davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
By ALICE C. NORTON.


 Can you imagine, boys and girls, how now, in this February month Of cold and snow--perhaps in youT very owi: housc--a live, ee,Lut:ful butterfly? Yes. you would be surprised enough, and probably the first thing you would say would be: 'ttiow I!d it get ilerc, and where did it come from2" Yo,- would feel so puzzled over II you would all most expect it to turn into Q fairy ard fly away, for surely real butterflies are not to be found in Chicago in the mid die of winter. But they arc-somc- liries-arG Ii your eyes are sharp enough, ard you know where to look, iL might be that some lucky day one of you would aG,ually find one this winter; for d:d. only last year, in this same 3uur:tA! Yes, I am going to tell yoa abort t.
 Tn the basement of our house is a small coal room One warm day near the end of February I went down to get some of our Michigan Apples-oh, how good they were!-and to sec how much coal was in tho oi1 I got the apples and then stood looking into the little room, when thought l saw something rnove on the window sill There was no wind, 50 knew if any thing really had moved it must be alive.
 For three years I had been hoping to find a five, winterins butterfly. knew of. one kind called the Mourning CIuak-isntt that 8 queer name?- which when cold weather came hid it. self away in tho oldest places-in hol- low logs, under stone piles, in old barns orr cellars, in hollow trees and many other places--and suddenly I re- rneinbered this and said to myself: "Oh, if Lit could only be a Mourning Cioals!'.s r crept toward the window and just then the something" began to atitter and sure enough, t really was a. Mourning Cloak. butterfly! Nc doubtIt had gone for warmth into the cellar i7 the had. had stayed there until the heat of the sun on this day lad a1racted it to the window, where it was feebly trying to get out. Its legs were wound around with cobwebs a long lstreaner of cobweb. was on one wing, and a short piece was on its
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
Ahrebau LirooIr and His Pio.

Some men have hearts big enough to be kind to their fellowmen, when they are in trouble, but not to dumb ani- mals Abraham Lincoln's heart was big Scough for both.
 One evening-when he had bought a new suit of clothes, he started to drive to the conrt house. a number of miles distant On the way he saw a pig that was making desperate eff forts to climb out of a deep mud hole.
 TIS creature would get part way up the slippery bank, and then slide back again over his head in the mud.
 Lincoln said to himself, 'I suppose that I ought to get out and help that pig: for if he's left there. he'll smoth- CT in the mud" Then he gave look at his glossy clothes. He felt that he really couldn't afford to spoil them for the sakI of any pig, so he drove on
 But the pig was in his mind, and he could think of nothing else. After he had gone about two miles, he said tc himself: I've, no right to leave that poor creature there to die, and what is more, I won't leave him."
 Turning his horse. f1e drove back to the spot. He got out and carried half a dozen fence-rails to the edge of the hole, and placed them so tha' he could get to it without falling 1T himself Then, kneeling down, hi forelegs and drew him up onto thu solid ground, where he was safe Tn pig grunted out his best thanks and Lincoln, plastered with mud, bu | with a light heart, drove to the cour | house.
 JOSEPHINE BOROvICKA, Age 13. | West Wilmington.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
Washington.
South Co

On Feb. P, 1732,- a boy by the name of George Washington was born. At the age of 19 George was appointed major of the Federate troops in the battles of the Seven Years War.
 In 1751 he made a sea voyage to the Barbadoes with his brother, Law renee, who died soon after leaving George heir of his estate at Mt. Yer non.
 At the age of 22 he commanded a l troop against the French who were at Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh) | and made them give up. In the war | he had four bullets through his coat, and two horses were shot under him. | Two thousand men were raised and he was selected to command them. In TT59 he married Mrs. Martha I Custis, a wealthy widow. He was | like all the Americans at that period a slave-holder. He possessed I2A | slaves whom he said in his will shall be emancipated at the death of his wife (which was three years after him).
 19, 1775, called the country to arms the Continental congress, was elected
 commander-in-ch chief. He won thI
 battle and in Dec. 2S. 17S3, the in.
 dependence of the 12 colonies wa.
 achieved.
 Washington was 6 feet inches tai
 with brown hair and blue eyes. His portraits are those by Stuart
 and the statue by Houdin, at Rich
 mond.
 ESTHER RoSENTHAI., Age IS. | Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
The Bear Hunt.

