davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
Hawaiian Children,

To the boy or girl who has always lived on the island of Hawaii, the world must seem rather small. The island is only about as large as Con- necticut, while the nearest mainland is thousands of miles away. Yet the people do not care how large or how small their island is. They love it dearly for it is their home and Q beautiful one it is
 In many ways the Hawiian children are the happiest in the world. This is not because more is done to make them enjoy themselves. It is because they make the best of everything and are contented with what they haze. Hawaiian children are pretty in spite of their dark skin. They have beautiful brown eyes, curly hair and merry mouths. Their teeth are white and even.
 The country is so warm that the children wear little clothing or none at all. This is a great convenience, for swimming or playing in the water as it saves the trouble Of dressing and undressing again half dozen times day.
 Many beautiful flowers are found on the island of Hawaii, and the people are very fond of them. Men wear them in their hats. Women and chiI- dren wear them in their hair, chang eng them as soon as they become the least bit withered. They fasten long tLIoLlllS Ol DlOSSOIllS OT IGTIlS dDOuI JQelc waists or hang them from one shOuI- der. These chains look very pretty over the bright coIored dresses, mak- ing the people look as if they were always dressed for a picnic, or holiday feast. Every house is surrounded by @ garden full of flowers of many kinds.
 The houses are covered with trail ing vines, so. that together with gar dens they are like fairy bowers.
 What do the little Hawaiians like to eat? They eat sweet potatoes and
 le Poi 5li-iHe Po Iru1cs out ter S @ ma(tse % @lSn plant which is a kind of lily. At din ner time a large dish of Poi is placed on the floor and all the members of the family sit about it, dipping their fingers into the dish
 The Hawaiians are fond of fish also. They eat these raw, taking bites from the head and end fiT7.
 KATHERINE GoRIAN, Age Il.
 Versailles.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
A Visit to tha Cani+nI-

Dear Uncle Jed:-When I went to Hartford l went to the capitol first. l saw. many very interesting things. One of which was part of a tree taken from the battlefield of Chickamauga. Imbedded in the tree were several large cannon balls, winch showed the severity of the battle which was foUght at Chickamauga, Sept. 1920, 1863, in which half of the soldiers were killed or wounded
 I was then taken to the senate chamber which is a very large and beautiful room. Here the governor and the thirty-dve senators of the state of Connecticut meet every two Eears. In this room is a large chair called the Charter Oak chair, so- called because it was made of the wood taken from the Charter oak tree. I had the honor of sitting in this chair
 I was then taken to the dome of the building. To reach there I had to walk up one hundred ancs seventy two steps. I was then two hundred and twenty feet high. From this height the view of the city ana surrounding country was beautiful It was worth the climb.
 HELEN c. CURRAN. Age 12.
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
The oriose Thief,

A few years ago. a girl whose name was Helen Mills, lived in Chicago
 On her seventh birthday her father gave her a gold bracelet which pleas ed her very much, she wore it all day and when she went to bed. she put it on the Window-silI She was so happy she dreamed about it.
 Early in the morning an OrioIe. which was flying about the window, saw the bracelet and it was so bright and pretty that it flew in, took the bracelet and carried it off.
 A statue of Abraham Lincoln stood in the park near HeIen's home, and the oriole hung the bracelet on one of the buttons of the statue.
 After awhile Helen awoke. She looked on the window,siII to see if her bracelet was there and was sur prised to see that it was gone. She began to Crys and went and told her mother about it. Her mother looked all over the house but could not find it.
 One day Helen and her father went for ride. They drove to the park to see the statue of Lincoln. and Helen suddenly discovered that her bracelet was on one of the buttons
 Her father went to to tell a police man, and he called a man and told him to get a ladder, and climb up and get the bracelet.
 LEONA M, SULLIVAN, Age H.
 Taftyil1p
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
Sammy,s Perseverance.

