davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
LETTERS WRITTEN TO UNCLE
JED.
Lost in the Woods.

Dear Uncle Jed:-One bright day in
April my mother. sister, brother and
1 went out to pick Mayflowers. We
thought we would look in a new place.
We started through the pines but af-
ter we had gone quite a way we de-
cided to go back because we didn't
find any Mayfiowers. We wandered
around for sometime. not knowing
which way to go and at last we dis
covered that we were lost.
The woods were everywhere all
around US, but after We had travelled
around some more we came at last to
a big ledge where we children slid
down. The sun went down and II was
becoming dark when we heard a saw
mill engine. We went in the direc-
ton of the noise and soon came out
in the road about two miles and a
half from home.
We walked home as quickly as we
could and it was pitch dark. OF course
we had to explain why we were alb
sent so long, and as we were all very
tired from our long tramp through the
woods we went to bed early.
GRACE A. BURRILL, Age IL.
Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
a Walk,

I went for q walk and as 1 went
along l saw some geese. l was afraid
of them. My father went up to them
and held out his hand and they began
to pick it.
I went a little further and saw about
Is little pigs. My brother got on the
wall and shouted and you ought to
have seen them run down the hill and
across the lots. 1t was fun to see them
go.
I kept walking and kept finding lots
of the funny things to look at-lots
of birds and trees.
Then we saw a boy feeding a big
flock Of hens. How they will run when
they are going to get something to
eat
I got home about dark. I like to
take long walks. 1t does me good
I haven't got my brother now.
lost him last June. He was a good
violin player 1 am taking lessons
now. I like it much better than the
piano.
1 haven't any school this week. I
am going to help my mother.
I haven't missed school this term.
HELEN DAWLEY, Age II.
P1ai0fe16
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

get something to eat. The things were
all frozen, so we took them to Maria's
cousins and she roasted the meat for
us and we ate.
Then we went to look at the winter
palace on the Neva, at Petrograd. The
palace was made Of all sorts of stones
and marble. In front of it were lions
on pedestals, in all colors, and in front
of the statues lay the White sea. We
saw many paintings and statues in
the palace.
At o'clock we went home.
Next day we saw the Russian Co.'S
sacks being trained for war. The
Cossacks are soldiers.
A week after Maria took me to Mos
COW. She showed me wonderful things
/ do not see in Wellington. When we
were going home we saw the Redeemer
gate of the Kremlin at Moscow
Days went on in this way until ]
had to go home. 1 started March Z
and got home March IA.
MARIE HAK, Age IL.
West Wilmington.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
MY. FRIEND, THE TOAD
By FREDERICK M. WHITE.

will acknowledge at the outset that
I met my friend, the toad, by accident.
That is, he came into my rock garden
oh a prospecting tour, no doubt, and
while resting on log in a shady nook,
introduced himself by peculiar
sound It was just at dusk, so seat
Ing myself on a rustic bridge I made
Up my mind I would study his move
nenfs.
One couldn't brag Of his beauty, I'M
less the squareness of his figure should
be considered. He was a big fellow
and when he numbered off the log he
landed on his head. Surely, thought 1,
he hasn't much in the way of brains.
Picking himself together, he cautiously
moved toward the carnation bed.
For period of five minutes or more
he remained motionless. Suddenly, out
shot his tongue with lightning like ra-
pidtty and a juicy cutworm bid good
bye to friends and earthly scenes.
Time boy" I said, under my breath.
had tried in every manner possible
u rid this bed Of cutworms. Almost
Rs fast as I transplanted the carna-
tons from the propagating boxes they
moved them down. 1t was now my
pass into the world beyond, before
darkness covered the toad's move
nnents.
Next evening I looked long and hard
before I discovered him squatting un-
der the cucumber leaves. Two years
m succession the bugs had ruined my
vines. My love for this edible was
tie only thing that encouraged me to
try 1t again this year. 1t was, there
fore; some satisfection.w when noticed
the old fellow picking. off the pests.
Coming over. a meadow bog a few
evenings later, L found another GOOD
sized toad which conveyed to my
garden. - =
In order, to; encourage, the toads tic
remain, butte cement Basin two feet
wide by three feet in length. At the
sides I set on, a.. few shade givips
plants. In the center 20, few rocks were
arranged. NJ Thie, when filled with wa.
ter, maIde3Fa very attractive spot fol
Bafore ndany davssGg there J were !, a.
Ieast q dozen A. In: the bog. Where
Meys came FROM no one could say.
: MY ar0entswfacfi had kbeen overr1Y
with rinaacts tfor3 two 4ssts, ! rcwT he,
RAsz aeksE- = - = -
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

