davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
MARY E. BROWN.
Stonington.
My Trip tor Boston.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought the Wide Awakes would like to hear about my trip to Boston.
 We went to the public gardens, with bag of peanuts and a box of walnuts. The pigeons were soon following us. We sat down on bench and fed them. They are very tame and will sit on your shoulder or hands.
 The squirrels are very tame, too. would be talking with my mother and the squirrel would come and take a nut from my hand.
 I put nut up my sleeve, then he came along and was hunting all over for it. He spied the box of nuts, but my mother would not let him get into it, so he sat on the back of the bench and looked funny I gave the nut to him.
 Then I put another nut upFny sleeve and he stuck his head up my sleeve and took the nut and ran away with it.
 We also went in the subway and on the elevated trains, through the tun- nels, and to the library, to the art mu- scum and saw many pictures and other things
 We visited my cousins and other friends; also went shopping in the big stores, up moving stairs and down elevators. Had meals in beautiful restaurants with fine music. We also enjoyed the moving pictures.
 VIOLET DEDRICKSON, Age g. Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
ANCIENT OCEANS IN
 NORTHERN MAINE
Ancient Oceans in Northern Maine.

One of the interesting problems that the geologis: is required to solve ir tracing the development of the earth's surface to it's present form is that of determining the areas nf lard and sea during different ages. Tic story of the land and sea is written iC ths rocks that underly the several conti- nents: the geologiSt must decipi.er 1t. The abundant remains of sea animals in regions which are now far from the sea furnish clear evidence that great changes have taI.en place on the earth's surface since tine eraS in which these creatures lived. The accurate interpretation of this evidence $, how ever, slow and difficult, and much in forna tion is still needed befort it will be possible to do more than make ten tatlve paleogeographic maps maps that show roughly the outlines of an cient continents and seas-for the whole world, or even for fairly well known areas. Consequently, an eSpe- cial scientific value is attached to any contribution to knowledge bearing on the correlation of the rock formations of the different contincrts--that is, on the Identification of formations laid down during the same epoch Such wide correlaticns are supported chiefly by the character of the animal and
 
 a group or association of the same types of living forms occurred at es- sentiat1y the same time indifferent parts of the world. and from such an occurrence the geologist car draw valid inferences as to ancient seog- raphy. This principle is especially ap- pIicabe to sea animals. for ths> condi- tio1s of life are less variable in the sea than on the land. many sea forms have a wide distribution. and the chances of the preservation of such forms are much greater.
 Such a contribution to the know ledge of ancient conditions is contained in Professional Paper S9 of the United States geological survey. department of tfe interior on the Fauna of the Chairman Sanstone Of Maine" by H. S. Williams and e. L. Breser. which discusses the fossils found in the Chapman sandstone of Aroostook county, Me. near Presque Isle. The fauna described comprises 127 species and varieties belonging to various groups of Invertebrates ard one fish, and may safely be correlated with a later phase of the Heidelberg fauna, which lived in the very early Devonian
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21