George Calvert was a young man of 16. He was the only son of a hunter, and his mother had died when he was three years old. This boy, when he was less than 16, had amused himself by setting beaver traps, but this day he was to go on his first hunt, with his father and another hunter
 He got up early and started, with his father. to the other mans house and when he came out they started to hunt. They hunted all morning with out success.
 About o'clock as George was walking alone along a path in the woods the boy heard a growl coming from clump of bushes a few yards away. As he shifted his position a big brown bear leaped out of the bushes.
 As he was taken by surprise he be- gan to run and in a few moments his father heard him crashing through the bushes. Just as he came in sight his father shot the bear. As the bear had stuck his claws into the boy ii was two weeks before George could go out, and when he did he was very cautious.
 JOSEPH R. COMPLIANCE, Age 12. Greeneville.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24

said his mother, who had heard him. DO you know what would happen if there was no rain2 The ground would dry up. The trees and other plants would wither away; there would be no pretty flowers. We should have no fruit, no corn, no wheat. All would die for want of the water that the rain brings us. The cows, the sheep, the lambs and the other ani- malls, would go with the rest, for there would be nothing for them to eat.
 ''When the cattle, the corn, and the wheat die, then we shall die, for our bread and meat will be gone.
 Always remember, Frank, who it is is best for us, and we should thank -Iim every day for all He does fol us"
 GERALDINE GAREAU, Age g.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
The Mourning Cloak

head. all from the net in the window where it was. I carried it in my hand upstairs and with a wooden toothpick i,errjN cook off all the cShs.5s, then held little butterfly near the fire. In a few :l:TCtea fe Was flying around the room good as new. After . while put some sugar and water in spoon and, taking him by the wings, tried to feed him as I had often fed my pet butterflies at the farm. But TO, he would not eat then. So, after eating an apple myself, left the room for while. When I came back there was MT. Mourning Cloak standing on the apple core, his long tongue thrust out, sucking the juice from the core. After this I fed him with pieces of apple and with sugar syrup, and you should heve seen him eating so dainti- ly.
 He stayed with us over a week, when one warm March day it was so still and sunny we opened the win dow and let him go. I knew he would find a place to stay safe until time to suck the spring sap from some bruised tree, when others of his kind would come, too.
 If you go to the parks or woods some warm day in March or April you may perhaps see one of these butter flies, for they are our earliest to ap- pear. Some have been Seen-like our " of the year, even in our cold northern states. Do you know what this butter fly looks like? No? It is large; dark purplish brown in color, having a broad buff margin to its wings, with a row of pale blue spots just inside the buff, on the upper side only. Beneath the wings are brownish, finely crossed with black, and the open wings meas ure three inches. It is a very pretty butterfly
 By the middle of April they have all como from their hiding places anG then they begin to choose their mates and early in May each mother Mourn. ing Cloak lays her tiny eggs in rows side by side around the end of a twig Sometimes there are a dozen, some. times a hundred eggs. Imagine hun. dred butterfly bo&aeE belonging to ont mother! And imagine q mother wht does not take care of even one baby Why? Well, I will have to tell yol that some other time!
 S~5
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
UNCLE JED's TALK TO WIDE AWAkES.

Some grown people act just like bad boys and girls and have such a habit of calling others names that they for get themselves and call their own children brats and other bad names
 One thing our Wide-A -Awakes should do is to avoid calling anyone names and not let the bad names they are called annoy them in the least.
 No one can make bad name hurt us but ourselves. If the name doesn't fit us, why should we mind the insane state of mind which voiced it? Their wicked thought which prompted it is as bad as our naughty act which pro voked it, if that Nas .he cause Of it. We should not provoke people to anger when it is so much easier and plea santer % please and make life more enjoyable.
 Everybody is worth pleasing, al-
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
The Father of His Country.

