davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27

In a pretty cottage on one of the shaded streets of Newbury, Allen Stevens GA years of age) lived with his mother, who, since her husbands death had defrayed all necessary ex- penses by taking lodgers and taking in sewing.
 Dire misfortune befe1l them, for one stormy day Mrs. Stevens exposed her self and soon became seriously i'll with pneumonia. She recovered slowly, for she worried because she could not see how they could procure the daily ne- cessities. She knew it would be sev- eral weeks before she could resume her accustomd duties, and that the money on hand had been used to pay the nurse for her services.
 Allen remained at home from school after the nurse went away and loving ly waited on his mother. The neigh bors were friendly, and kindly assist ed them by bringing in cooked food and caring for the sick woman until she was able to sit on the veranda.
 Allen spent some little time each day in reading aloud to her, who on this afternoon did not listen to the story, but was thinking of their daily needs. He missed the comments which she usually made, from time to time as he read, and he soon observed the tears that were slowly trickling down her cheeks.
 Allen laid aside the book, rose, and full of sympathy put his arms about her neck and asked if she was feeling III again.
 "No, my dear but I am much trou- bled about how we are to provide for ourselves, for it will be some time be- fore can resume my sewing and take lodgers."
 "Oh!" replied Allen, "is that all9 Why Rover and will look after you!"
 "Ah! I know" she replied, as she patted the dogs shaggy hair, 'fbut nei- ther of you have any capital for us to live on."
 "Just don't worry, mother; we will soon earn some, for now that you can be left alone we can begin to work" :"
 The next morning Allen hustled for and everything was in order, he started off in search of work with Rover trotting along by his side.
 No one in the stores needed an er- rand boy, so he met several trains and earned fifty cents for carrying two dress suit cases.
 He spent this money in purchasing food for his mother and the parcels In his hand fully repaid him for his tired feelings as he walked to his home.
 His confidence in his ability to earn enough in some way to support his mother until she was well and strong sustained his courage even when many efforts to procure work failed.
 Allen was strong willed for a small boy and persisted because he said he just must get work, for his mother depended on him, that she had never ailed to do for him and he would not hi1 to do for her. It was almost ob- ttinacy that enabled him to continue lis efforts to obtain work that would Iarn, sufficient money for the needs of lach day. Brand boys and baggage Iarriers were not in much demand so lllen decided to sell newspapers and hvesteds fifty cents flor. several. copies
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Yantic.
The Oldest Cemetery.

Dear Uncle Jed: The oldest cemetery of this town is the Gallup cemetery on Pine Hill road.
 The oldest stone in that cemetery is that of old William Gallup.
 On Pine Hill road the first church in town was built on the very day Sterling was incorporated.
 Rev. James Bulingama was one of the most noted gospel preachers in New England.
 The Sterling Hill church was built and next the Line church on Ekonk Hill.
 Sterling Academy was built west of the Green on Sterling Hill.
 Lafayette and company of Revolu- tfonary soldiers camped on the Green east Of the school house.
 MT. c. Ames of Providence did much to bring the railroad through Sterl- ing and gave a station, but when the first train came by he was dead in the house and this train carried his body to Providence for burial. LENA SAYLES, Age 13. Moosup
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27

Massachusetts and killed thirty per- sons.
 This was an awful massacre and Captain Mason and some men were sent to punish them. The Indians were found encamped on the Mystic river. Mason surrounded the camp with his men and set fire to the camp. Seven Pequots escaped. but they never tried warfare with the whites again,
 The Connecticut and New Haven colonies were afterward united for the Pequot war had taught them a lesson. The colonies were united in 1862. They received a liberal charter. The Polar Bear. of England made up his mind to send a governor over. The governor came to Hartford in 1887 and wanted the charter. but the charter was put into a tin box and then put into a hollow tree where it remained for three years The old tree is not there now, but a stone marks its place.
 MILDRED GRANDY, Age 10.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Jacks Heroism.

