davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
Dorothy's Dream.

Dorothy ran into her mothers room begging her to listen to the dream she had dreamt the night before
 q dreamt that I was dead but I heard everything you all said about me-" "f
 You said I was the best child m the family and so good natured
 You said: Heaven surely wouldn't be too good for me; and Jack was bawling away and said: He really couldn't understand why I should die so young, and that if I was alive he would give me his spare money to buy candy. esz 2.TE .-r.asv
 What horrible dream. We'll, what happened al the end?'
 "Oh. I jumped up and you all fell to kissing me. and ask how I happened to come alive after the doctors said I was dead for sure!"
 Well, is that all?" said her mother in a relieved tone.
 What else? But do you think ii I really were to die you would care so very much?"
 "Why certainly, but my little gir mustn't dream such things, but be cheerful and happy" said her mother
 T know, but it really makes me happy to know that you all would care so much for me if I were to die,' she said with a slight falter, "Anc mother. will you let me kiss you just thiS once ana I'll promise to be a good little girl, forever and ever?"
 Yes, kiss mel"
 And she did with happy heart FANNIE RYSHPAN, Age 13. Norwich, Conn.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
RIastina for prainaae.

Dear Uncle Jed: Last Thursday my teacher let two of my friends, and my self, out of school at afternoon re- cess to go to see some blasting which was to be done on the farm of one of my friends
 there to Superintend the bla-ting The teacher told us that " must have an oral composition Monday, on what we saw, so I thought I would write and tell you about it. First the men go along with iron bars and sledge hammers, making holes about two inches in diameter. less dangerous than dynarNite, and only throws the dirt a foot ,r;Aove the ground.
 To prepare the powder they cut sticks of it about seven or eight inches long, and weighing one-hah pound, in two.
 They took round steel handle and make a hole on the side of the stick of powder.
 Into this they placed a cap to which a fuse about Is inches long was at tached.
 Then they put the sticks of powder into the holes in the ground and filled them up with dirt. gently pressing it down with wooden pole, leaving four or five inches of fuse above the ground. e.
 Then it was ready for the men to light.
 When the powder went off there was an underground rumbling, and the earth near it shook and cracked. ..e E Water usually stands on this ground in the spring. and this was done for earlier drainage.
 PERLE BURDICK.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
Taftville.
The Little Red Purse.

Ned was a newsboy who sold papers to support his sick mother and baby sister. He was seven years old.
 One day Ned was selling papers when a little girl and nurse came by. The little girl slipped and fell. Ned helped her up.
 Thank you" she said sweet1y.
 The nurse hurried her along.
 Ned looked down and saw a little red purse on the snow. He picked it up. In the corner was embroidered From Grandma to Peggy"
 When he came home the baby was crying for some milk. Don't cry, baby" said Ned, q will get you some milk"
 Ned went away and soon returned with milk and food.
 That night when Mrs. Smith was going to bed she heard Ned crying She went to his led and he showed her the little red purse. He told her he had only spent fifteen cents
 The next day Mrs. Smith, Ned and the baby were on their way to Peggv's s home. They had found the address on card in the purse.
 Peggy'S mother found that Mrs. Smith was a schoolmate of hers.
 Mrs. Smith came to live in Peggy's s house and Ned was sent to school. Mrs. Smith and the baby soon got well and they all spent Q happy Christmas together.
 ANNA CORCORAN, Age 13.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
My Kitten, Beauty.

I have looked at the Norwich Cou- rier and have seen many interesting stories written by the Wide-Awakes, among which 1 would like to see mine printed, although fear it will hardly escape the waste paper basket
 My kitten, Beauty, is just like a puffball of yellow fur and is about five weeks old. She is very cute in her ways. By her color and looks she gained the name which she bears of Beauty.
 Today I made her a little cage or yard. I made 1t by taking large box (not so very big) and a few boards and pieces of string.
 Packing the string to the box, then took the string and tackled it to the boards which have been driven into the earth. Be sure you put the string high enough and close enough together to prevent the cat from getting out If you put it In the sun the cat will enjoy it and the air at the same time
 EMMA HARGEY, Age Il.
 IncasYille
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
Gladys Was Bridesmaid.