came healthy. 1t was a joy to see
leaves for once free of the usual insect
perforations. Slug and bug exterrni-
majors were no longer brought into
service. The toads attended to that
part of the work.
One evening a. neighbor accidentally
killed one with his lawn mower
Here's our chance 1 suggested, ito
prove how great a service the toad
renders"
1t had a ravenous appetite; that
much knew, but of its real worth ]
was in doubt.
We soon had the contents of the
stomach spread out on a board. Such
an array of pests is seldom seen.
There were cutworms, caterpillars
thousand legged worms, beetles, cock
reaches, sow-bugs, cabbage worms
moths and cucumber beetles. A snail
and a slug an inch and a half long. AL
| told we counted forty-six noxious in
| sects, besides flies and few small
| bugs.
That settled the question as #
whether the toad was friend to man.
| kind. Henceforth, he deserved our pro.
| lection and would receive it.
| Talking with another man a shor-
time later, he stated that he had
| counted under the microscope, in hi:
LABORATORY, twelve cutworms, six ca
| terpillars, four sow-bugs, nine rcabbag,
worms, with a few mosquitoes, in thu
| stomach Of a toad.
| My garden is free of pests. M
plants healthy. I have only the toat
to thank for it.
This article has an object; namely
to urge all to protect the toad. En-
courage it to live in your garden b,
building a small bog pond, near which
arrange a few slabs and rocks as
shady rendezvous on hot summer days
i With this encouragement one can 500
bid goodbye to insect troubles.
Toads have a strong homing instinct
A gardener tells Of having had two Il
his garden for more than eight years
A heavy tax has always been levie
by pests. The toad Is now proving it
self an efficient check to insect multi
plication and ravage. BY his goo.
works may he be better knowni
We have our game laws and GU
bird laws. Hasten the day when W
shall have such a protection for GU
friend-the toad!
II Our Dumb Animals.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE
AWAkES.
Ducks in China,

Most farms boast of a few ducks.
but did you know that there are more
ducks in China than in all the rest of
the world put together? Even the
cities have their ducks. In the coun-
try districts they literally swarm. One
sees them everywhere: The Chinese
children are given their care largely,
and traveller sees them caring for
ducks on every road, in the field and
in the yards.
Even the boats on which, in China,
families live, have their ducks quar-
ters. 1t is a great national industry
Then there are great duck-hatching
establishments, some of which are said
to produce fifty thousand young ducks
a year.
Ducks are a staple food and are
sailed and smoked as we salt and
smoke beef and ham.
MICHAEL ]. BURNS.
+0h
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
BY mouth POWER" IN CHINA.
Lectures and Demonstrations for the
Women In the Far East.

One OF the most effective ways of
getting a few fundamental gospel
facts into the minds of a Chinese
crowd is by means of lectures and
speeches at the big village fairs or at
the large open air theatres in the
cities and towns. The village church.
es value the chances and invite Chin
csc Christians who have what they
call mouth power TO come and
speak on such occasions. It takes
lung-power as well as eloquence to
make oneself heard over the noise of a
big fair ground and so sometimes the
evangelists use pictures or charts or
dramatic presentation Of some parts
OF their messages.
The American boards workers at
Tungchow. a large city not far from
Picking, have taken special advantage
of the regular temple fairs to get ac-
quainted with the crowds and two or
three OF the American ladies have been
specially successful in getting hold OF
the Chinese women. One course OF
four lectures was given to audiences
of from 500 to 500. which included
many of the high class women OF
Tungchow. The first lecture, given by
Miss Bertha Reed, a Cornell gradu-
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

less active all winter; his track has
dotted the surface of every new fallen
snow throughout the season; but the
chipmunk retired from view early in
December and has passed the rigorous
months in his nest, beside his hoard of
nuts, some feet under ground, and
hence, when he energies in March,
and Is seen upon his little journeys
along the fences, or perched upon a
log or rock, near his hole, it is another
sign Of spring.
HARRY LEVI, Age IL.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
The SINGING Parrot.