When school was dismissed Katrina discovered that all the little girls were provided with umbrellas; moreover,
 they whispered while gazing at her
 Sunday" white dress and dainty hat
 She thought Elizabeth Morgan said, Serves her right" It soon became
 evident that one of them intended to share an umbrella with Katrina. At last little Angie Munson was so sure
 of the fact that she did a brave thing.
 She offered to take Katrina home be- heath her old family umbrella. It was
 the worst-looking umbrella in the vil
 lage: faded into a dinsy brown with
 ribs bent and twisted.
 The boys played tent with it," An
 gie explained, blushing rosy red at the
 same time. She was so ashamed of
 that umbrella.
 Its big enough for two. though ?
 Katrina interrupted, and I don't want
 to get wet. Angie, you are the dearest
 girl ever"
 Before Angie and Katrina had walk ed a block Angie had forgotten to be
 ashamed of her umbrella. The cloak of vanity Katrina had been wearing
 seemed to slip off in that shower, and
 some way, beneath the Munson family
 umbrella, Miss Katrina returned to
 herself, becoming once more the little girl she used to be.
 On reaching Katrina's home, Angie was persuaded against her will to come III and nave cup or hot chOco- late.
 "But I'm in hurry to get home to- night" she said to Katrina's mother. We won't keep you more than ten minutes, urged Katrina, "so you must come in"
 When Angie stepped out on the veranda to take her umbrella, it was gone.
 Your brother borrowed It." explain | ed the groeer's boy, who had been waiting at g. neighbor's gate. q heard him say he was going to borrow it for half an hour while you were visiting with Katrina
 70, dear" exclaimed Angie, then by the time get home Aunt Florence will be gone. She said she couldn't" Why, don't forget that l have an umbrella" interrupted Katrina. dash l ing into the hall and returning. with the pearl-handled blue silk umbrella that had waited SO long for a shower. What, that?" demanded Angie, scarcely believing her own eyes 1 Why, of course. And, dear me, I never was so glad to be the owner of it as I am this minute l All the way down the long village street that afternoon Katrina,s school 1 mates gazed in wonder through their windows when they saw Angie Nun
 sons smiling face beneath the blue | silk umbrella.
 This is the end of the umbrella story, because when Katrina discov- | cred that her new umbrella was big enough for two, she discovered at the same time the way to happiness. She had so nearly missed the path!- Frances M. Fox, in Northwestern Christian Advocate.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
Serdeant Jasper.

One of the bravest of Marian's men was Sergeant Jasper. He was noted for his bold deads. Here is oIs of which VIII tell you: The Americans were building fort in Charleston to keep the city from the British. Before the fort was built the British ships came and be- gan to fire upon it. But the fort was made of a wood called palmetto wood, which grows in South Carolina.
 It is a soft but tough wood. The cannon balls sunk into it like a sponge, but they did not do much harm to the men inside the fort.
 One of tIese balls broke the flagstaff. The flag fell to the ground outside the fort. Sergeant Jasper climbed over the wall of the fort, picked up the flag and fastened it to the staff once more. When General Moultrfe saw this he was proud of Jasper. He even gave his own sword to Jasper This brave sergeant was afterwards killed in bat tie.
 JOHN SHEA, Age 13.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
Norwich


Lost,
 One hot day last summer my two sisters and I went out into the woods. It was so pleasant in the woods that we sat down on a large rock and watched the birds as they flew from branch to branch.
 By and by, as we were wandering around, we came to a wall where the blackberries grew large and sweet, so we sat down to eat few.
 After we were tired of eating ber- ries we walked on through the woods, but the woods grew thicker and darker and the birds stopped singing.
 We became frightened and thought we would like to go home.
 While I was walking towards home strange animal I had never seen before flew before my eyes and fright ened me so that I screamed
 My sisters, seeing that I was so frightened, looked up and saw that the strange animal was only 8 bat.
 Being so excited over the bat, we took the wrong path and we were so afraid of having to stay in the woods all night, we sat down on a large rock and cried for help.
 We did not have to wait long, for our old dog Bob came tozour aid. He showed us the way home and we found the folks just sitting down to the table for supper.
 ZELNfA, ROCHELEAU, Age g. North Franklin.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE
 AWAKES

I, mistrust the Wide-Awalzes wish every week was Christmas week, for there is no honor list that week, but every one fortunate enough to have a letter printed on the page receives a Christmas preesnt.
 Do you know that of all the Wide Awal1es who have won books from The Bulletin in the past six years Uncle Jed has never known but one or two to speak to of those who have received the two thousand four hun dred books. He has more than 25 letters a week from his big family of children, or more than twelve hun dred letters year which would make in the six years over seven thousand letters. Wide -Awakes, we keep the postal clerks busy; and we expect to for some time to come.
 Do you know some of the Wide Awa1res of the first year have grown up to manhood and womanhood, and we .lxnow of one who is doing busi- ness for himself in another state. We are sal1 growing up with the country
 Uncle Jed has never had but one sassy letter in the whole time and the little girl who wrote 1t feels sorry and. Uncle Jed feels sorry she wrote 1t, too. He is quite sure it will be long while before she will write an- other. It is a good rule which keeps us from putting our temper in ink upon paper. Discreet people never al low.themselves to do it.
 Uncle Jed hopes all the Wide Awakes will have a Merry Christmas ana that the New Year will be the best year they have ever known.
 The letters and stories written tc Uncle Jed are credit to the writers and to the schools which they repre- sent, nnd we hope during 1917 we sha1 receive more letters than ever.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21