Jack lived on a large farm in the country. About a half a mile from the house there was large pond.
 One day Jack was fishing in the pond. It was getting late so he start ed to go home.
 Suddenly he heard a cry and looking back he saw his friend, Raymond struggling in the water.
 He did not hesitate a moment but tore off his jacket and shoes and jumped into the water. He swam to Raymond, who could not swim, grab bed him by the arm and swan to shore
 Raymond's father, who was a rich fisherman, gave him a gold medal and twenty-five dollars
 Jack and Raymond were very good friends after that
 ROBERT BORGESoN, Age 10.
 Willimantic
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
His Scotch Collie.

My dog came all the way from Boston, Mass, on the train with some of her sisters and brothers She is a graceful dog and very gentle to cats especially.
 She is a beautiful Scotch Collie, with long, shaggy hair and a very good watch dog. When the firebell rings she jumps and howls about the house like a wild wolf.
 When she Is out at night and the firebell rings she runs around the house few times and then she will run down to the corner and wait for the motorcycle to come after my fa- ther. When the recall rings she runs down to the corner and waits until he comes back
 JOSEPH BERNHARD, Age 12.
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Our Two Cats.

We have two cats. They are gray and white. We got them when they were about two weeks old and they are three years old now.
 One is called Buster" and one Peanut In the winter every time the door is opened Peanut slips in. He climbs up to the kitchen cabinet and helps himself. Sometimes we put him down in the cellar under the kitchen. He then crawls up between the walls and sleeps by the chimney where it is warm
 One evening we had an entertain ment at our schooIhouse. They both followed us up there, and had to car ry them home.
 NANCY TETREAUIT, Age 13.
 Versailles
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Our Cattle.

We have four cows whose names are Molly, May. Ruth and Fannie Molly and Fannie are red and white. They are all good and gentle cows. We have q heifer whose name is Belle she is black and white and is very pretty.
 We have a young bison that is red and white. He has large horns and will hook at us when we go by his head.
 We also have two heifer calves whose names are Beauty and Lucy. Lucy is red and white. She is very pretty. Her mothers name Is Ruth. have led her a great many times. she has much more life than Beauty and will try to get away from me when I lead her.
 Beauty Is very pretty: her mothers name is Molly. My sister Pearl want ed to lead her. Para thought she had better leave her in the barn, but she thought she could handle her. Ono or two of my schoolmates were there. and to have a little fun I jumped and scared her. She "snaked" Pearl through the mud and we laughed and laughed. She has not asked papa to let her lead Beauty since.
 One morning I went to give Beauty and Lucy their milk. While I was leading Lucy I sat the other pail down and Beauty bunted the pail and tipped it over, so she had to go with out her breakfast.
 I call Fannie my COW. She is very pretty and I think a great deal of her
 RUTH MORSE, Age IF.
 North Ashford.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Moosup.
The Connecticut Colony.

Dear Uncle Jed: The Connecticut Colony was settled in the years (16S3- S6) by Thomas Hooker and a body of people who believed as he did. The laws of Massachusetts Bay Colony were much too strict.
 As the land occupied by the new colony was claimed by the Dutch, the new settlers had to fortify their homes against them as we'll as the native Indians.
 The Pequot Indians did not like these .f'palefaces,'' as they called the new settlers. They held caouncil of war and decided to try to get the Narragansetts to join them.
 When Roger Williams heard of this he went at once to the wigrwam of the chief of the Narragansetts and persuaded him not to join the Pe- quots.
 In G637) the Pequot war began. The Peouots attacked small town in
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27

from Canada to feed the horses of General Burgoyne's army.
 One of the most southern localities in which the Canada thistle has per- sisted as a weed is Remington, Va, formerly Rappahannock Station eral Grants army before the cam paign of the wilderness.
 The Canada thistle and other weeds of similar character may be found around many of the abandoned lum- Der camps in Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin
 LILLIAN N. BREHAUT. East N-or-xufch N Y
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
How the FeIspar Mine is Operated.