Sammy Small was a little boy who lived ill the city. There was a mail box on lamp post near his house. One day Sammy's mother wrote a let ter. and when sammy saw her putting a stamp on 1t he said: T will mail your letter for you, mamma"
 T do not believe that you can reach the box" she replied, you must not wait till you are older"
 "Oh, I am tall enough now" said Sammy, T can reach the box"
 His mamma said that he might try and she handed him the letter and patted him on the back.
 sammy ran off, and his playmate, Willie Morse, who lived next door, went with him.
 When they reached the lamp post Sammy said he could not reach tho mail box.
 Then Willie tried to put the letter in but he could not reach it.
 sammy was troubled, and said, "Oh, on."
 let us go and get a chair" said Willie
 But Sammy was proud and did not want to go back home until he had done his errand.
 In a moment he thought of plan. He told Willie to get down on his hands and knees near the lamp post.
 Willie did so, and Sammy stepped up on his back and put the letter into the box. Then he jumped down and the boys ran home to tell Mrs. Small about it.
 She said, q think you are smart little boys. and I thank you for doing my errand.
 ANNIE T. DAILED, Age 18.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
MARGARET'S CURIOSITY

The postman had just come and gone. Mrs. Lawrence was resting comfortably in a chair, sorting the mail; there was more than usual, as it was her daughter Mary's birthday.
 It is too bad, thought Mrs. Law renee, that Mary is not at home to enjoy her letters and present. Just at this moment Margaret came running down the stairs in a great state of ex- citement, calling out loudly:
 "Oh, mamma! What did the mail man bring2"
 Tt is all for your sister" said her mother, very quietly.
 But what is in that parcel?" coax ed Margaret, as her mother carefully laid it on a table.
 T cannot tell you now" answered her mother; "but when your sister re- turns this afternoon you will find out"
 "Oh. why can't we open it now?' Margaret asked, fretfuIly pulling at her mothers skirt.
 'BeRnse." answered her mother it is on.y right that Mary should open it herse3.~ The mother spoke very forci- ter'O greatest fault was being over curious. The parcel having beea safe ly oapan9tod cn a sl8clf in tke Qdose1, SS1a left thR coom, warning her daughter no. to SDaCh it..
 "Mawbe it ig from papa" thought AFnsasrs& T wish had loO:sed at the wTitinR
 FTR~ Iurirsity knew DO oopndH, and without eVan stopping to think she rushed to the cloHst. No sooner had S5SS 0paAed the door and taken the 6un&a n Der AaunE than whae hsR motSer lad said came to heg m4n6i She began tA think vSCy rapinY. To b. &m%M 1t was her fathers writing. Wou5S they really care iS l were to oron It? How can I wait until thls aFernmma to sec what papa hos sent to lakry? Al, tue things that her sister lnd desired flashed thron$h her mind. She rem au,nered how both of them had always wished for a lock box As she wac obout to lay it on the shelf some thlae ssattics. Quickly she gave it an- ouaer shakc, and was positive that there rr Et bs sonnsthinE in the boa.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10

one time the headquarters of the ruth less buccaneers who terrorized the Spanish Main for so many years is perpetuated in the names given to two towers still standing on the heights back of the seaport of Charlotte Amalie. On one hill is Bluebeard's Castle while on an adjacent height rises 'BlSclIbeard's Castle History does not substantiate the romantic tradition, and it is extremely doubtful if the buccaneers were ever in possession here.
 When the Danes arrived they were under very strict orders as to religious ObserVances and with respect to a pre- paredpess' program against rival col onists. The first order issued by the governor was; Every person who speaks Danish is bound to attend ser vice every Sunday in Christians fort when the drum beats, and on failure of dCing so is to pay fine of 25 pounds of tobacco. Persons of all other nations are bound to attend ser vice every Sunday afternoon at the same place, under the same penalty
 AS to armament the order was: For the defense and good of the cOun- try every householder shall keep in his house for himself and every man in his service, a, sword with belt, and a gun with sufficient powder and ball; and also each householder shall have two pounds of powder, or more if he pleases. Every person neglecting this duty shall pay 100 pounds of tobacco
 "The order for the citizen army ran thus: Every Saturday afternoon when the drum beats. all persons who can use a gun shall meet at the parade ground fully armed. Any person aqb sent, in favorable weather shall forfeit every time g pounds of tobacco. which is to be paid at the end of the year for the benefit of those who meet reg ularly'
 .sThe shortage of labor during the first year or two of Danish occupation was overcome by the importation Of many slaves from the Gold Coast of Africs The laws governing these human chatte1s were extremely severe.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
Manners at the Table

