and dead grass. Grandma said
he was digging a winter house. And
one day he did go in and did not come
out
Nothing more was seen of Chucky
till April. Johnny was picking up
stones in the stump lot when all at
once up popped a woodchuck from be-
"Chucky, Chucky, Chuckyl" cried
Johnny. running toward it.
''Hic-c! Hic-c- crrr!"
1t was Chucky, sure enough, whist
ling back, but he would not let John
ny come near him. He ran down I'M
der a big rock, and whistled there as
much as to say, mo, I thank you, I
like my liberty best"
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
Jan1ie's WAGON,

Mrs. Moore was reading a letter
from her only sister, who lived many
miles away; and as she finished the
first two pages of the letter and turn
ed to a new leaf, she said, smiling,
And now comes a message for Mel
lie:
Give my love to my little niece, and
tell her Aunt Nellie does not forget
that her birthday is close at hand.
The enclosed dollar is to buy a new
doll; for I think the one which /
brought on my last visit must be
quite unfit for use"
NeIie's eyes beamed with delight as
her mother placed the money in her
hand.
Jamie loves poor Fannie. mother
She does not look 50 very bad. One
of her eyes is out. and there is a lit
tie piece broken off the end of her
nose, but she has one good foot
Never mind, Nellie" said her
mother, soothingly, Fannie does look
pretty well considering how long she
has been in use; but a new doll will
look much better. Let me think. Next
Saturday will be your birthday. I
must go to the village and buy the
doll"
Must I have a doll. mother" asked
Nellie, anxiously.
NO, dear, not if you prefer some
thing else" replied Mrs. Moore, with
surprise.
Then 7 will buy the wagon for ia
mic" said Nellie, delighted.
But Nellie, are you willing to give
your whole dollar ?" asked her mother
wishing to test her generosity.
Yes, of course" returned Nellie, as
if surprised at the question: and, if
you are willing, I shall go right over
to Mr.. Whites and ask the carpenter
to make the wagon and have it done
by Saturday, if he possibly can"
Mrs. Moore was quite willing, and
Nellie fastened away, soon returning
with the pleasant news that the wag-
on would be ready for them by Friday
evening.
Jamie carefully seated in the new
wagon, was drawn into the pleasant
fields and woods by his sister. which
made him feel very happy.
VERONICA V. T. TUCKER, Age 16
Versailles.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
China,

The empire of China is about the
size of the United States, including
Alaska.
The Chinese are descended from
mixed people. They belong for the
most part to the Monaghan, or Vel
low race.
China is so far away from us, and
we see SO few of its people, that we
do not realize how large a part of
the worlds population it contains.
The Chinese were among the first
people to be civilized. They invent
ed the Mariners compass, the art Of
making gun powder, and the produc-
ton of silk goods and porcelain ware.
The three religions of the Chinese
are Buddhism, which is also common
in India: Tavism. which teaches the
belief in fire. rain, agriculture, and
medicine; Confucianism, which was
founded by Confucius.
The Chinese have had many absurd
customs. For example. the women
of the higher classes have had their
feet bound into a defOrmed shape, in
order to make them appear small.
MARY KYBIC, Age Is.
Mansfield.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
The Fairy and the Woodnan.

Once there was a woodman chopping
in the woods by a river. As he was
chOpping he dropped his axe into the
river. Then he said:
What shall I do? I haven't any
more money with which to buy an
other
Then he heard a voice. He looked
he heard the voice again. The wood
man said:
Il have lost my axe"
Then hand came up from the water
with a gold axe.
is that your axe?" inquired the
voice.
The man said: mo; that isn't mine
The hand went down out of sight.
Then it came up from the water with
a silver axe.
rs that your axe" said the voice
again.
The man said: NO. My axe is a
The hand went out Of sight. Then it
came out again with the mans own
axe.
rs that your axe?"
The man said: Yes"
Then the nand went out of sight and
came up with two axes. The man
went home a. night and told about it.
Then another man went to the anne
place. He dropped his axe into the
water. He then heard a voice and
saw hand holding a gold axe.
is that your aXe?"
The man said: Yes
Then the hand went out Of sight.
He lost the gold axe, the silver axe
and his own because he was dishonest
THELNIA WHITEHOUSE, Age 10.
Mt. Hope.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
he Fire,