 Tn my previous letter about a Felspar mine. I said I would write about the operation of the quarry.
 Holes are first drilled in the ledge from two to ten feet deep. Usually six ten foot holes are blasted at once It throws about fifty. tons or more
 When the steam drill is working good it drills about sixty feet u cay. It is very interesting to watch the men work, as every blast turns out differently.
 Dynamite is put into these holes in proportion to the quantity of rock to be thrown out this being packed down by soft dirt The dynamite is igHited by means of a fuse attached to an electric battery.
 This is called a blast. When the blast Is all ready the danger signal Is given for the men to seek safety and the blast Is set of. Many tons of rock are thrown out with one blast
 When the signal Is given that all danger of flying rocks Is past. the men return to the quarry where the pure spar is sent to one heap. and that which needs sorting is sent to anoth- CT where several men arc engaged re- moving Cby means of small steel hammers the quartz and mica com monly called ising glass) from the F'elspar.
 The mica IS caileo by-product ana has a great many uses.
 The Felspar freed from any foreign matter is ready to be shipped to the potters, soap-makers. etc. there to be ground for their purposes.
 There are many grades of Felspar: the product of the mine of which write being of such pureness is call ed virgin Felspar. In my other letter I told about the jewels found in Felspar mines. I thought this might be interesting to those who knew nothing about l Felspar.
 RAYMOND wELDEN. Age 12. IVFIffrnarfFr
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Farmind.

the summer time when the orchards are filled with apples of all kinds, and when the fields are decorated with waving corn and vegetables. That ia the time for fun.
 You can set of to do the chores with your pockets full of apples and pears, or even peaches.
 Weeding is the greatest sport of all especially when you get in the midst of a radish patch or peas and cab bages.
 As a whole farming Is the best sport ever came across. When you can eat a breakfast. dinner or supper, of fresh milk. new laid eggs and fresh vegetables there Is nothing like it.
 ALFRED BALDWIN, Age IS.
 Versailles
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
POETRY.
The Little Brown Bulbs.

The little brown bulbs went to sleep in the ground, In their little brown nighties so warm and so round, And Winter he clustered and roared overhead, But never a bulb turned over in bed. But when springtime came tip-toeing over the lee, With finger on lip, as still as could be, The little brown bulbs at her very first tread, Just split up their nighties and jump ed out of bed.
 -An0nvn1011s
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Little Boy.

Dear Uncle Jed: One warm day a little boy was lying under a maple tree reading a story and his mother said:
 Little boy, go down to the garden and get me a head of lettuce"
 The little boy said: NO, I can't go. I'm too hot"
 When his father heard this he lift ed the little boy up carefully by his waist and dipped him into tub of water and then said:
 T guess you are cool enough now so you can go down and get the let tuce."
 The little boy went drip. drip. drip ping, down to the garden and got the lettuce; and came back drip, drip dripping to change his clothes. GRACE BURRILL, Age II. Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Norwich.
Seals.

Seals, which are very valuable ani- mals for their fur. are found in the colder parts of the world, especially in Alaska.
 There is another kind of seal found in Canada, which is not noted for It's fur, but for its blubber, from which oil Is made. Blubber is the chief food of the Eskimo.
 The seal has beautiful eyes, being of a bluish hazel color.
 They have fiippers under the body. The back ones serve as feet, while the front ones are similar to a pair of tiny black hands
 Each seal has two coats of fur;
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
The Misehevious Doc.

My dog Sport is very fond of chas- ing hens, turkeys and following hawks, crows and other birds. One day spied him in the hen coop and gave him a good switching, but not long afterwards he killed a duck, ate her head off and began chasing a hen which he caught afterwards.
 This got my mother very angry and she decided to sell Sport, but I begged her not to sell him because he might be needed many times to drive away woodchucks from the gar den.
 That is the way with some dogs, if they aren't fed good and cared for
 WALTER SUPINA, Age 14.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Weed Seeds Carried in Hay.

The transportation of hay offers a most ready and dangerous means for the dissemination of weed seeds. It is dangerous because it is one of the most difficult artificial means to con trol. Hay cannot readily be inspected to detect the presence of weed seeds, and even if they are known to be pres ent their removal Is impracticable.
 An old tradition states that the Canada thistle was first introduced into eastern New York in hay brought
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
RuI.s for Young Writers.

1. Write plainly on one side of the paper only. and number the pages. 9. Use pen and ink, not pencil. 8. Short and pointed articles will be given preference. Do not use over 250 words.
 4. Original stories or letters only will be used.
 5. Write your name, age and ad- dress plainly at the bottom of the story.
 Address all communications to Uncle Jed. Bulletin Office.
 Whatever you are-Be thati
 Whatever you say-Be true!
 Straightforwardly act,
 Be honest--in fact,
 Be nobody else but you"
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27

the outer one being of a short bristiy kind. while the inner one is of a soft downy fur.
 The United States purchased Alaska in 1887 for s7,20O. GOO and since that time enough seals have been killed 10 amount to as much as we paid for it
 ELLEN CONNELLY. Age IT,
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Her SchooI.