INV SHfShhS
A great many years ago, in Swansea,
Mass, there lived a deacon with his
wife and son Stanton.
AS Stanton grew older went went to
sea and was away very long When he
returned he brought the parrot as a
gift to his parents.
Winter evenings many people came
to the deacon's house.
Every evening the deacon took Polly
out of the room. This evening he didn't
take her out.
AS soon as someone stopped singing
Polly soon recognized the deacon'S
wife's voice. and as soon as she ended
singing Polly commenced to sing, and
this is what she sang:
"Hey, Betty Martin,
Tip toe, tip toe,
Hey, Betty Martin,
Tip toe, fine,
Couldn't get a husband
To please her, to please her,
Couldn't get a husband
To please her mind"
When Polly finished the deacon was
amazed to see her. He soon opened
the cage and Polly flew out.
Stanton went back to sea and didn't
return for about eight years.
One sunny morning Polly flew out
of the room into the street. She saw
a young man walking towards the cot
tage. She soon recognized him and
began calling him by his name.
The old folks were very glad that
Stanton returned.
They said they would keep Polly
until she died.
One morning Polly said: polly
wants to go home" and soon after she
| said that she died.
ANNA RESNTCK, Age 10.
| BOzrahVille.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
" AL En- : Z I !
Stafford Springs
RUSSIANS HELP
IN RELIEF MEASURES
American Committee at Tifis Reports
Work Under Way.

DR.. James l. Barton, Foreign Sec
retary OF the American Board of Com
missioners for Foreign Missions and
one of the Chairmen of the American
Committee for Armenian and Syrian
Relief, has just received a letter from
George T. Gracey, an American Board
missionary, who was sent to Tifiis,
Russia, to aid in distributing relief 10
the Armenian refugees in the Trans
caucasus.
Mr.. Graccy reached TiAis. where DR..
T. W. Macallum, another OF the boards
representatives, had preceded him. in
mid-January. After a few days spent
in arranging ways and means for dis
tributing goods. and planning for the
shipment to them OF supplies and fur
ther goods under cntTact, the two men
-Messrs Gracey and MacUllum-
went 10 Erivan, Etchmiadzin and the
Nova-Bayazide region which they
were caring for when the letter was
written.
Mr.. Gracey says: One is struck
with the kindness an philanthropy of
the Russian government. Here IN all
these regions are numerous refugees
woh have come from an enemy coun-
Try, yet the government day by day
allows them a certain sum per head
and contributes large amounts of
money for the Armenian orphans. Il
has also, I understand, begun to re-
construct the towns which had been
destroyed. but which the Russians
row occupy. 1t is one OF the bright
things o nthis trip to see the high
ideals that prompt the Russian gov
eminent in the efforts to succor the
I eedy and at the same time do what Is
Just and right for its own people.
The Armenians OF this region, too
had responded nobly to the claims laid
upon them by their suffering people
What they have accomplished is really
remarkable and the large amount OF
money they have given has exceeded
| all expectation: while the business
like way in which they have distri-
buted their funds is very commend
able"
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
MY Playhouse.

I have a playhouse IN the garage
where my daddy keeps his automobile.
I have n large cupboard where
keep my cookies, cakes and pies.
keep these in the upper part of the
cupboard. In the lower part I have
my dishes.
My furniture is an old sofa, two
chairs, one table and n little icebox.
When my brother Anton comes home
he is my grocer. He sells me sugar,
made of ground brick, yeast, raisins
and all that is needed in the cooking
part.
LILLIAN SOUKYS, Age 6.
West wilmington
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
Skatinu.

Dear Uncle jed: One cold Sunday
morning four boys invited me to go
for n walk. We decided to go to the
pond, take our skates and dinner. The
air was keen and cold and when we
reached the edge of the ice we strap
ped on our skates, raced TO the other
side where we sat down to rest.
Suddenly we heard n loud scream
and started to our feet in alarm. but
il was only one Of the boys who tried
to brighten us. All were quite tired
and cold and prepared to build n fire
to get our feet warm.
While resting we ate our dinner
after which we had another race and
came back home again.
As the sun went down we were ready
to go home. having had n fine time.
FRANK H KOwATS, Age II.
Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
My Visit to Russia.