It was a very dark night. Every
thing and everybody was asleep, when
all at once the fire bell rang. Then
the clatter of hOofs and the rumbling
of the teams was heard. Everybody
was wide awake and looking out of the
windows. The argest hotel in the
city was in flames.
All at once a shower of water pour
ed in through the windows. The fire
men were very busy trying to save the
people in the hotel for it was useless
to put out the fire because the flames
were too strong.
When the fremen had gotten out all
the people they could find they were
about to leave. Then someone Shout
ed from the large crowd:
There is someone crying in the
sixth story" But who was going up?
No one wanted to. Then there was a
short silence. After a, while the brav-
est of the fTemen took a ladder and
climbed up to the sixth story win
dow. The flames dashed about him
and the smoke was very thick. The
fireman could hardly breathe. He
Crawled in the window and there sat
child crying as if it's heart would
break. and a dog was sitting by her
side. The dog was trying to defend
the child from all danger.
The fireman took the child and the
dog in his arms and went down the
ladder. He set the child down and
the dog stayed beside her.
This fireman received a reward for
saving the child.
FRIEDA RETKOVSKE.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
The Eour Children.

Four little children came playing
one day. smiling and shipping on their
way. One chiId's name was Mary,
and another was John, and the other
girls name was Ruth, and the boys
name was Henry.
Their mother said they could go out
and play.
They wanted to take out their toys.
But it was a damp day, so their
mother said, NO
They said, All right They asked
their mother if they could go into the
neighbours yard to play with the chill
dren.
Their mother said. yes. but do not
get YOUR feet wet, or you shall have
to stay in the house"
So they went out to play. First
thing they knew they heard somebody
calling them.
They said yes" because it was
getting dark, and their mother want
ed them to get their supper.
Then after getting supper, mother
said Hurry up and get the dishes
washed and dried. and then get ready
for bed"
They said, Mother, we don't want
to go to bed just yet. Let US stay up
and study our Sunday School lesson.
and then we will all go to bed
Their mother said they could but
you all must go to bed at half past
eight, and get up in the morning at
half past seven.
TIey hurried with the dishes so
they could have time to study their
lessons. At half past eight every one
stopped and put every thing away.
Then they said good night to their
mother, and went to bed. The next
morning they got I'D at the right Tina
SUSAN NJ, NEALY. Age 9.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
POETRY.
The Little Wave.

Two little children, one Summers day,
Sat on the sand, as happy as could be,
When a little wave that was very gay
Came right out from the foaTny sea-
Startled the children in their play,
AS it scampered along the beach,
And slipped away, far out Of reach.
Where do you come from?" cried
Dora, nine.
From the rocks where spongeS live,
From the land of the picked lime,
Or from the land where lovely flowers
thrive?"
Then the little wave just touched them
in their play,
AS it scrambled along the beach,
And slipped away, far out of reach.
Where do you go to?" cried Ned, of
ten,
As the wave washed his castle Of
sand,
ITO the frozen haunts of men,
Or 10 the strange nO-man's land?"
Then the little wave just touched them
in their play,
As 1t scrambled along the beach,
And slipped away, far out of reach.
Annie White Noble.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17

me out and packed me in a box with
my other brothers and sisters. They
sold me to a man who trimmed me
and put some nice, pink ribbon around
me for a band Then they put some
flowers on the side and an elastic
from the two bottom sides.
They then put me in the window. I
saw many people going up and down
the streets. At last a child came in
with her mother. They put me on
the child's head and I fitted so nice
ly they bought me.
the child only put me on when she
went to the park or when she went on
the cars. After she had me a few
weeks 1 became her old hat and she
threw me away in the yard
Then her mother came and picked
me up and sold me to q rag-shop. This
was not my end. I was retrimmed and
sold to some poor family.
ETA ROSENBERG, Age 10.
Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
EIovd Has Been Pretty Busy.