! Dear Uncle Jed: A few weeks ago my sister got married. The wedding was at our home at ? o'clock in the afternoon and there were about one hundred and twenty-five people there.
 There were two bridesmaids. I was one and my cousin was the other. An older girl was maid of honor.
 After they were married the people went up to congratulate them and they were showered with confetti
 When the people were through con- graduating them ice cream and cook ies were served. The bride had a lot of silver, linen and other useful pres ents. All of them together were worth more than one hundred and fifty dollars.
 When the people finished eating their ice cream they began to deco- rate the automobiles They tied rags on them and one they hung pair of old shoes. There was a piece of a flour bag on one which said on it, The Newlyweds.
 About two hours after they were marIasd my sister and her husband
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
protest it was decided to repair it and
 WALTER eAv1GAN. willfrnantic.
A Test of Character.

When Fred first went to school he heard the story of George Washington and how he would not tell lie.
 'I wouldn't also," said Fred. No matter what happened to me, would always tell the truth" 5s
 Now Fred had a puppy named Prince. The two used to play hide and seek" in this way. Fred would make Prince lie down while he went Prince would jump up and look for him.
 One day, while looking for good hiding place Fred noticed that the ta- blecloth was pretty large, so he hid under the table and whtstled. He heard Prince bark in Aaziswer and go looking around for him. Soon the dog poked his little nose under the cloth. and laughing with pleasure. out crawled Fred. But as he came he pulled the tablecloth by accident and made a pitcher of cream fall down and break. M
 Fred was very sad at this, but little Prince did not feel sorry bit. See ing the cream on the floor he began
 Just then Fred's mother came in. She saw the pitcher and the dog lap ping the cream. She did not see Fred who was partly under the table.
 "Oh! You naughty puppy, she cried. -
 Hearing this Fred came out from under the table. 'N wasn't the dog fault, ma," he said.
 He then told his mother all about it. His mother was very glad that he told the truth and kissed him.
 JACOB MASTER. Age 12. BoZrahville.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
South Canterbury.
The Largest School.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would write to you about my school. It is the largest school in Springfield. and has 1880 children. The numper of my room is 31. and there are higher numbered rooms than that. so you see there are quite a lot of rooms.
 MT. Candltn is the principal, though I don't see very much of him as he is very busy.
 I am in eighth grade and have lovely teacher; her name being Miss White. -eH,-t
 The name of my school is the Chestnut street school; and I have rather a long Eays to go. At noon- time I ride home.
 There are two front entrances to my school and two side entrances. The building is so large. there are five es- capes in different parts of 1t.
 The way we study is just like high school, for almost every study we go to different rooms. My own teacher gives us arithmetic, reading, spelling and penmanship.
 For science, study periods, English, sewing and drawing we go to other rooms. We also have singing in our own room but we have special teach CT for it. .ael We'll. I think have said enough this time, but will write soon about something else. I hope some of the WideAwakes will write about their JUNE JOHNSON, Age 12. Chicopee, Mass.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
Skunk Hunting.

One night about o'clock Theodore Kendall and I went out skunk hunt ing. It was just the right time for them to run. We went down throush a few lots and did not see any skunks. We became discouraged, so we started to go visiting.
 We went to Theodore Kendalrs sis ter's house and stayed about an hour. Then we started on our way home. Soon we ran across d black skunk. It was digging in the ground fer grubs and worms to eat He did not see me, so I got him by the tail and put him in the bag.
 Just as we got him in the bag the dog parked up about ten feet away from us. This time it was a white skunk When we got him in the bag he began to scratch and was trying To get away, but it was in vain.
 Then we went over to Eddie Pres toms Iand, and the dog parked about half a mile away. It was a. long, run, but it had to be done. -'
 When we got there the skunk was right near the wall and was going in, but I grabbed him by the tail and put him in the bag. After that we did not get any more.
 I took the first one we caught and Theodore took the two white ones.
 The first night 1 put him in a bar rel and put box over it so he could not get out.
 The next morning he was there, so put him in my skunk coop and locked the door. When I got home from school he was still there, so did not think he would get away.
 The next morning at half past seven he was gone The dog opened the door and chased out the skunk and let him go in the stone wall When I found him gone and the door open l thought it funny, but to prove that the dog let him go I afterwards found him ir there eating the meat I had for the skunk.
 I have skunk now that I can pick up in my arms and pet like a kitten ] GEORGE BUDEIT, Age 13.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09