time that I have written a story to the Wide-Aawase Circle. have taken much delight in reading the stories every Thursday.
 Their was once little boy named Billy. His mother was a widow and his sister was an invalid since she
 was born. He had to sell papers so as to earn some money to support his
 mother and sister. As he was selling his papers one
 day he noticed a stand filled with
 fruit As he was noticing 1t a large
 mellow pear fell from the stand. He felt like taking it home to his poor,
 sick sister but he knew it would be wrong. He thought it best to take it to
 the owner of the store. He said to him, Here, MT. This pear fell from
 your stand
 Why did you not keep it for your self,'' said the man. Billy said, Tt would be wrong be- cause it does not belong to me" | The man was so pleased with his honesty that he gave him a whole bag Of pears. Billy thanked the man very much and brought the pears home to his mother and sister. The owner of the store always liked Billy after that. CATHERINE FINNEGAN, Age 10. Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21

time in eastern North America, and with the so-called Hercynian fauna of Europe. The ChaDTTIan fauna IS in- termadiate in character between these two and thus forms a link connecting the two continents. It contains enough identical and closely related species in common with each of the other faunas to prove that it was approximately contenporaneous with them. It is. furthermore, younger than the tile. stone fauna, the uppermost member of the English Silurian, or the late SiIurian marine fauna Of Arisai9, Nova Scotia, and hence helps to es- tablish a common upper boundary for the Silurian rocks on both sides of the Atlantic
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
Our Cat.

Dear Uncle Jed. Our cat will play with us days. We take a string and keep it going on the floor or on the ground and he will play with it. He is cunning. When he wants to go out doors he will jump up and scratch on the door and say: Meow! Meow!"
 When he wants to come in he will jump on the door. He will get up on the window sill in the house and play with the curtain. He will get up on the shelf. When we are sitting down he will jump in our lap, and he will get up in the woodbox and sit down on the wood. He will catch snakes, ground moles, mice. grasshop- pers and bullfrogs.
 He is g. little gray kitten. He will jump and run and play all day. If we bother him he will scratch us and bite us. If we go anywhere he will follow us and want to go, too. We make him go back home. We have to chase him or else he won't go back. He likes to play with us. He likes to play with a spool of thread. He will roll all around the room and get it un- wound. Then we have to take it away from him.
 MARY E. BROWN.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
KATRINA'S NEW UMBRELLA

Katrina longed for rain. For that matter, so did the farmers. Their reasons were different. Katrina longed for rain because Aunt Patricia had brought her from New York a pearl- handled, blue silk umbrella. There was nothing like it in the village. The farmers, so far from thinking of um- brellas, would have rejoiced in a shower hard enough to make their roofs leak, so great was the danger of losing their crops.
 From the time Katrina was the pos seSsor of this new umbrella, she put on surprising airs. At first the little girls in her class at school were envi- ous, as Katrina wished them to be. Then, as days passed and Katrina be- came a wee bit lofty in all her ways, the girls began to realize that their little friend had placed between her self and them that blue silk umbrella Katrina couldn't explain an example In fractions at the blackboard without a. certain uplift in her chin that seem ed to say. Behold. I do this beneath the shelter of the finest umbrella in town.''
 If Katrina could have had her way, she would have carried the umbrella to school and used it as a parasol This vanity her mother would not a1- low, so there was nothing for the um- brella to do but wait for a shower In the meantime the little girls who
 