Dear Uncle Jed: enjoy reading the
letters in the Wide-Awake Circle.
I have been pretty busy since school
was out.
I enjoyed the trout fishing while it
lasted
One night this week three of us
went fishing for buIlheads. We caught
fifty and such sport as we had pulling
them into the boat.
I went on the excursion to Newport
the Fourth with my papa and nlanara&.
We ate our luncheon on the boat and
had ice cream and bought some pretty
souvenirs in Newport. The water was
quite rough coming home.
Papa saw a whale when we were
off the shore opposite Watch Hill.
I help my papa in the garden and
have a little garden of my own.
I help my grandp2pa with the hay
ing when it is good weather.
have eleven little bantams.
I hope all the Wide-Awakes are en-
joying their vacation.
FLOYD T. BAILEY, Age II.
Salem
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
Andrew johnson.

Upon the death of Mr.. Lincoln, An
drew Johnson, the vice president, be-
came president of the United States.
He was born in Raleigh, North Car
DINA on the twenty ninth of Deem
Der, 1908 At the age of ten he was
bound as an apprentice to a tailor of
Raleigh. At this time he was unable
to read or write. Some years later
Andrew determined to have some kind
of an education, so he began to learn
the alphabet from a fellow workman,
and friend taught him spelling and
he was soon able to read. This was
the only education he got. In 1926 he
moved to Greeneville, Tennessee TAX
ing with him his mother, who was de-
pendent upon him for support.
Upon reaching his manhood he mar
ried and continued to study out of
few books he had under the directions
deTman of the town in which he lived
and after studying law he abandoned
tailoring and devoted himself to po-
liticaI and legal affairs.
He was then elected mayor and a,
member of the legislature presidential
elector and state senator He was
twice elected United States senator
and governor of Tennessee and gained
a good reputation during the struggle
for the national cause.
He was a man of ardent nature, ear
nest, honest-hearted, and sincerely de-
sired to do his duty for his country.
On the fifteenth of April, 1865, he
was elected as president of the United
States. While in this business the
president and Mr.. Stanton, the secre-
tary of war, disagreed with each other.
/ The president did not like this so he
| discharged him and put General Grant
in his place.
Upon the meeting of congress in De-
| cember it was agreed that Stanton
should be put back in his place and it
was done. The president did this
twice and each time congress put Mr..
Stanton back in his place
The last time the president did it
the house of representative ordered the
president to be impeached for high
! crimes and misdemeanors. They had
a trial in which he was found guilty
and was removed from office.
Later Mr.. Johnson made a. speech in
which he asked pardon of everybody.
In the year 1875 Mr. johnson died
in his home in Tennessee on the thir-
| ty-first of July.
FRIEDA RETKOVSKE.
Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
Bows and The Hero.

Dear Uncle Jed: One day in sum-
mer two boys were fishing in a boat,
One boys name was Tom and the
other John. While they were CATCH
ing fish in the water Tom fell over
board while he was trying to get a
large fish out of the water.
John shouted for help, because he
couldn't swim, but no one came to the
rescue.
At last q man, coming home from
work, heard the cries of Tom and
John
He hurried to. the boat in which the
boys were. The bottom of the boat
fell out, but he was a quick man and
he jumped overheard. He caught hold
of the boys and brought them to the
shore.
The boys gave the man a reward for
saving their lives.
FANNIE ROSENBERG, Age II
Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
The Watch.

