davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
TEDDY's LESSON.

Come, Teddy" said Mrs. West, "it's
time for the cows to come home.''
But Teddy was reading a story
want to be disturbed. just then.
20 mother, wait little while" he
said.
A little later Hester came to the
door.
Teddy. you ought to get the cows
Bother the cows!" replied Teddy,
Grossly, and his sister went away.
Soon a mans face appeared at the
window.
Edward, the cows" said Mr. West,
and when his father spoke like that,
Teddy lost no time IN obeying
Sulkily he laid down his book and
walked through the kitchen, where his
mother and sister were cooking the
supper and his father was piling up
the kindling wood for the morning s
fire.
Il hate cows!" Teddy erumbled as
ne walked slowly across the pine
floor. They're a bother, and I wish
we didn't have any. wish nobody
had any. Cows are no good, ANYWAY,
just in the way. 1 hate cows!'
An hour later, the cows were safe
was in better hunner, He was hungry
too, after the walk to the meadow and
back, in the fresh. bracinE air.
A fine round of meat was smoking
on the table. but there was none on
Tedy's plate.
This Is beef" said Mr.. West. / did
not give you any because you hate
cows, Teddy"
Tedy opened his mouth and then
closed it again without saying a word
Il won't give You any butter, Teddy
said Mrs. West, because we get our
butter from the cows and you hats
them So"
Hester poured out milk for the Other
children, but to Teddy she gave glass
of water.
@cows are such a bother. she. said
soberly. Il know you don't want any
milk"
Teddy looked wistfuliy at the plate
OF creamy cheese. but it was passed to
everyone but him. But, worst OF all
when the custards were brought in
sweet and brown in their little, white
cups, Teddy was passed by.
"Of course you wouldn't eat custards
for they are made mostly of milk, and
L cows are no good said Aunt Hetty,
| Teddy looked as if he would cry.
I'll haven't had anything to eat, ;
he blurted. 'sJuet bread, without any
butter. and potatoes and water. ]
wish hadn't said those things about
the COWS" @
Everybody smiled then, and no one
objected when Hester, sIyly passed &c
him q cup OF custard.--E.N. Pearce il
Youths Companion.
=
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27

line dotted with red near the horizon.
why. It's the British, I'll be bound"
he murmured, puckering his brow.
Now, OH how fast I'll ride back and
report the news to Captain William
SON. and he certainly did ride as he
never rode before.
On reaching his unole's headquarters
he jumped OF his tired horse. took
him to the stable, and ran breathlessly
into the room where his uncle was
seated smoking a cigar.
He saluted and waited until his
uncle spoke, when he said:
''oh, unelei uncle! the British are
comingi The British are coming
Seven miles from here saw them" "
Not so fast, my boy, not SO fast.
understand that you said the British
were coming. Very well. ring for my
aide
Owen did so. and then sat down and
told. his uncle all he had seen.
The Americans were ready for the
attack and Owen was given a reward
He was very proud of this and thanked
Captain Williamson.
FANNY RYSHPAN, Age IL.
Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
Ponto Ia n Very KNOWING Cat.

We have a cat whom we call Pom
to. Ponto is a large tiger colored
tabby, who lives all over the place
and is as much to home in house as
any of the family. Ever since the
day he was born, he has boxed around
his brothers and sisters in q most
waggish manner. Whenever he wants
anything he Is sure to get 1t. He
never steals, but he has a way of tell
ing you q thing would be acceptable.
Ponto doesn't like sweet oil which
mother sometimes gives the cats. If
she can get the cup and spoon in
front Of him before he notices it he
will take it without being held.
The other day he heard mother tell
one of the neighbors she was going
to give Ponto some sweet oil. When
she turned around Ponto was nowhere
to be found. He didn't come back fo1
four or i've hours.
Ponto likes to be dressed up in 9
little blue suit ] have for him. The
little hat Is just large enough for his
head and runs UP to point on the
| top Of which is a tassel of blue yarn
| He will let me wheel him around in q
dolls carriage with a tiny pillow I'M
der his head and q dolls nursing bot
tie in his lap. He will sit in different
| positions for me to take his pictures
He is very contented II he is in the
| center of attraction.
ANNIE FARNELI, Age 13.
| Stonington.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
WIDE-AWAKE STORIES
A LITTLE FRoLIc.