Dear Uncle Jed: am going to tell you about my school It is a little white building with green blinds. My teachers name is Miss Lougn- lin. like her very much.
 There are eighteen children in my school.
 I am in the sixth grade and the studies that have are: Reading. arithmetic, language, history, geogra- phy. civics. physiology, drawing and music.
 CLARA HoLBRooK, Age 10. Hazardyille.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Stone House Grey.

Stone House Grey was large house situated on one of the most re- fined streets of London. The deriva- ton of its name was unknown. If ha6 been called Stone House Grey be- fore Mary's ancestors had lived there. The house was now occupied by Lady Chattfield. Mary's mother, Lord Chnttfield. Mary's grandfather. and Mary herself. The house contained fifteen large rooms. five of which were unoccupied.
 The house was made of stone and had very large piece of land around 1t which was used as a garden in which could be seen lots of flowers.
 IRSfA D. GRAFT, Age 13.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Picking Berries.

Berry-piclzing begins in July. If one is good picker, he can get three quarts of huckleberries in a short while. Two or three boys go to- gether. They start for the berry field about six o'clock. It is a two mile walk. and this is mostly uphill. This walk takes about three-quarters of an hour. We call large black or blue berries. ''blubs." We try to get these for a top on our pail. We can get home by half-past ten or eleven o'clock if we have good luck.
 When one goes after berries. much can be seen running about and once in a while deer will be seen. Snakes are seen very often. Birds can be heard singing and crickets ohdrpinE, and the wind can be heard whistljng through the trees.
 Bugs, sticks, and green berries, are very troublesome. Bugs creep around on your clothes. and sometimes in your pail. Sticks fall in while you are moving from one place to another, and green berries. while you are picking good ones. Taken altogether 1t is quite a job to get a good-sized pail full of good berries.
 Berries can be sold easily most any place at ten cents a quart. Some people preserve the berries, and have them for winter, while others make huckleberry pie.
 My mother has tried both ways, and both have come out good, especially the pie.
 By picking berries. anyone can earn | money.
 CARL ANDERSON. Age Ia.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
Lewis and Clark ExpeditIon.

Tn 1894 an army expedition of 30 men headed by Lewis and Clark were sent out by President Jefferson to ex- pIore the Louisiana purchase.
 In 1895 they sailed into the Mis- souri River and came across great herds of buffaloes. antelope, elk. and
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
North Ashford.
Whatever You Undertake, Always Do
 Your Best.

When I was a lad" said a wealthy and distinguished merchant, to one asking the secret of success in life, ''I went to pay visit to my grandfather a venerable man, whose velvet cap, blue coat, and high silver knee-buckles filled me with awe.
 On bidding him goodbye, he drew me gently to him. and placing his hand on my head, said:
 My little grandson, have one thing to say to you; will you,try and remember it?'
 looked at his face and nodded, for I was afraid to promise aloud.
 T want to give you a piece of ad- vice." he continued, which. if you success. It is this: Whatever you undertake, always do your best"
 This was my grandfather's only legacy to me, but 1t proved far better than silver and gold. I never forgot those words. and I tried to act or them.
 After reaching home, my uncle gave my cousin and myself some weeding to do in the garden: 1t was in the aft ernoon, and we had plans for some thing else. My cousin was so i'll. humroed that he performed his worl very carelesSly, and I began mine ir the same way. Suddenly the advic, of my grandfather was called back tC my mind, and I did my best.
 By keeping always that dear mot. to in my mind, have always gained the confidence of those with whom have dealings; and prosperity hal of success has been my grandfather. | legacy-"Always do your best"
 GEORGE BUNENSTOCK, Age IS. New Yory City
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
THE WIDE AWAKE CIRCLE
BOYS ARD GIRLS DEPARTMENT