L started out January first, and got
there January fifteenth. You see ii
took me two weeks to cross the ocean.
Then in a day reached my friends
house
The first thing my friends did was
to treat me to some tea. Maria was
my friends name, and Godfrey was
her brother. Maria, Godfrey and sat
Down to the table and drank our tea.
We did not have anything only tea
and sugar which we put in it.
We talked and laughed all night,
after we went to bed
The next day Maria took me out to
st. Petersburg, which is now. called
Rstrograd. I'VE went to- the market. to
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
The Birds That Live Near Our School

saw two bluebirds flying over my
head. They built their nest high upon
the tree so the, naughty boys or cats
could not get their young ones. They
make their nest of sticks and dry
grass in a hole in the tree. They lay
four or five pale blue eggs.
When the little ones are out the old
birds are very busy for they have to
feed them.
They sing CHEEKY songs and we love
to see them fly around the schoolhouse.
They are nearly as large as the robin.
II there were no birds the worms
would eat the trees and plants all up
and we should take care OF them
They go away in autumn.
MARY NJ. DZUIBAN, Age 10.
Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

president, vice president. secretary.
treasurer and physical director. The
boys bring some things to eat once a
month.
After the meeting is over we 90 slid
ing.
When we go to the Academy we
hope to belong to the athletic clubs
there.
We always have fine times and look
forward all week to Tuesday afternoon
when our club meets.
GEORGE OWEN GEER, Age Q.
Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
Why the Tent is Full.

Father says he used to go
To the circus years ago;
Doesn't care about it now,
Only goes to save a row.
Nothing there he wants to see;
Goes because it pleases me.
Mother, she dislikes it. too; /;
Only goes because I do.
Uncle Josh will go with us
(Seems to me it's curious):
Says he's going for my sake;
Sure he cannot keep awake.
Aunt Jane says she'll come along,
Though perhaps 1t may be wrong;
But she thinks I ought to see
Things in natural history.
Uncle James will go alone;
Doesn't like to chaperon,
Says he simply means to go
Cause he wants to see the show.
Circus Folk Song
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
A Trip to Hartford.

Dear Uncle Jed: l was invited to go
to Hartford with some friends OF mine.
When we got there my friends had 10
do some shopping and then we went
and had lunch and did more shopping:
and then we went in and had some ice
cream, and afterwards went to the
moving pictures.
We came home in the auto very fast.
We had a long ride and were very cold.
When I came home my friends daugh-
ter was at the house and she stayed
over night, and the next day she went
home.
l enjoyed my ride very much and
think the rest did also.
MYRTLE E. CONVERSE, Age II.
West Wellington.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
A Good School Game.

This game IS known as Liners, and
it is played by from twelve to twenty,
so it is a good school game. At least
two groups of four each lock arms.
There must also be a runner" and two
"chasers' chosen. The two chasers
must try to catch the runner, but the
groups with the locked arms must do
their best to protect the latter by get
ting between.
When the runner is caught she takes
her place at the left side of one group
while the chaser who caught her takes
q similar place on the other This
crowds off the two at the right, who
may rest for while, if there are
enough playing so that a new runner
and chaser can be chosen from those
remaining. II not, they themselves
must be at"
NANCY TETREAULT, Age IS.
Versailles
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
The Poinsattia.

Dear Uncle Jed: The poinsettia Is a
Christmas flower. II teaches US hope,
because IL struggles in the snow. but
always has hope.
It teaches US faith. for has II not
faith in the sun coming TO melt the
snow and strengthen II.
Its fragrance makes us try to be
swcetnT every day.
Its one inspiring color gives one
inspiration TO be good.
When the other flowers have long
been dead il comes TO cheer Christ
mas day. So does II not teach us
faith and goodness2
GEORGE ]. BIENENSTOCK, Age IS.
New York
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

Dear Uncle jed: 7 am going to tell
you about what bad luck mamma had
with Matching chicks this year.
On the ninth Of March she set one
hundred and sixty eggs in the incu-
batOr. dare say that during the
first six days il was just exactly as Il
should be. but on the seventh day il
got too hot and the heat was the
only thing that spoiled all the eggs. but
this was only my fathers fault because
he turned the wick more upward This
was che first time that mamma had so
many eggs spoiled in three years. but
she will not give up with poultry rails
ing.
WALTER SUPINA, Age II.
Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
POETRY.
The Arhutus.

Hidden unseen in a coy dell
Where a brooklet winds her way.
Where elves their midnight stories tell
The arbutus creeps astray.
What is finer than Natures gifts?
Her birds, her flowers, her stream
The arbutus, fairer than them all,
Quiet and happy, grows unseen.
Soft and sweet are her petals of pink
Her leaves are fair and green;
No one otherwise could think
That she is the fairest flower seen.
Elizabeth A. DeBoer.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
Rules for Young Writers.