ELS father had a watch. Eli liked
to look at it. 1t was g, wonder to him.
He wanted to see the inside of it. but
his father did not allow this.
One Sunday the family was getting
ready to go to church. Eli noticed
his father was going to leave his
watch at home. He pretended that
he was sick. and his father allowed
him to stay at home.
When they We're gone Eli hurried
to the room where the watch was
hanging, took it down, opened it. and
saw the wheels turning. It seemed to
him, a living thing. He forgot all
about every thing but the machinery
in the watch. and he wanted to know
how it went, so he took it to pieces.
Then he was frightened, for he did
not think he could put it together
again; but he succeeded.
Ellis father did not find out the mis-
chief until several years later.
LENA SCHWAITZBERG, Age 9.
Mt. Hope
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
Mariorie's Birthday,

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell
you about my friends birthday party.
We had great fun. There were eleven
children at Marjorie's party. We
played many games.
Refreshments We're served after the
games. The children then played other
games such as Drop the Handker-
chief" Tag" and Hide and Go Seek"
After a while everyone ran after
Marjorie to give her ten spanks. We
had great fun doing that
Marjorie received many beautiful
gifts. The children went home at Z
o'clock.
We all lad a very nice time, and I
hope all the other -Awakes have
had as nice a time as we did at Mar
jOric's party.
Faith S. CURTIS, Age 10.
Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17

Dear Uncle Jed: The forests Of the
United States cover an area Of about
500, 100000 acres, or more than thirty
five per cent. of the surface of the
country. Before so large a part of
them were destroyed they were per-
haps the richest in the world and with
proper care they may be so again.
In the northeastern states and as far
west as Minnesota, once stretched the
great white pine forest which since
settlement began the greater part of
our lumber has come.
South of it lies the southern pine
forest.
In the Mississippi valley lies the in
terror hardwood of oaks and other
hardwood trees.
Then there is the Rocky Mountain
forest, which clothes the slopes of this
range from Canada to Mexico.
The Pacific coast forest covers the
TANKS of the Sierras, the Cascade and
coast ranges. It has many important
trees some of which are the redwood
and fir.
EDWARD KUCHLE.
Mansfield Center.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
Bears.

Dear Uncle Jed: The bears in
Franklin park, Boston, are white
polars, and black and brown grizzly
bears.
The grizzly bears live in cage with
cement floors. There is bread all over
the floor. They have a pile of huge
rocks and below is a pool of water
where they battle. They get clean
water three times a week.
The white polar bears live in a sep
arate cage. They have also a pool
with rocks IN the back. They like to
splash in the cool water
Once a bear was sitting on the
rocks. Another bear came up behind
and pushed him into the water. He
came down with such a splash that
everybody who was standing by the
cage get wet.
The bear that was pushed gave the
other a blow with his paw
This is a true story.
HELEN LOWENBERGER, Age TO-
Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17
LETTERS 70 UNCLE JED.
Henry w. LonqfeITow.

low was born in Portland, Maine. Feb.
Z. 1907 He wrote many good stories
for children, which enjoy reading very
much. One was The Village Black
smith, and another, The Old Clock on
the Stair.
Longfellow spent three years IN
Germany France, Spain and Italy. He
was a professor of modern language
and literature in the Bowdoin college
at Brunswick, Me, until 1885. Then
he took the same position in Harvard
university until 1854.
He was married twice. He died in
the year 1882 at the age of IS.
GEO. w. CONE, Age 1S.
Versa lilies
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-17

poor mamma, who was sick So she
put some water N a pan on the stove
and she put into it some meat and
potatoes
The stew boiled and boiled until at
last it was done. But Lucy's little
hands were weak. In lifting the pan
she dropped it and the stew spilled all
over the floor.
Just at that moment, fortunately,
brother and Sister Molly ran in Bob
by laughed and Molly gathered up the
pieces of meat and potato and washed
the floor.
Molly kissed poor Lucy and told her
to wait until she was little older
before she tried to help
LETITIA F. FIELDS, Age II.
Norwich