 Although he was only fanciful per- member him as if I had seen him yes- any where from seventy five to one was tanned, making him look like a. half breed. contrasted with the scars lon his face which were of a dirty, liv- ed white. Deep set wrinkles mar red his face. Piercing, black eyes, wkich were set far back in his fore head. seemed to send forth sparks of living fire when he was angry, and curtain of greyish eyelashes shaded his terrible eyes. His eyebrows did not part. but formed a straight line across his prominent forehead now old and wrinkled. His nose was long and pointed and deep scar showed from his nose across his 1ert cheek. His mouth was large and his lips loose and sagging. Sharp, pointed teeth like those of beast of prey showed when he opened his mouth. Ills hair was white and very song, hanging in straggly locks over his forehead But the most conspicuous feature of his face was his long. white beard reach ing far below his chest, curling at the ends
 One garment he wore. This was a hugo Hons skin, draped around his body, showing his tanned arms and muscles. which had been great in his younger days. His legs were bare and he wore pair. of sandals bound with thongs of boars hide. In one hand he held huge bow.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
1.-THE WIDE AWAKE CIRCLE
 BOYS AND GIRLS DEPARTMENT

Blue Grass Seminary Gfriss Vacation Adventures.
 2-June Johnson, of Chicopee. Mass. Little by Little.
 s-Perle 5urdieIe, of South Canter- Congratulated at Roselands.
 4-Mildred Brandy, of Yantio-Mil- dred and Elsie.
 5-GIadys Young, of Moosup-The Blue Grass Seminary Girls in the Mountains.
 Alvin La chapeIIe, of South Canter- terbury-The Soldier Boy.
 7-Georse 5urdeit, of Lisbon-F1ght- ing Joe.
 s-GIadys Thompson, of Mansfield Depot-Motor-Cy Chums Through Historic America 9-CharIes p. MeGrath /. of North Franklin-Book of Boats and Ships.
 Josephine Bovoricl<, of Norwich-A prize book for you at Bulletin Busi- ness Office.
 The winner of prize books may cal at The Bulletin Business Office fol them at any hour after 10 a. m. or Thursday.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
UNCLE JED's TALK WITH WIDE
 AWAKES.

If I were a Wide-Awake I think I should read the rules and then write just as the rules advise.
 The best story written last week was by little girl who lost because Uncle Jed did not know where to send the book.
 The books go astray in the mail if the Wide-Awakes are not careful to put on the number of the R. F. D. route, or of the street or post office box: and some of them are very care less.
 Then if I were a Wide-Awake and wrote: with such poor ink, or, su,h a poor pencil I could not hardly read it myself, I should do it over so 1t would be acceptable and so the printers would not make any mistakes in it.
 Then if I were a Wide-Awake I should go to the post office if the mail was not delivered just as soon as could after I saw my name in the list of winners. for the books have only failed once in five years of being mailed g on the day before the letters appear in the paper.
 And if the book did not reach me in one week should write letter to Uncle Jed and tell him had not re- ceived 1t. and I should be more par ticular than ever in writing my name and my full post office address as plain as possible so the book would not go astray.
 It is very seldom Uncle Jed has any trouble, and when he does the name has either been blindly written or part of the address omitted.
 We hope the Wide-AwalSes who like 10 make pictures will work sharp : to win the four books to be given out In December for the best picture sent In during November.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
The Morgan Memorial.