ture is. She is orderly where man charges her with disorder and quite likely she is mercifnl though man says she is not.
 You notice the wind and the rain. High winds usually follow heavy rains, and drouth follows an excessively wet season. The winds cooperating with the sun hastens the soaked earth to become dry; and the lack Of rain following an excessive wet spell sweet ems the soil so that it is the better fit- ted to grow crops.
 noticed a pair of sparrows last week building a nest. The larger part of the coarse work was done by the male sparrow. He laid the foundation of the nest. Then he and the female more comfortable and then the female devoted herself to collecting feathers to line the nest so it should be com fortable for the young birds. Watch the growing plant and see how orderly it is in taking root and form. How the branches take position opposite one another or at spaces which allow of no pairing. How or derly they come to the towering time; and how regularly the bees and the butterflies come to be of help to the flowers.
 l Some plants are so dependent upon 1 insects they cannot grow without them The red clover you see in the fields cannot grow in countries where there are no bees.
 Have you noticed where a hill has been cut through the order in which it has been built up. It makes no diff ference whether an earthquake or water had a hand in depositing the material, the heaviest stones are al the bottom and they grade up to the finest, then the coarsest earth which grades up to the finest. Then the rind of loam the depth of which shows how long the decaying matter and the growing weeds and grasses have been under the action of the sur and rain and ice and SOW undergoing change from sand to loam.
 The Wide-Awakes who keep theil eyes open and write what they sec instead of what they read to the 1 "lQ6-AWahe SlrCl9 VIII De the ones to win books.
 Uncle Jed likes the boys and girl: who write about their excursions, pic. nics, travels, pets, games and enjoy. ments.
 He has nice letters of this kind an< there is room for more of them.
 LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
 Ivy Fisk of Norwich: I thank vol for the prize book you gave me. have read it and like it very much It is full of interesting adventures il the Maine woods.
 Frank H. kowats of Staffor, Springs: I thank you very much fo the prize book, The Boys of Bellwoot School. I read some of it and foun, it very interesting.
 lrma Graf of Norwich: thank yo' for the interesting prize book entitle Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch. I shal try to win another.
 Mary A. BurriiI of Stafford Springs thank you ever so much for the priz book you sent me. It is a very inter esting story.
 ; Marion Royce of Norwich: I than ? | you very much for the book entitle
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27

A firm in Karachi. India. has given q trial order for 1000 cases of Amer ican beer-a novelty in that part of the world
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27
THE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS.

THE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOOKS.
 1-Lucy Gray of Yantic: The Bobb- sey Twins at Snow Lodge.
 2-Mildred Grandy of Yantic: The Campfire Girls in the Outside World.
 3Nkatherine yiorman of Versailles: The Girls of Central High on Track and Field.
 +carI Anderson of Baltic: Robin son Crusoe. 5-Edith w. Hathaway of Bozrah- vile: The Automobile Girls Along the Hudson. 6-Ruth Morse of North Ashford The Bobbsey Twins at Meadow Brook 7-carrie A. Pratt of Pomfret Gen. ter: The Girls of Central High on the Stage.
 S-Grace BurrilI of Stafford Springs Little Stories for Little People.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-27

Outdoor Chums you sent me some weeks ago. I think it very interest ing.
 George Owen Geer of Norwich: Thank you very much for the prize book you gave me. think the stor- ies are fine.
 Ray S. HoIdridse of Ledyard: Have just finished my book and found 1t great am thanking you for the same.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-01-27

This city now boasts a home
where the dangerous, 80 called,
safety match is q thing of the
past. w. A. Price, city engineer,
has just installed q fine new cleo
trio range in his kitchen and to
say he is pleased with it but half
Expresses his opinion. The
taAge will do anything q modern
cost range will do without the
trouble Of lighting fires, watch
ing it to keep an even heat and
last but not least, there are no
ashes TO carry out. This home is
equipped with electric lights,
steam heat from the central
plant, IN electric range, toaster,
curling iron and if the man of the
house desires refreshing pipe
with his evening paper, he can
keep II going with an electric
cigar lighter. This surely is an
age Of progress, as fire has been
the means of cooking since man
li.st discovered it. but now we
may dr. our cooking with heat
coming to us through a small
copper wire from a power plant
situated many miles away, if
needs be. That little copper wire
is now made to perform hundreds
LOT duties about the home, store
and farm and will furnish us with
heat, light or power, all taken
from the same little copper wire.