ne aEh6F or ms SOunLFys
 George Washington, first president of the United States, was born in Westmoreland County, Va, Feb. 22, 1732, and died at Mount Vernon, Dec 14, 1799
 When he was II years old his fa- ther died, leaving him in the care of faithful and devoted mother. While a t school George was painStaking and careful with his work and eXcelled in such athletic sports as running, leap ing and wrestling. He was so true to himself and to others that he often acted as a judge in deciding disputes between his young friends.
 In 1759, he married rich young widow, Mrs. Martha Curtis, whose property, added to his own large es- tates at Mount Vernon, made him a man of much wealth.
 His bravery, patriotism and military skill, as shown in the last French war, led to his being chosen by the Continental Congress as commander in-chief of the American troops during the revolution.
 By reason of his modesty he shrank from this service, for which he was admirably fitted. He refused to Te- lution.
 It may indeed be truly said that he proved himself indispensable to the | success of the Americans in that war He was a man of commanding pres | ence. and dignified manner. His sue | cess lay not in intellectual brilliancy but in a well-balanced judgment anC | in the belief that right made might and in a rare power of winning men! | confidence.
 FRANCES FIELDS, Age Is.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
Abraham Lincoln.

In the wilderness of Kentucky when that state was not yet settled there lived in poor cabin family named Lincoln with a father and mother and two little children, Abraham and Sa- rah. Their nearest neighbor lived a hundred miles away.
 The father, Thomas Lincoln, was a shiftless and lazy man. He could work for others, but for his family he could not. Indeed, had it not been for his mother Abe would have re- mained a poor ignorant boy. She taught him how to read and write and often when there was little to eat in the house she would take down the gun and kill a bear or a turkey.
 When about years of age Abe's father moved to Indiana Here they built a cabin even more wretched than their old home and here Abe's mother died.
 Thomas Lincoln soon married an other woman and her thrifty ways made life more agreeable to Abe and he was sent to a school.
 In 1SS6 he became a lawyer and had a successful career. He was elected to congress in 1S46 and ill 1860 he was elected president and was inaugurated just before the Civil war broke out
 In 1863 he issued the emancipation proclamation freeing the slaves.
 He was shot by an assassin at the close of the war and died of the were treated with great honor. They were taken to Springfield, his olt home, where they were entombed. His career was all the more re. markabJe for he rose from humble parentage to become one of the great. | est of American presidents. EDWARD DOLYLE, Age IS. NorUich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
A Picnic Party.

Last spring our club, the Blue Birds, decided to have a picnic. We each had certain part to do. toward the preparations, and my part was to de- eide the place, and the means of get ting there, so I decided to have 1t of Saturday at Pine Grove. I ordered special car to take us there. Our club eagerly looked forward to that glorious day.
 There were 24 of us in the party eight of us were dressed in red, eight in white, and eight in blue. My com panionS were in white with me.
 The games we played were very in- teresting. We played baseball, hide and seek. drop the handkerchief and | tag. Three of our girls were out ir l boat and one girl fell overheard and was rescued by another girl. When the hour for lunch arrived we spread the table cloth on a large rock, and then put OFT fuod on it. We had olives, sandwiches, cake, cookies fruit, lemonade. candy and ice cream About 5.30 we started for home. We
 reached home at 6.45. We all had . l nice time but I think some of us were tired that night.
 | Our club is considering alrea dy where to have our picnic this summer EVA PARTRIDGE, Age Il. l Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
POETRY.
The unselfsh Robin.

By A. JudSon Rlcn. The following Stanzas were inspired by O touching incident in Milton, Mass A pair of robins had built their nest one spring under a piazza and all day were kept busy getting worms for their young. X caged mocldng bird was suspended near, and several times the parent robins were seen to alight on the cake and drop worms into the prisoners mouth. It was a mansion old and fair Steward it looked, all Clad in vines; Smooth lawns and fragrant blooms de-spreading .elms and shady
 pines.
 The aged sire, with whitened locks, And full of sympathy for all Was bound with them in happy
 thrall.
 One day, at early morn, he heard Red Robin sing her matin song, And knew the errand of the bird, Who piped and twittered loud and
 long.
 She came again another day, With moss and clay and hair, to
 build
 Her nest, in which five eggs to lay, AS -N1luIS1 HOd, O1 1iStAIlSI "414OO. Five tender fledglings filled the nest; The mother brought sweet worms for
 foodj
 But soon she spied a stranger guest, Which seemed it's presence to in-
 trude.
 They watched each other-friendship
 grew,
 The mocking bird with notes so
 shrill,
 Would greet the robin as she flew The hungry mouths with food to
 fill One day the robin seemed in haste, And rapid came with worm to feed The open manifestations taste, Then flew to meet her prisoner s
 need;
 Returned and lighted on the cage, Looked down and met an open bill, Looked up. as wise as any sage, That It with sweet bits she could
 fill
 Often repeated was the act; Robin was proud of her new trust, Was glad to" loan to him who lacked, And share in joy her scanty crust. Good lesson hast thou taught us bird For me. and mine" we must not For others We should speak the word To others of our bounty give.
 Our Dumb Animals.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
Seeds.