Tom and Edwin were always play
ing jokes on people, and at school
nothing pleased them more than to
lead their friends into. some diem
ma, and then laugh at them.
They would hide pens and pencils,
put ink into mucilgge bottles, mucilage
into ink bottle, tie tin pals and shoY-
els to doors SO that the racket upon
opening the doors would cause a COM
motion in school.
Their pranks were innumerable and
an attempt to chronicle all their Jokes
would be. useless.
The teacher lived near the school
and often intercepted apparently well
laid plans of these miscellaneous boys,
but could not always be on the alert,
however.
Halloween was drawing near and
he knew the boys were planning mis-
chief OF some sort. The very air
seemed full OF mystery.
That night he was more careful than
usual to lock the doors of the house
chance to play any tricks on me this
year"
The boys wandered around awhile
and the, teacher stood at his gate as
they went by. 81
Some mischief is brewing. Won
dar who win be the victim. I rather
think it will be wise to watch them
So he went into the house and sat
by the window, In the dusk, but where
he had good view of the road in all
directions. -sfa
Soon the boys returned, stopped as
They spfed load of pumpkins in
a neighbours yard.
Lets put these pumpkins in Mr..
Browns, barn." said Tom, then
tlere'l1 be heaps Of trouble when tbs
found out. and they'll wonder how ii
all oaYan af05if -
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
A Good Hike,

One Saturday morning my friends
came over and said they were going
on a hike, and asked me If 1 could go.
gladly said "Yes!" got some lunch,
and started.
We hiked for about four or five miles
and then as our appetites began to
grow we thought it best to stop and
have dinner.
One of the boys had brought some
steak and pancake batter. We started
a fire and cooked our food. The pan
cakes were the best of all Cat least
that was what the boys said.
After dinner we played a game call
ed "Smugglers," and we had lot of
fun. When it was time to go home we
stopped playing, picked UP our things
and started for home in a big hurry,
because one of the boys had an en-
gagement and we did not want him to
be late. We got there in time, so ev-
erything came out all right in the end.
JOHN P. BIGELOW.
Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
A prean, Trip 70 the Moon.

had been sliding this afternoon and
was very tired. As I stepped inside
the house. I saw bright fire burning
cheerily in the fireplace. I retired
my bed was near the window / gazed
at the stars for some time and fell
asleep.
dreamed 1 was going on trim
to the moon ] was to go by automo-
- On my way. saw many things sole
long stretches of level land, brooks
curving in and out, ponds covered
with ice. trees of many different va
rieties, and tall mountains in a dis
went alone: and enjoyed the trim
greatly. Many rocky roads went
After riding on ana on, up hill and
down, i reached the moon palace. As
soon as / set eyes on it was
amazed At its beauty. The outside
was white and shining with cleanli-
ness. When the engine of the auto
had been covered mp. I walked up the
long flight OF stone steps and knock
ed at the door. q -
The. door was opened by a young
kinds locking person, about the size
Of dwarf These moon people were
very bright well dressed people and
had very nice manners. IL i.ev
After eating lunch of fancy cakes
cookies, Malaga grapes, and other
fruits, I was shown which way to &c
to get to O. bedroom. There were
many, many rooms that had not been
opened for years. AS / walked past
one room was seized by curiosity tc
see and knowgwhAt was in it, Some
people keep the doors Of their vacant
rooms locked, but these were not. AS
I opened the door crack, / saw a
swimming pool like what I had been
longing tor the summer before. Not
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
Stonington
Birds Enemies.

The English sparrow is one OF the
enemies feared most by other birds.
They are noisy, dirty and seldom ever
eat insects, but instead drive away
the birds.
Bird committees sometimes break
the nests and eggs of these sparFows
every ten days during breeding time.
Often they are trapped in the fall, and
also in the spring.
The crow is another enemy of the
birds. 1t is said that in late fall,
winter and early spring they do much
good, but in the late spring and sum-
mer so much harm, that they have to
be watched closely, and thinned out
occasionally on account of the crops
and insect eating birds.
Bluejays do a certain amount of
good, but if there are many they drive
away other birds. 1t is the same with
American Magpies and both kinds
have to be reduced in number.
Some kinds of hawks and owls do
much harm and certain kinds do good
Other enemies of the birds are carts,
snakes, red squirrels, rats, mice, dogs,
weasels, foxes, minks and skunks.
Every boy and girl should learn to
protect birds from their natural en-
emies and aid them in every way pos
sible to increase and make our world
more beautiful with their songs and
our gardens more 1uxuriant for their
industry
MARY A. BURRILL, Age ID.
Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
An Aocident,