There is no place where good or bad manners are so quickly observed as at the table. The way people be- have there shows plainly and at once whether or not they are used to the company of ladies and gentlemen.
 Clean faces and hands, clean finger nails, well brushed hair and clothing and a tasteful appearance generally should at the table distinguish young people who are well brought up.
 Never, let the weather be what it may, should Jack come to the table in his shirt sleeves.
 Girls should be as careful as their brothers about the matter of toilet for their meals. An untidy girl jars upon our nerves like Q false note in music.
 Do not be in a hurry to be helped. Wait patiently until your turn comes and then eat slowly. Never eat with your knife. Tie proper use of Q knife is to cut food; it should not be put into tho mouth at all. The fork is the proper thing to eat with. Take soup from the side of your spoon.
 Do not blow food to cool it. Make as little noise En chewing and swallow ing as possible.
 If you desire to leave the table be- fore a meal is concluded look at your mother or hostess and, having secured her attention, SEy pleasantly: 'fE2XcuSo me, please" When you receive her permission you may withdraw.
 ESTHER SHERSHEVSKY, Age 12.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10

sit down and talk. have such a lot to tell you. Did you know Mrs. Small was cleaning house? Well, she is, and her house is 8 sight. Come to speak of it, your house is not so neat as usual. If I were you, now, I should wash those curtains this minute, and that tablecloth, too.
 There! Your cake is burning. Do you smell it? Now what will you do? l know no one would eat burned cake. detest it. I never would let anything burn in my oven."
 Mrs. Peasley hurried out, hoping to escape for the moment the sharpness of her neighbors tongue But Mrs. Grey followed her out with the follow ing remark:
 You'd better wash those dishes now, Lizzie. The batter will dry no them if you don't. If I do say it, al- ways mako it a point to wash my dishes right after using them; but then I don't suppose you have time, you have so much work left over that should have been done yesterday.
 Here, give me the feather duster and I'll dust these chairs, for they certainly look as though they needed it. And while I'm about it I'll get these cobwebs out of the corners.
 There, that's done, and I guess I must be going. Good bye, Lizzie I've had real nice time, and any time you want me to help you again just let me know"
 So saying, Mrs. Grey departed as uncerem oniously as she had come, leaving Mrs. PeasIey to stare after her with an expression of doleful humOr on her face.
 ALMIRA KRAMER, Age IA.
 Colchester
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
The Guinea Hens.

On my uncle's farS- in South Kill ingly, there are some guinea hens. One day my uncle told me to throw my hat among them, and see what they would do. I did this, wondering what would happen.
 At first they scattered in all direc- tions, but soon one of the guinea hens began to chatter away, and cautiously approached the hat. The others fol- lowed. q suppose he was the presi- dent, and was calling his cabinet to meeting for the purpose of discussing this strange thing which had come so suddenly amongst themD
 They gathered around the hat all scolding away at it. Finding that it neither moved. or made a reply, they started to walk around it. going some distance, and then turning around and walking back again, watching the hat closely.
 At last I put an end to this strange meeting by picking mp the hat.
 MILDRED L. ANDERSON, Age 13.
 DanielSOn.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10