Built on Hartford's Main street the WadsWorIh Atheneum and Morgan Memorial form a beautiful addition to the city's many fine public buildings, latter is of Snow-white marble the two being joined by an annex which en- ab1es one to pass from one to the other.
 Walks lead up to the buildings and in the center of tne lawn between the two, stands statue of Nathan Hale in bronze on marble pedestal.
 If we should enter the Atheneum we would find an up-to-date city n- brary, with large reading rooms on the first floor. A wide staircase leads to the second floor and climbing this we find ourselves in a large room; glass cases displaying all kinds of nd-embroideries, glassware, china, old toys and jewelry are all around. In the center of the room is a case of old sheet-music, the greater part of which is dedicated to our national heroes.
 Passing from this room we find our selves in long hall hung with many paintings tall case filled with old pistols, swords, guns, trophies and let ters, from the collection of the late Col. Colt stands by the entrance to another room-which proves to be a picture gallery.
 The memorial is noted for it's many fine paintings, and four or five more halls filled with these works of art follow.
 After viewing the paintings we go to the coin room where thousands of rare coins, medals, and documents are exhibited. Se
 Next comes room filled with every kind of mineral, quartz, stone or coral formation you could name. One Of the collections in this room is val ued at $10,000. A room containine old pottery, Indian relics etc., follow
 We then go down-sta and find ourselves on the ground floor of the Morgan Memorial. Entering the main hall we view many fine statues, tap estries and pieces of furniture. There are many small rooms in the Memorial and these contain china, silver, old lace, carved furniture, Egyptian stat uary, books, pence-bags, vases and let ters.
 In the basement we find all sorts o1 stuffed animals, reptilean and birds Also, the eggs of the latter which are displayed in long cases.
 Having seen all there is to be seer we leave the building and are once again on Main street. One block below the Memoria stands the New City Hall, hand some piece of architecture, built o1 white stone. Two fountains stand or each side of the main entrance add. ing to the beauty of the scene. Before this fine edtflce was bull the Old State House at the corner o, Main and StaSe streets was, used as 6 City HalL Recsntly it was booked ts be torn down @tt there arose such 6
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
A Halloween Surprise Party.

Dear Uncle Jed: thought would write and tell you about surprise party we had on one of our school girls.
 Two of my friends and myself wrote the invitations and gave them out to all the girls and boys in our room. and also to the teachers. So on Friday night, Oct. 20, 1916, we started and got up to her house at 7.30 o'clock.
 She was very surprised and very glad. We played games. Two of them had never played before, and think they are very nice, one is Ring on the String, and the other is Magic Writ ing. Perhaps some of the Wide Awakes know how to play them.
 After we had become tired of play ing games we played and sang many songs; then we had coffee, cake, sand wiches, fruit, candy and peanuts. After we had finished eating we played a few more games and then started for home at 10 o'clock, after having spent, a very pleasant time in spite of the rain.
 MILDRED MORLEY.
 Eao1eyi1le
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
BobtaiI Friday.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell you a true story about a little black and white bobtail kitten and how I got him.
 As my father worked far from home he always carried his dinner in a fold ing lunch box. One morning on going to work he said: T am not feeling we'll and might be home by dinner time.'
 It happened to be Friday, so mamma said she would have fish chowder for supper. In little while papa came home, putting his lunch box on the table.
 Mamma said: 'I can see you are not feeling well. I suppose you have brought your dinner back"
 Papa said: "Yes, give it to me and will eat it now.'
 Just as soon as mamma look the cover off the box, out jumped the lit- tie kitten, most into the bowl of chowder. We laughed and thought it good joke. I christered the kitten Bobtail Friday.
 ALVIN LACHAPELLE, Age 12. South Canterbury.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
POETRY.
WHY THE DOGS NOSE IS ALWAYS s COLD,