When a seed has been sown re- ceives enough heat, light and moisture, it swells little, and the germ, walk ing from its sleep, sends out a little shoot, which, growing downward, forms the root; another little shoot forces it's way upward, to unfold into the stem and leaves. No matter in root always turns down and the stem always goes up.
 The dark, damp soil is the working place of the root, while the stem car ries the leaves into the light and air, whence they have their part to do in the growth of the plant.
 At first, the young plant must be nourished by the seed, and on it the germ plant feeds and grows. The seeds over the earth, and thus pre- venting the destruction of various kinds of plants, is very interesting. Many seeds are carried by the wind to places far distant from those in which they were produced.
 Some seeds are conveyed by streams into which they fall and take root when left by the current on proper soil. Some seeds have a shelly Or an oily covering that resists the action of the waters of the sea. and it is by this means that the coral islands of | the Pacific are covered with an abun- dant growth of vegetation. Squirrels, field niece and many | other animals bury seeds in the ground, probably for the purpose oi afterward feeding on them, and thus l lead to the growth of plants and trees | in places where seed would not, oth- edwise, reach.
 MAY NJ. DANAHY. | Norr,;oI
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

Leslie HoIdridge of Ledyard: I re- ceived my prize book today and thank you for it. have wanted a book like that for a long while. It is very interesting.
 John A. Burns of Fftchville: I thank you very much for the prize book and I was very glad to get it.
 Hattie Perkins of Colchester: I re- ceived the lovely prize book awarded me entitled Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck. Thank you ever so much for it. 1 have read it and think it nice.
 Catherine H. Perry of Scotland: l received the prize book you sent me. Thank you very much for it. I hope I will win some more books,
 Lillian M. Brehaut of East Norwich, N. Y.: That certainly was a fine book I won last week. I could not leave it once. I had gotten interested in the details. Ruth Fielding must be a brave and good girl, for she certainly seemed to be. Many thanks for the book. I find it the best and most in- teresting I have. Ruth Fielding series is fine.
 Egbert w. Lowe, Jry of Howard, R, l.: I wish to thank you for the nice prize book you sent me. I am greatly pleased with it. I find it very inter esting and feel that it will help me in my school work.
 Esther RosenthaI of Norwich: ] thank you for the prize book you sent me. I have read it half through and like it very much.
 Mary Bromley of Stonington: I re- ceived the prize book you sent me en- titled Campfire Girls at Long Lake Have read it and found it very in teresting. Thank you. Elizabeth M. O'Rourke, of Provi- dence, R. l.: Thank you for the fol- lowing prize books which I have re- ceived and found to be very inter- esting: The Girls of the Forest, an6 Witch Minnie's Mystery.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
THE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS

1-Irene Mccarthy of Norwich. Three Little Women's Success.
 2-CIarence A. Hathaway of Bozrah- vile, The Pony Riders of the Rockies.
 3-Josephine Bovoricka of West Wilmington, The Girls of Central High at Basketball.
 4-Eva Partridge of Norwich, The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore.
 5-May M. Danahy of Norwich, The Pony Riders in Montana. 6-John Spencer of Willimantic, The Pony Riders in the Grand Canyon.
 Sarah Hyman of Norwich, The Bobbsey Twins at School. S-Grace Goddard of Willimantic, The Bobbsey Twins in the Country. Winners of books living in the city may call at The Bulletin business of fee for them at any hour after 10 a. m. on Thursday.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
George Washington.