Drum dances and feasts were for biGden and all slaves were required to be at home by sunset on- Sundays. A slave transgressing such regulations was for the first offense whipped, for the second his ears were cut off, and for a third he was hanged and his head was placed on a stake.
 Tn the neigEboring island of St. John the slave laws were even more drastic. Here are some Of the penalties which brought about a bloody instruction in 1733, costing the lives of many white planters, their wives and children: The leader of runaway slaves shall be pinched three times with red-hot iron, and then hung.
 Each other runaway slave shall lose one leg, or if his owner pardonS him, shall lose one ear and receive 150 stripes.
 "A slave who runs away for eight days shall have 150 stripes, 12 weeks shall lose one leg, and six months shall forfeit his life, unless the owner par don him with the loss of one leg.
 G A slave who lifts his hand to strike a white person or threaten him with violence shall be ptnched and hung, should the white person demand it, if not to lose his right hand
 'In the terrible insurrection one of the victims was a Judge Soctrnan who was murdered and decapitated in the presence of his beautiful 12-year-old daughter and while a council was be- ing held to determine what should be done with her the child overwhelmed with grief, entreated them to take her life also, to which plea they gleefully acceded, laying her mangled body across that of her father
 "The instruction was put down only after aid from the French in Mar tiniOue had been invoked. Three hundred slaves were surrounded and when they realized that escape was impossible they held a great feast of death. Tradition says that they plunged over Q cliff, but the historian Host says that they shot one another and that when they were found at Brim's Bay they were lying in a circle"
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
A MoonIiaht Auto Ride.

Just about 7.3O D. n., six girls were sitting comfortably in a Pierce Arrow touring car ready for an evening drive, which long had been promised to us and for which we were anxious Iy waiting
 At last we were off, and, my, how nice the cool evening breeZes famed our hot cheeks, and such beautiful scenery along the way.
 Our notice was first given to a pret- ty little farmhouse by the roadside, around the dainty windows entwined a large rOse-rambler trellis, and in pOppies, asters, dahlias and sweet peas. Such a cozy looking home, it surely must be the admiration of many passers-by.
 Next we came to a poor little house. quite different in appearance from the one we had admired only about an hour ago. It's windows were half broken, the panes were falling out, and no pretty flowers adorned the half-painted door; it's front lawn, if we may say it had one, was all torn and rocky. Such Q desOlate spot, per haps, it was wanting of master
 Well as we rode along we passed by many interesting spots, until we ar rived in Springfield, Mass.
 Here we had a college ice, and af- ter being a little refreshed from our long journey started once more for girls fell asleep, and on arriving home were put snugly in bed, where we soon joined them in their trip to Sunderland.
 ANGIE WHITE, Age 16.
 Stafford Springs
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE
 AWEKES.
Lincoln's Boyhood.

Abraham Lincoln's early life was like that of nearly all who become great men-One of poverty and priVa- ton.
 His father was said to have been one of the poorest men in Harden county, Kentucky, his home (where Abraham Lincoln was bOrn), a wretch ed cabin, his food meagre, coarse ard mean, and as to education he had none; he could neither read nor write. His mother was q superior woman-gentle, loving and kind
 In after life he used to say: All that l am or hope to be, l owe to my angel mother"
 When seven years of age he learned to read and write, and occasionally, when the preacher came around he would give Abraham an idea of pulp lie speaking.
 When he was eight years old his parents moved to Indiana and made 9 new home; but the trials priVations and hardships of a frontier life were greater than his mother could long endure. and she died when he was ten years of age
 His desire to learn completely ab- sOrbed him. Every book that could be found in the settlement was read over and over again. The Bible. Pill Erim's Progress and the lives of Washington, Franklin and Clay, with the leading events of their career were carefully stored in his memory, and all through his remarkable life when ever appropriate occasion arose. He was remarkably strOn" and muscular, and when but a lad he could do a mans work on a farm. He was a pleasant and obliging boy, always sac rifcing his own comfort to aid others.
 MILDRED DUNN, Age 12.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
POETRY.
The Land of Story Books