 gan leaving her out of their games Katrina said they were jealous, not realizing what 8 disagreeable child she had become in a few weeks. Aunt Pa tricia would have been surprised had she known that instead of telling the little girls how much she loved her auntie, Katrina had been bragging about this antics home in New York, and how many servants she kept. There was a time when Katrina was different. Her mother noticed a sad change in the little girl even be fore the umbrella came. She was worried as any mother would be who knows that a kind heart is much bet ter than the possession of many pearl handled silk umbrellas.
 One Friday afternoon when the school children were to have music and recitations instead of their les ] sons, there were clouds in the sky. Katrina slid she was sure it was go- ing to rain; nevertheless mother shook her head when the child insisted that she must carry her new umbrella Mother didn't believe it was going to rain that day. This shows that she wasn't a good weather prophet It began to rain before the children had been in school half an hour By the time Katrina had performed her part of the program by reciting We Are Seven," rain was pelting ofi the school | as if it meant to continue without | stopping for g. week.
 Katrina thought of her umbrella; l; l then she thought of mothers black silk umbrella: next she wished for mothers common umbrella; after that she remembered with longing the old | umbrella in the attic.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
THE WIDE AWAKE CIRCLE
BOYS ARD GIRLS DEPARTMENT
LETTERS OF AckNowl zoaMeNr

Alice Williams, of Norwich--d thank you very much for the prtze book I received for drawing. have read the book through and think it very inter esting.
 Roger B. Miner, of North Franklin I received the prize book and was much pleased with it.
 Arlene Pearl, of Augusta. Mel re- ceived the prize book you sCnt me this morning and find it very interesting. Thank you very much for it.
 Kathleen Johnson, of Yantic-I re- ceived the prize book. I have read 1t and like it very much.
 CecIe Bessette, of Moosup-I am a little late in thanking you for the nice book you sent me; but I have been sick for two weeks. I am going to try and win another soon. like the book very much.
 Leo PoIiquin, of Versailles-I thank you very much for the prize book you sent me. I have read it and found it very interesting.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
An Adventure of Robin Redbreast.

There once lived in the north a man and little boy. These two had to mind a fire, for if it should go out the big white bear would rule over the land; but one day the man fell i'll and the little boy had to mind the fire, but the boy fell asleep and the large white bear came and put out the fire.
 robin near by flew down and there was still little spark going, so the robin famed it with it's wings till it blazed up again; then the robin flew away, and every time he came to a cabin or house he flew down and made a little fire everywhere, because his breast was red with fire.
 And ever after that the robins had eed breasts.
 CELIA HUNTLEY, Age g.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
Norwich
RecoIIeetions of a Dear Friend,

Dear Uncle Jed: am going to tell you and the Wide-Awakes of one of our young friends who died of infan- tile paralysis.
 For the last two years she came from New York to visit her grand mother who lives near our home and schooIhouse.
 During our recess and noon hours we would have a good time with her at her grandmother's home We grew to be great friends. When we had an entertainment she would recite and sing, as she was a beauti- full singer
 She did not come this year as she had infantile paralysis and died soon after going home.
 Our Sunday school class raised a small fund and sent it to a hospital in memory of our little friend She was very fond of flowers, so we picked a beautiful bouquet and sent them to her mother to put on her grave.
 GERTRUDE BLATHERWICK,
 Age Is. Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE.
 AWAKES.
Good Manners.

Don't forget to say Good morning." and say it cheerfully. and with smile, for it will do you good, and do your friends good.
 There's a. kind inspiration in every Good morning" heartily spoken which helps to make hope fresher and work lighter. It seems really to make the morning good and to be a prophecy of Q good day to come after 1t.
 And if this be true of the Good morning." it is<se also. of kind, heart some greetings: they cheer the dis couraged, rest the tired one, and some how make the wheels of life run more smoothly. --'
 Be liberal with good words, then, and let no morning pass, however dark and gloomy it may be, that you do not help at least to brighten by your smiles and cheerful words, some ones day.
 OSCAR MATHEWSoN, Age 12.
 Versailles
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21

Dear Uncle Jed: I am very much interested in the Wide-Awake circle and thought I would write and tell you about my school. dish.
 We have twenty-four scholars in the school.
 I am in the fourth grade There are five in my grade.
 We are praeticing for 8 Christmas entertainment and I have a piece to speak,
 We have a Christmas Crazy Class and a salutatory song that I am in we also have a pantomime
 We are going to have a Christmas tree after we have the entertainment I will write and tell you all about it.
 CORA C. CARPENTER, Age 8.
 Columbia.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
Rules for Young Writers.