Dear Uncle Jed: 1 have to ride to
school in a school wagon. One night
when we were going home We had an
accident. We were going down a hill
and one horse got his foot over the
pole. The man who drives the team
held the horses back and told us to
jump out.
We jumped out and went to house
at the top of the hill. After a while
the pole broke and the horse fell
down.
Then he unhitched them and the
horse got up. The pole was broken
and we thought we had better go home
and not wait for him to get another
one. II we had waited for him to fix
it we would have been an hour or an
hour and a half later than usual.
We were glad afterwards that we
went home when we did.
GLADYS YOUNG, Age IL.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
THE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS

Alice j. Kinney, of South Ceven-
bound.
2-Robert ). 6orsesen, of Whitman
tic-Anderson's Fairy Tales.
elizabeth Parker, of Mansfield
The Club at Crows. Corner,
Raymond w. Gray, Of Whitman
tie-The Pony Riders in the Grand
Canyon. %
5-Annie FarneH of Stonington-The
Girls of Central High at Lake Luna
6-Mason Parker, of Mansfield-The
Speedwell Boys in a. Submarine.
CLARA Parker, of Colchester-The
Girls Of Central High on the Stage.
S-Esbert w. Lowe, Jr., Howard, r.
STORY Of the American Flag.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
My Ninth Birthday.

Dear Uncle Jed: Ny ninth birthday
was very nice day. was not feeling
very well. Just then the door-bell
rung and the maid went.
1t was one of the girls had invited
to nay party. got up, dressed, and
went down stairs. received lots Of
very nice presents. One present was
a toy district school. big enough to get
into.
This was my first big birthday party.
1 also had travelling case with my
name on all the articles in the case.
Wasn't that a lovely birthday?
NANCY BFGEI.OW, Age 10.
Norwich. s-f
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
Ovens Errand.

"Owen, remember not to loiter SO
that the British will have a chance of
capturing you. for this is an important
mission I'm sending you on, and If
you're taken you know the conse-
Quences. Well, well, don't know what
your mother will say. hope she
won't be angry"
why, uncle! Mother angry? She'll
be proud to know that her son could
help to win our Independence. Truly,
uncle, I'll do my level best and come
back safe and sound with important
information"
"AIl right, my boyl Good bye, and
may God be with You till we meet
again"
owen babe his uncle farewell and
jumped upon his horse, waving his
'kerchief, while his uncle stood silent
ly watching his departure.
Owen rode on, never stopping for
about seven miles, when he suddenly
halted, took out of his coat pocket a
pair of nazgnifying glasses and put
them to his eyes. They rested upon .
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE
81 te':ses.@~- Z 59s@
zHss $50 AWAkES.

,FTueta led has r1t,ticet] +here has been
recent1v oI,ite a. cf5iscussion among
learned men now to smell cocoa. some
writer's spelled Il coco and other
coScoa and bara i, Ar,a,ica x,,a orc
taurbts to, smell II c-o-csso-a' heeanse II
is, in most, Of orr fict,onaries that
1pav $50
Now tho vaI-inforn,ed nrove : tho
. becar,,e sl,5, ed. IN that 1it+Ie y.,o.d in
Jnbnson,s dtcfforarv ova- century
and balf sgo ~, nrin+er Who
did not lno,v gtat e-o.c-a rnes,,+ az
how. To sneii IL - = -. go --i = -
:aros+ ~ The Miaa- Apv.,,s. prov,
eoco-n,,t zv,,a,,. t,,e,r, see Sc M 5,,,.,4
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
.PoIETRY.

~ When Snow Eies Deep.
wonder II you really know
The gratitude the birds will show
For crumbs and seeds and bits OF
meat,
Or anything that. they can eat
When winter winds blow loud and
=, shriu. 4.sxs
And snoWflames cover field and hill.
Select a tree and bore a hole
About the shape of cup, or bowl,
And I'LL 1t with some melted fat,
Or something, that they can get at,
And note how soon the birds will come
And how their little bills will drum.
The grubs and worms are all asleep
In winter when the snow lies deep;
And so the best that we can do
To aid the birds and see them through
This trying time Of snow and sleet
Is to provide them food to eat.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
NV First Visit to Pleasure Beach.