At evening when the lamp is lit Around the fire my parents sit; They sit at home and talk and sing And do not play at anything, Now, with my little gun I crawl All in the dark along the wall, And follow round the forest track Away behind the sofa back. There, in the night, where none can
 spy,
 All in my hunters camp I lie, And play at books that I have read Till l. Is time to go to bed. These are the hills, these are the
 woods,
 These are my starry solitudes: And there the river, by whose brink The roaring lions come to drink. l see the others far away As if in freight camp they lay, And l. like an Indian scout. Around their party prOwled about. So. when my nurse comes in for me, Home l return across the sea, And go to bed with backward looks At my dear land of story books.
 Robert Louis Stevenson.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
A EIvinu Top

If this top is well made it will fly fifteen or twenty feet in the air.
 Plane @ stick five inches by seven eights Of an inch byFseven -siXteenths of an inch, from straight grained white pine or bass wood. Bore 3 three -siXteenths inch hole straight through the center. If the hole is not true the top will take a wobbly mo ton that will prevent it from flying well.
 On each long edge of the stick draw a line onc-sixteent1 of an inch from the margin. and extending from 9 point near the center to the outer end, but reverse the position Of the lines on opposite halves Of the same edge, on opposite sides of the stick. In other wqe'ds, when you hold the stick in front of you. and pointing from you one line should extend along the upper Ieft-hand edge of the farther half, and another along the lower right-hand edge of that half; the third vii! be along the lower left
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE
 AWAKES

wonder how many of the Wide Awakes ever saw a fairy ring grow ng beneath a spruce or a pine tree on l damp or lowering day.
 IL was not there the night before but they were there in a ring as per feet as a gardener could make it. and it is not strange people who did not know the how Of it thought the work was done under the supervision of a human rather than the Divine mind.
 We should not have known how this happened so even unto this day if Linneas had not inspired in men the thought that the tiniest plant is wor- thy the attention of the greatest phil osopher. And will you believe it, some men spend a whole lifetime just paw inr the way so those who come after them may discover the truth.
 This circle of toadstools. or mush- rooms, which becafne in the myster- ious past "A Fairy Ring" have the power to cast their spores from them on all sides where they take root. These little plants are gross feeders and exhaust the soil so that from year to year they move out a little farther and farther and the fairy ringI" from year to year grows larger and larger.
 They belong to a class of plants which love dampness and shade-they find no pleasure in bright sunshine.
 They disappear as suddenly as they come, and are food for various kinds of flies and beetles of the fesh-eating species, because these thick, leathery plants resemble meat in taste and sustaining qualities.
 The Fairy Ring" is a pretty in- vention of the imagination. and about
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10
An Ambitious Guest.

Mrs. Peasley was busuiug around in the kitchen cooking and getting ready for company The house was all clut- tered up, for she had not yet done the morning work, and it was with sigh that she recognized a person coming up the walk as Mrs. Grey, the neigh borhood gossip. That meant a running series of comments on ths diRord cred state of the house.
 Into the house without knocking came Mrs. Grey. ''Well. my dear. I've come for a nino call this morning, as I cant come this afternoon, and I know you won't mind seeing me, as we are nesghbors.
 'Lates sno aah8. into tha :aaxlnr and
Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-10

hand edge of the nearer half; the fourth along the upper right-hand edge of that half. Wh1ttie to the lines in such way as to produce some thing that resembles a propeller blade. Make the curve as near the hole as possible, and make the vanes between one eighth and one sixteenth of an inch thick. The handle is a perfectly round stick. five and one-half inches long, fitted tightly in the hole. To fly the top. revolve the handle rapidly between the two hands, and then let go suddenly.
 JESSIE L. BREHAUT
 Red Bank, N. J.