I. Write plainly on one side of the paper only. and number the onges. Z Use pen and ink, not pencil. S Short and pointed articles will 250 words.
 z Original stories or letters only will be used.
 k Write your name. age and ad- dress plainly at the bottom of the story.
 Address all communications to Uncle Jed, Bulletin Office.
 Whatever you ar1-Be that! Whatever you Say-Be truei
 Straightforwardly act, Be honest-in fact,
 Be nobody else but you"
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
December Pleasures.

Dear Uncle Jed: I will write you a story about winter.
 The cool. mild days of November are gone by and the cold December days are here. Many of the children are very glad because they can go skat- ing, and have lots of fun sliding down hill; but most of all Santa Claus will climb down the chimney and bring toys to good boysh and girls.
 Santa Claus doesn't come to any child's house unless they are very good. I don't believe our chimney will be too hot for him to come down. Soon all the happy days will be gone by and spring will come at last
 A merry Christmas and a bright and happy New Year to all.
 CARRIE A. GELO, Age 12.
 Montyille
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
Versailles.
Grace Darlinq.

Grace Darling was the daughter of William Darling. One night a storm came up. Just then an unlucky ship drifted toward the coast. The storm had opened a leak in the vessel and the water came in so fast that it put the fires. This stopped the engines and no human power could keep the vessel off the rocks. She struck them with such force that the ship split in two.
 Nine persons were left clinging to the wreck. In the morning Grace got up and looking through the spyglass caught sight of the poor creatures on the rock. She woke her father and told him to come to the rock and save the people.
 The father knew the danger of an open boat on such a sea. When they reached the rock they got all the per- sons aboard and saved sthem all
 MARK POUNCI, Age 10.
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
THE BIRDS CHRISTMAS.

By Nellie M. COy1e. Why hot make a Christmas present TO the birds that with us stay When the snowflalSes fast are falling, And the skies are dull and gray Just a little bag of suet
 That can dangle from tree WfYf the woodpeckers give pleasure; While the merry chickadee May be made supremely happy
 By crumbs scattered round our
 door
 And as soon as these are eaten
 He will quickly chirp for more. AN. Christmas, the time of giving. Heed then these advising words, And do not neglect to furnish
 Some such presents for the birds.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
My Pet Squirrel.

Dear Uncle Jed: One Sunday when my father and I were walking through the wood, we saw a baby squirrel. My father ran swiftly for 1t and soon caught it.
 When we came home tried to teach the. squirrel, but could not the first time. He is very lively and can jump very high.
 After a while I coaxed it so 1t would come to me, and eat nuts from my hand. So I had father make little house for it. It will sit on it's hind legs as much as to say: Please may I have some nuts?" I give him some.
 CATHARINE KELLY. Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
My First Hunt.

Last season, the first day the law was off, my father and went hunting. Before we started I said in fun: T will bring home a fox"
 We hadn't gone far when papa said in a low voice: Keep stilli' He stopped and fired. I looked to see what he had fired at, and I saw a fox jump into the air, and then he run a short ways and then fell beside some bushes dead.
 I picked him up and put him on my back and started for home. When we got near the house I let my father go in first.
 Mamma asked papa: What did you get?"
 Papa said: "Only a chipmunk" I walked in with the fox on my back. weighed him and he weighed II 1-2 pounds. It was a red fox and so pret- ty that I should like to have had it stuffed
 ROGER B. MINER North Franklin.
 A Boys Honesty.
 Dear Uncle Jed:-This is the first
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
My Pet Kitten.

Dear Uncle Jed: While I was on the farm spending my vacation, one warm day we went in search Of wal nuts. While we were looking for them we found a little kitten half dead by the side of the road. We brought the kitten home and nursed it and soon it became well again.
 We taught the kitten many tricks. It could do almost anything. It often ran about and played with ball of string. It is very jolly little kit ten. We all love it very much and we are going to bring it home with us.
 ELEANOR HUNTLEY, Age 10.
 Nnryx-ioh
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-21
My Pet Cat,

Dear Uncle Jed: While I was vis- iting my playmate she gave me a cat I brought it home and had it for one of my pets. I taught it not to run away.
 Every morning early I would feed 1t on milk and oatmeal. One day when I went to look for her, very much to my surprise, I spied four little kittens. so I took her in the house and put her safely in a box with her babies and when they grew to understand, we were very good friends.
 HELEN KELLEY. icI