George Washington was born in Vir- ginia on February P, 1732. When he was eleven years old his father died. leaving his brothers and sisters for his kind mother to look after.
 He went to school and was very fond of copying good sayings. He al- so abided by them.
 He was fond of sports and could run, jump, wrestle. and throw a stone higher than any other boy in school.
 His mother was the owner of a high tempered colt. One morning when he was out in the pasture with his broth CTS, he said: If you will help me put a bridle on him, I will ride him."
 The boys managed to corner the colt and with much struggling put the bridle on. With a leap George land ed on the back of the colt.
 The colt began to kick and plunge forward, in an effort to throw his ride< off After a while the horse leapeG into the air and bursting a blood vessel. fell to the ground with his conqueror on his back.
 When George went into the house his mother asked how the colt was George replied that the colt was dead
 Inquiring for an explanation. George calmly told her the story. Although his mother was angry with him, nev- ertheleSs she said. 'I am grieved al the loss of my faVorite colt, but I am glad you told the truth.
 When GeoEge went to school he anC his companions liked to play sol dier and always had George as theil leader.
 Later when the Revolutionary wal broke out he was made Commander in-Chief of the army, and some of his early companions were fighting unde; his leadership.
 During the severe winter Washing ton was stationed at Valley Forge, his men were without clothes, bedding and ammunition. The United <tateS sent over to France for help and the French wer tngry at the British and agreed to send over help and sup plies.
 Among the Frenchmen who came over was young man named Lafayette. A friendship sprang up be- tween Lafayette and Washington. After the war Washington was made l first president of the United States. MICHAEL J. BURNS, Age If. l E-ifPbVi11a
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
The Fox's Tail.

Do any O fthe Wide-Awakes know why the end of the fox's tail is white :? If you do not I'll tell you about it.
 A good many years ago there lived a number of shephz@S3. Among the shepherds was a very old lady. Every night she watched very carefully over her sheep.
 But one day when the old woman went to feed her sheep. one was misc ing For quite a while the old lazy sat crying over her loss. A bear came along and the bear promised the old woman that he would watch Very carefully over them and see that no harm should come to them.
 The next morning when the old woman went to look for the bear she found only the dead sheep that he had killed and eaten.
 The next that came along was a fox and he promised the same as the bear had.
 The next morning the old woman was up earlier than usual. and taking a bowl of milk out to the fox for his morning breakfast. when she found him devouring one of the sheep.
 Just as the fox started to run. the old woman threw the bowl of milk at him. It hit the end of the fox's tail and from that day the tip of fox's tails has been white.
 THELMA BOYNTON. Age 14.
 North Franklin
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
auisa sar vaans Writers.

i Write plainly on one siEe of the papar only, ana Malioaher saS pages. ! Zee pen and fnE, not pencil. l. Short and pointed articles will De given prefsreaoe. Do not use oyer .t64 words.
 { Original stories or letters only will Dc used,
 .. Wrika your nan1s, age and ad- drass plStnly at the bottom of the aeopy.
 AeAress all communications to Unole isE, Bulletin Office.
 Whatever yeu are-Be that:
 Whatever ~Su say--Be true! Straightforwardly act, Ds honest-in fact,
 Be aobody else put yU1.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
The Statue of Nathan Hale.

In all parts of New York city there are many statues. A great number of them were erected by those who loved these men.
 In City Hall park we may see a statue of Nathan Hale. He is dressed as a Dutch school teacher. He stands erect as if to say: 'I am ready to die ' His feet and arms are bound with rope He must have looked this way before his execution. At the base of the statue are his last words: T only re- gret that I have but one life to lose for my country"
 The Sons of the Revolution pre- sented this statue to the city of New York because they wished us to re- member that Nathan Hale was execut. ed in this city.
 BERTHA BIENENSTOCK, Age 10. New York City
Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-24
Work of the Natives of Alaska.

In the southern part of Alaska the Indians live in little villages. During the summer the people work in oil factories or salmon canneries. They do some logging and make rafts which sell for $500 or $500 each. The money Is divided among the men who have helped in the work
 When tine men receive the money they have a fine time. During tho winter the men do some hunting Thi: doesn't bring in much money.
 In the Cook Inlet region the natives help in mining. They are very indus. trious. Some are fishers, others art woodcutters and still others are hunt. CTS. Here the bear and moose ar, abundant
 The Eskimos are great traders. The, raise reindeer.
 MILDRED E. BRANDY, Age 10.