One day last summer my mother,
my sister and I took the trolley car
and met some friends with whom we
were going. We were going to stay in
our friends cottage. for they had in
vited US.
We got off the car at New London
and took an auto to the beach. We
reached there about 1 o'clock. We were
going to stay a week.
After we got there we had dinner
and after an hour we went in bathing.
Before we came out of the water we
went out rowing in the boat with the
children. When we came out we play
ed on big rock at the side of the cot
tage, and waited for our mothers to
get supper. After supper, as we chill
dren were tired after our days jour-
ney, we went to bed.
Next morning we arose early and
went in padding. Later in the day we
went in bathing, and did so every day.
One day. about supper time we went
to a part of the beach called South
Point, where we ate supper. After
that we gathered drift wood, made a
fire in the rock, and toasted marsh
mallows.
The last day of our stay, in the
morning we went fishing out on the
breakwater My sister caught thir-
teen fish right off.
LoRAIN C. MACPHERSON, Age 8.
NJoruyich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
She Wants to Become a Teacher.

Dear Uncle Sed: 1 am in the eighth
grade at school and enjoy it very much.
Last year 1 graduated from the eighth
grade, and as 1 thought 1 needed an
other year ! went this year. Next
after 1 finish High School I want to
go to Normal School as wish to be-
come a teacher.
Often I get my lessons done before
the rest of my grade as 1 did the work
last year, then my father allows me
to help the younger children. l like to
do this.
What are some OF the Wide-Awalze,s
plans for the future? What do you
wish to become when grown up?
What studies do you like best?
1 like to study about nature: Trees
flowers, butterflies, and birds Don't
you like to study about these things
ELIZABETH PARKER, Age Il.
Mansfield
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
When consoienee seokons.

"Oh, Martha" cried Lucy as she ran
towards her, all the girls are going
skating this evening. Won't you
Gomez"
"rd love to, Lucy, but 1 do not
know whether my mother will let me,
but / will try to come
Martha went home and found her
mother in the kitchen.
Mother. may I go :. skating this
evening with the girls?" she said.
Her mother replied in the negative.
for she did not believe the ice was
safe enough for skating.
But, mother, all the girls are going
and if it is safe enough for them it is
safe enough for me-"
Her mother etill shook her head.
Martha hung around the kitchen dis
conselately for about half an hour;
then she told her mother she was go
ing to sleep and went upstairs. She
entered her room and went straight to
the closet, put on her cloak, flung
her skates on, her shoulder. and sneak
ed out of the front door,.
As soon as she was out in the open
she started to run down. the lane to
Lucy's house. but the girls. who had
spied her, were. coming towards her.
They all started gaiiy running tow
ards the lake. but one among them
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
A Celebrated Slide.

"Just one more slide and then 1 must
go in" 1 exclaimed to my companion,
who answered.
"Al right! If you must go in, we
will have only one more slide. and let
US make this the best"
At last we were seated comfortably
on the sled. my companion on the front
and on the back, with my feet on
the steerer. ready to guide the sled
safely down the hill.
Half way down the hill the ride was
glorious; but then my feet slipped,
the rope became entangled and the
sled went zigzag, bouncing lightly over
the large bumps. and steering itself In
the most unruly manner, till finally
this celebrated slide ended in one grand
tumble into the soft white snow.
HELEN O'NEIL, Age II.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
A Dime Novel Story.

A boy returned from school one day
with a report that showed that his
scholarship had fallen below the US
ual average, and this conversation
took place:
Son" said the father, you've fall
en- behind this month haven't your"
Yes, sir"
How did it happen?''
Don't know, sir
The father knew, if the son didn't.
He had observed some dime novels
scattered about the house; but had
not thought it worth while to say any
thing until fitting opportunity
should offer itself.
A basket Of apple stood upon the
floor and he said, Empty out those
apples and take the basket and bring
it TO me half full of chips"
suspecting nothing the son obeyed
put those apples back into the bas-
ket."
When half the apples were re-
placed the boy said: Father, they
roll Off I can't put any more in
PUT them in. tell you"
But can't"
=. Put them in? No. of course, you
can't put them in. You said you did
not know why you fell behind at
mind is like that basket it will moi
hold more than so much, and there
you've been the past month filling il
up with cheap dirt-dime novels
The boy turned on his heels
whistled and said: "Whew! I see the
point"
Not dime novel has been seen in
the house from that day to this.
MIRIAM NJ GROVER. Age IL.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27