/. Write plainly on one side of the
paper only, and number the pages.
2. Use pen and ink, not pencil.
8. Short and pointed articles will
be given preference. Do not use over
2S0 words.
4. Original stories or letters only
will be used,
s. Write your name, age and ad-
dress plainly at the bottom of the
story.
Address all communications to Uncle
Jed, Bulletin ONCE.
Whatever you are-Be that!
Whatever you say-Be true!
Straightforwardly act,
Be honest--in fact,
Be nobody else but you"
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
Plainfeld.
Helping at Home.

1 know q, girl who is just 10 years
old. Her father is dead and her mother
works all day, so she is left alone
with her brother and sister to take
care of.
She doesn't only play with them but
watches over them like a little mother
and when they are hungry she fixes
something to eat for them.
She takes them into the little gar
den in back of the house and together
they watch the busy little black ants
going to ana from their nests
She has watched them so often that
she knows their ways and how hard
they work.
She shows the children the little
bees as they dive into the flowers for
sweet juices with which to make
honey.
In this way Mary keeps the little ones
from worrying and when her mother
comes home from her days work she
can rest, for the children are all tired
out and ready for bed.
BLANCHE LUCIER, Age 10.
TaftVille
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
The Chipmunk.

The first chipmunk in March is as
sure a token of the spring as the-fflst
bluebird, or the first robin. and is quite
as welcome. Some genial influence
has found him out there in his burrow.
deep under the ground, and walked
him up. and enticed him forth into the
light of day.
The red squirrel has been more or
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
Hs. Had a Fine Time sIIdIno,

Dear Uncle Jed: I live on a farm.
1 have two pet pigeons. I like them
very much.
1 have had a fine time sliding down
hill with a friend Of mine.
1 go to school, but l am having a
vacation now.
We will have a long vacation next
summer. i never wrote to a paper
before.
ARTHUR GALLUP, Age Q.
= Aoo9up ~ ~
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
Nv TMo Dummies.

ground was covered with snow and /
was walking along the road I saw two
rabbits coming toward me and stopped
to throw an apple to them They ate
il and raced on. In a few minutes
they returned. I fed them almost ev-
cry day, and they became so tame that
they would eat from my hand.
MICHAEL III. KOWATS, Age 10.
Stafford SPRINGS
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
The Bows Athletic Club.

Dear Uncle Jed: The boys in our
neighborhood have gotten up a club
and named 1t The Boys Athletic Club.
We meet every Tuesday after school.
When the business meeting is over we
have jumping, wrestling and gymnas-
tics.
This summer we are going to have
baseball team. There are seven
members in the club. The officers are
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

SILK jerseys corded to simulate the
corduroys OF winter are used for street
suits. This one is a lustrous pistache
green cut with a full skirt. patch
pockets. open neck and stringy belt
beautifully tasseled. These garments
are exceedingly comfortable The
suit takes a black turban that fiau1ts
three Jade ornaments on the right
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
In Doubt.

Nicholas OF Russia seems Just a bit
undecided whether he will eat his
Christmas dinner in Simla or Cal
cutta.-WaShlngton Post.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
Something to Worry carranza.

Carranza might be willing TO send
troops against Villa IL he had any
assurance that the troops would not
change their politics and decide not
TO come Observation-Disclosures Star.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06
THE WIDE AWAKE CIRCLE
BOYS ARD GIRLS DEPARTMENT

tie round men were made from this
soft and workable stone, and the game
may have been played with all the zest
it is played today by the boys and
girls of ancient Greece.
When the little Dutch boys and girls
drive hoop they "hoople," and by this
name this spring game is known in
All of these games were designed
for the exercise given as means of
getting physical development from
play instead Of such stunts as are
known to the gymnasium.
And these games are likely to be
spring games a thousand years hence.
THE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS.
Ruth e. Brown of Willimantic,
Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island.
MARY A. BurriII OF Stafford
Springs, A Regular Tomboy.
3-MichaeI n. kowatts of Stafford
Springs, Grammar School Boys in
Summer Athletics.
4-Georse Owen Geer of Norwich,
After School.
Gillian SouEys of West willing
ton, Little Stories for Little Folks.
6-BIanche Lucier of Taftville, The
| Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge.
Infancy TetrauIt of Versailles, Ruth
| Fielding at Snow Camp.
S-Harry Levi of BozrahviIle, Hick-
Ory Ridge Bow Scouts.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

very best results It Is
soothing, cooling, and
healing TO the most deli
cate skin. ] have used
many other powders but
have never found any
thing to heal skin sore
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

81 used Sykes Comfort Powder on
this baby for rash and chafnp with the
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-06

Ftchville