What makes the dog:s nose always
 coidr' I'll try to tell you. curls of gold, If you will good and quiet be. And come and stand by mammals
 knee; t....-....- .--. We'll, years and years and years ago How many I don't really know There came a rain on sea and shore; Its like never seen before Or since. It fell unceasingly down, Till ell the world began to drown. Put just before it gan to pour, An old, old man-his name was Built him an ark, that he might save His family from a watery grave; And in 1t he designed To shelter two of every kind Of beast. We'll dear, when it was And heavy clouds obscured the sun, The Noah folks to it quickly ran, And then the animals began To gravely walk along in pairs; The leopards tigers, wolves and bears, The deer the hippopotamuses, The rabbits, squirrels, elks and wal
 ruses, The camels, goats, cats and donleys, The tall giraffes. the beavers, mon-
 keys,
 The rats, the big rhinoceroses, The dromeda ries and the horses,
  Hyenas, elephants koodoos, And hundreds more-'twould take all
 day,
 My dear so very many names to say And at the very. very end Of the procession, by his friend And master, the faithfu, dog was seen. The livelong time he'd helping been Tcl drive the crowd of creatures in; And now, with loud exultant bark, Me gayly sprang aboard the ark. Alas! so crowded was the space, He could not In it find a place, So, patiently he turned about Stood half way in and half way out. And those extremely heavy showers Descended through nine hundred
 hours
 And more; and. darling. at their close, Half-frozen was his honest nose; And never could it lose again 4 Tie dampness of that dreadful rain; And that is what, my curls of gold, Makes all the doggies' noses cold.
 (Copied from a poem in an old scrapbool<, signed "Madge Elliot in Raldwin's Monthly)
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
LETTERS FROM wIDE-AwAKEs.
A Kitten Saves a Girls Life,

A little girl and her kitten were talk ing walk near a river. The kitten was the sniartest of it's kind and knew the difference between danger and se- curity.
 After a timo the kitten came back and began walking up and down in front of the childs mother and crying pitiously. It was trying to attract her attention.
 Finally the mother followed the kit ten which led to a recreation pier, where the child was found hanging down from a large spike in the pier
 She had fallen over and her cloth ing caught on the spike.
 When her mother rescued her she was barely conscious.
 Had she remained in that position five minutes longer she would have been dead.
 BLANCHE LUCIER.
 TaftVille.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
The Earth,

The earth is the home of man and it is a round planet consisting of one fourth land and three-fourths water.
 We can only see small portion of the land at one time, so it does not look round, but we have many proofs showing that 1t is round.
 One proof is that many people have sailed around it: and another proof, that we can see the smoke of @ steam CT before the hull is in sight above the horizon.
 The moon is smaller than the earth, but the sun is many times larger; but 1t lights only one side of the earth at one time.
 The earth revolves continually, and the revolving of the earth gives us seasons, and the rotation gives us day and night. The path the earth takes each year in going around the sun is called the orbit
 The shadow of the earth on the moon is called an eclipse of the moon, tween the earth and the sun and causes the eclipse of the sum-
 Snow and ice are not found in the regions around the equator and it is only found in colder parts of fhe land. Dense forests cover much of the earth near the equator.
 One-half of the earth Is called 8 hemisphere.
 The equator divides. the earth into northern and southern hemisphere. and one is called the land hemisphere and the other the water
 While the lands are being slowly up- lifted to form highlands, the rocks may break and slip, causing the earth to tremb1e for miles around. and the trembling is called an earthquake.
 HELEN GOODNESS. Age Is. Canterbury.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-09
Lisbon.
Little Petro.

Dear Uncle Jed: One morning in the
 great city of New York ragged little
 newsboy was trudging merrily along
 with his bundle of papers.
 where a lady sat watching for him.
 "Ah. here is my Petro," she said,
 as he handed her a paper. As she gave him the two cents for
 it he lifted his torn red cap and said
 Thank you, ma'am," in his bright cheery voice.
 Petro had sold paper to this same
 lady every morning for many weeks. She was not able to walk at all, so she sat at her pleasant window and watched for her bright faced newsboy. Petro was a happy child, always laughing and showing the big dimples in his round cheeks.
 am sorTy to say that he did not look very tidy s$ But then he had no mother to teach him how to- take care of himself.
 But Petro knew how to sell papers. People were glad to buy of him, for them were always sure of a pleasant Thank you!" as the pennies dropped into his small pocket. ' One morning the sick lady said to
 him: 'Petro. have you any water Petro smiled and said: 'Yes, ma'am. !" 'Well," said the lady, eff you should use some of that water on those little hands and on your bright face they | would look much nicer. When you come with your hands and face clean, I will buy two papers of you. I can give one to a friend who will be glad | to have it."
 1 Petro's black eyes eshone as he promised the lady he would try to do as she wished.
 Early the next morning he came, his ! bright face fairly shining with the hard washing he had given it. And two very clean hands held up two pa- pers to the lady at the window. | "Oh, lfow nice Petro looks!' said she, taking the papers and giving him two cents for each.