The prevailing race were Indians
until the pioneers appeared.
The Indians hunted buffalo and wild
beasts and went to war.
AS the pioneers pushed westward
the Indians looked for new hunting
grounds.
The pioneers cut the forests, built
homes, and cleared land for the farm.
They kept pushing west and on up
into the mountains until gold was dis
covered.
The discovery of gold brought an
almost steady string of settlers on
their way to get a fortune quick
The settlers were .raided or were
robbed by highway robbers of which
there were many. Sometimes, as the
stage coach came along, drawn by
six or eight horses, they would be
suddenly surprised and held up by a
band of ROBBERS of about twenty OF
thirty in number.
Some of the bandits would catch
and hold the horses while others
would kill the passengers and take the
spoils. Ii there were any.
Buffalo were numerous and formed
the principle food of the Indians and
settlers.
Buffalo meat was dried in many
cases to keep it by hanging it in the
sun and called jerked buffalo.
The Indians of the West differ from
those of the East because those in the
West travelled about and never titled
the soil, as did those on the Atlantic
slope.
The Western Indians would in q
half hour gather together their wives
and belongings to start on a hun
dred mile journel.
FOREST GRAY.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27

waiting to Gee IL the water was cold
or how deep 1t was, plunged in. As
started to swim across the pool it
seemed to become larger and larger
every moment. Finally stopped
swimming from exhaustion. 1t SEEM
e6 as If kept sinking, sinking, sink
ing, until I was so scared woke UP.
I lay motionless for a few minutes,
and when, really came to my senses
found myself clinging to the bed
post for dear life.
CLARA PARK, Age IL.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27

Dear Uncle Jed: am seven years
old and in the second grade. Last
term wont to school every day. There
are ten girls and fourteen boys
School begins at quarter Of nine and
lets out at three o'clock. We h4d a
fine time last week sliding down hill.
am sorry the snow Is gone and hope
we will have some more
My brother Harry and had sled
for Christmas and he likes to slide
down hill with me. He is only three
years old
DORIS L. GRANDT.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
KindIiness.

Blest be the tongue that speaks no i'll
Whose words are always true,
That keeps the law of kindness still
Whatever others do.
Blest be the hands that toll to aid
The great worlds Sceaseless need,
The, hands that never are afraid
4"To do a kindly deed.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27

Dear Uncle Jed: Wednesday morn
ing. January 19. 1916. we smelled
smoke in our school house, but we
could not see any fire. In the after
noon about three O'Clock, my play
mate Annie Borgeson saw the fire and
told our schoolmates and they told our
teacher, Miss O'Neil.
Soon we were dismissed and ran for
help. We had many helpers. but could
not Put the fire out. Soon the school
house was all afire. 1t lasted till eight
o'clock in the night.
One tree was spoiled. In the morn
ing the next day. a bout nine o'clock,
went to see 1t and only saw ashes.
ISRAEL REL. STEIN, Age IL.
WiIlimantic
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
His Christmas.

Dear Uncle Jed: School closed Fri
day noon, December "a. 1914. We went
met use at the station. We stayed for
Christmas. Christmas day We had
big Christmas dinner. I will tell you
what I received, an Erector set, two
books some. soldiers, a drawing set,
game of Elcaro, and box Of DOM
HENRY HOLDEN, Age 9.
South Windham.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27

Deer Uncle Jed: How would you
like to wear hat that has been
handed down through six generations
In each Of which II was a treasured
possession? The Italian peasants,
who ices fnerZ are proud to DO this
people whclive In italy own hat
When 70 usee . beautifully woven
Legaorn hat, which Is also very dirty,
on tho head Of little pheasant child.
you may be pretty sure that she is
celebrating her birthday by gearing
the family heirloom
These bats, which are sometimes
wf1led to favorfte relative, and which
in some instances go the round Of the
family, are considered almost price,
less.
II is a frequent sight along tns
dustry roads. outside the little towns,
to see untidy old women VINO ars
saunterfng along, twisting Irvine n
they go. all vanity, under the hopping
brfn Of an antiquated hat.
This is almost the only souvenir that
tourists money cannot buy.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
Thu Village Hill School House Fire

Thu Village Hill School House Fire.
Dear Uncle Jed: Last Wednesday
afternoon about half pest three, one of
the children happened to notice the
smoke coming from the schoolroom
wall near the chimney.
Some of the small children started
to run, but the teacher made them
go back to their seats. Then she told
us to stand, and we marched out.
As soon as we got out, some of the
children ran to get help. and the old
est children carried out all OF the
books.
BY that time most Of the men from
the village were fighting the fire, work.
ing hard in trying to put it out. but
it got the best of them and they had
to give it up. When we went home al
half past six there was nothing left
standing of our school house.
ROBERT J. BORGESON. Age 10.
Willimantic