davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22

1884 he was promoted captain and in 1897 became commodore. He was nov 60 years old
 Tn 1898. when war was declarad be- tween the united States and Spa4n. he was ordered to take command of tho AS6atfc 8quadr0r.
 IThe war with Spain began April 21. A69S. Bewey recetved or1rs to pro- ceed to the Philippines at ence. When DeWey sailed for the Asiatic MAtnrs he sfgnal1ed to his meet to keep cool and obey orders.
 A little after o'clock on the morn ing of May i, 1898, the battle ef Manila bay began. The Americans did not lose ship and they had only seven men wounded
 Dewey received a vote of thanks from congress and the rank of rear admiral.
 Eommodore George Dewey died re- gently at the age of 80 and was buried with military shnnors.
 MoIIiE SPECIAL. Age 1a.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
LETTERS WRITTEN BY WIDE.
 AWAKES.

he 6iroS AooFeSS 10 Ine Le9istatorS
 Dear Uncle Jed: have read differ I am very much interested in them. will send you the birds address to the General Court of Connecticut:
 We know how good you are, and know how nice you look. We sing to you in spring and when the cold winter comes we go down south of the United States.
 Most of the birds like us have lived here for long time. and some of us have come from across the ocean.
 Our fathers and mothers have pleas ed your fathers and mothers a good many times, even before you were born.
 But we have some sad news to tell you. Some of the cruel boys and Eirls, kill our brothers and chill tfren Some of your beautiful girls kill us. because we are beautiful. to get our feathers to trim their hats with.
 Boys kill us. take our nests and eggs and little ones and if this goes on any longer there will not be any more
 We know you have made laws. and we do humbly pray you to make another one that they shall not kill us or do us any harm. or wear our feathers on their hats.
 If you will make this law we will thank you hundred times and we will teach your children to be clean and to have peace with one another.
 We will build our homes omong the and eat the worms that destroy them.
 Signers: Hermit Thrush, Oriole, vesper Sparrow. Wren, Robin Red breast, Pewee. Blue Heron, Swallow,
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
A str.wberry shorrstcake. :.

It was the first of.Ju1y. John and Ralph had gone ou. to the farm to spend the Fourth. Aunt Ella said it Mns just the time for wild strawber- ries. Away out in a swampy corner she knew where there was a large strawberry patch
 She told the boys if they would pick tiae berries she would make them a strawberry siaortcake.
 Early the next morning the two boys started with their pails for the field.
 It was a wonderful field to the two city boys. John was the first to reach Aunt Elias strawberry patch. Such luscious berries. the sweetest the boys had eyer tasted. The boys soon filled their pails with the berries.
 At dinner time it made ones mouth water to see that huge cake served with the country cream = Ralph said: Aunt Ella, I know the fairies helped you make it.''
 Aunt Ella said two Brownies helped her Can you guess who they were
 GRACE BURRlLL, Age F.
 Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
caterpiIIars at Fishera IsIand.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am pupil of Fishers Island public school, and in the Fifth grade.
 It is a pleasure to tell you about the destroying of the tent caterpillars.
 In the fall of the year. when it ig just beginning to get cool. the moth of the tent caterpillar lays her eggs around the little branches of nearly all the kinds of trees. but mostly apple and cherry trees. She sticks the eggs together with a water proof substance, and the next spring they hatch out every egg a caterpillar. So there are hundreds of caterpiIlars in one nest
 Miss Wilt, our teacher. showed us nest and told us about the damage the caterpiIlars do. It is not a hard thing to do; and it not only helps to save the trees from this pest. but increases the fruit crops. for many trees are very badly injured by these tent cat erpillars.
 The other day hung out some leaf lard for the birds. I hope to have the chicl1adees, nuthatches, and wood peckers come and have some food to eat.
 l have already put two/bird houses out in the trees. I feed them bread crumbs and water.
 LORETTA o'CONNOR.
 Fishers Island, ". Y.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22

out the coffee it was cold. 1t was be- coffee pot. Coffee gets cold more quickly when the coffee pot is not bright.
 This set Franklin to thinking. He not. There was nobody who knew. But he thought he would ask the sun shine.
 Maybe the sunshine would tell him whether a black thinR would heat more quickly than a white one.
 But how could he ask the sunshine
 There was snow on the ground Franklin spread n white cloth on the snow an dthen he spread black one near the white one. When he came back to look at them he found that the snow melted sooner under the black cloth than under the white one.
 ELLEN BORRICKA, Age 10.
 West Willangton..
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
A Haunted heuse.

One Thursday morning my friends came over and asked me if I would like to visit an old residence which they resided in five years ago
 A little girl was in the party going to visit the house and she said,
 Marie. if I were you I wouldn't go. If you haven't been there before you'n be scared out of your wits.'
 Well" I said. T might as well take a chance"
 So. the next morning we started about half past ten ampton, but we reached there finally and were quite fatigued with our long tourney. There was a fine fire burn ing on the hearth. after a. light sup per we retired.
 About midnight heard the queer est sound: it seemed to come from the parlor. Then another bang and tinkle as if someone was banging on the piano. : I got up softly and crept on my hands and knees out of the room, and down the stairs to the T,arlor door was too frightened to venture to open the door and look in. But, in- stead, peeked through the keyho1e and what a funny sight met my eyes. The cat was running over the piano keys. I laughed in spite of myself. and then went to my. room.
 The noise, apparently. didn't wake the others, but I told them about it. After that, no one was ever frightened.
 EDNA GEER.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Learning Agriculture.

r. Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would tell you what I have learned in agri- culture.
 In selecting specimens for a fair the vegetables should be suitable for use. uniform in size. shape and color, and they should be clean.
 After digging potatoes we should let them lie in the sun for one hour be- fore using them. After doing that we should let them stand In water for an hour in order to loosen up the dirt. We can take a sponge to wash the potatoes, for if we take brush it will injure the potato.
 The potato is one of the most valu- able cash crops of the American farm CT. Most every farmer raises the potato. The average yield of potatoes per acre now is no more than what 1t was about fifty years ago.
 We should drop the potatoes in the row from ten to twelve inches apart.
 There should be a long space be- tween each piece of potato.
 The best time to study birds is in winter when there are hut few. and in the early spring. when they are coming back.
 The two bird standards are the Eng fish sparrow and robin.
 Many of the birds catch food as they fly.
 Some birds in winter live in the West Indies and Central and South
 ELSIE McDANIELs. Age 15.
 Mansfield
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Wafer Blisters All Over Body For Thirteen Years
Itehed So Had to Tie ChiId's Hands. Very Cross and FretfuI. Hair
 Came Out. Cuticura Healed.

My son was three years old when water blisters began on his head, then on his eyes, and then all over his body. His skin was inhamed and red, and the z311I breaking out itched so that had to tie nlitteason his hands for he would scratch and make it spread. He was very cross and fretfnl, and kept me awake nights. c z Hiselothing would stick to him and his hair came of and was dry and lifeless. The trouble lasted thirteen years.
 'sHe began to use Cuticura Soap and -. Oiutu1ent, and in two weeks there was hardly pimple on my boy. and now he is healed" (Signed) Mrs. Martha Aas L. Thomas, R. F. D. 3, Chester, Vt. ao dz Oct. 4, 1916.
 Use Cuticura Soap for toilet purposes, assisted, now and then, by touches of Cuticura Ointment to soothe and heal any tendency to irritation, redness or ru1ehness of the skin or scalp. By using xsssn these delicate, fragrant super-creamy - emoIlientsfor all toilet purposes you may prevent many skin and scalp troubles S becoming sef1ous.
 For Tfial Free by Return Mail address postcard: saCuticurs, Dept. R. zz<s Boeton." Sold throughout the world.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
RuIss for Young Writers.

paper only, and number the pages. Use pen and ink, not pencil. 8. Short and pointed articles will De 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 te> Jncle Jed, Bulletin once.
 'fWhateyer yeu arS-Be that!
 Whatever you gay-Be true!
 Straightforwardly act,
 Be honest-in fact,
 Be nobody else bus you"
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Our iihrary.

The town of Lebanon has a very fine library called the Jonathan Trum- bull library. It is in the center of the town. This is not very convenient for all people of the town who live at some distance so the school board has arranged to loan books to the pupifs and parents through the school.
 Each one of the schools Is supplied with . portable library very much like the one loaned by the Colonial Danes, but we find this much more interesting.
 The library we have contains thirty six books, some books Of fiction, his- tory, geography and current topics. These are by such famous authors as Harold Bin Wright, Gene Stratton Porter, Thomas Dixon, Jr., and many others. The ClansInan is my favorffe. I think it very interesting and I think MT. Dixon a wonderful author.
 Of the thirty-six books I have read twenty-seven. was chosen librarian Each pupil is allowed to keep a book two weeks; and best of all we may
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
JED's TALK TO WIDE.
 1,. AWAkES,

The country roads are reeking with
 mud and the frost is coming out of the
 ground and the ice melting of the
 swamps and ditches.
 It will not be long before you will .zsee the purple haze of spring on the , horizon, and hear the lpeep-toads call
 ing for their mates.
 ~. These toads must De pretty hungry. ; for they have not had anything to eat
 for five months. and have not taken ; drink or drawn a breath, for they are
 hfbernating in the cold mud now, and can only start, when the earth gets : warm enough to wake them up. x The woodchucks and the bears hi-
 bernate, as do the toads, and although |, they show no signs of life their hearts beat. When a. hibernating creatures heart stops beating it is dead. With $ out fresh air or food the heart keeps beating through the long months they
 lie unconscious each year.
 And the peep-toad's nest is a lump of white jelly with the black eggs
 distributed in it so that it looks like F plum pudding; and at midday when ! Inc water is warm this nest floats on Stop of the water; and when the sun 2 goes down and the water coo1s it sinks 2 10 the bottom of the water; and so it Keeps always in the warmest part of -lf1e water untif the tadpoles hatch out The toad-to-be does not become a
 tadpoIe for several weeks. or show any sactiye life for several days. It may
 be moved about in the water with a
 rtraw just as if it were a stick, but III at once it becomes conscious and
 il1ed with fear, and then it will run Lway from your straw the moment you push it towards it. And watch it as close as you may, ,Fou will not be able to tell how it . nows it is in peril of a morning when
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Katherine,s Kitten.

Dear Uncle Jed: One day Daddy brought us up a grey box. with little hole in it; and he made me guess what was in it. I guessed everything but the right one. Tben he lifted the GOV CT and out came the cutest little kit ten. It was stripped like a tiger. It was hardly able to walk 1t was so small. But gave 1t sOnNa milk and 1t drank it. t,lt is two years old now and his name is FTislIy.
 When ] say. get the mouse he will go to the different places around the room looking for it. but never seems to get one. I like my ldttie very much and some day hope to have little dog.
 KATHERINE FARRELL, Age ii.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Au.obioorsphv of . Lead Pencil.

I was first a piece of an oak tree. l was cut and taken to large factory.
 They put me in a machine which made me round. Then a man bored a hole in me and poured in lead phos- phite. A coat of bright pink was put on me.
 was then packed. in a box and when the box was opened I found my self in a large stationery store on the third shelf
 enjoyed my life there watching the people coming in and going out, buy ing cigars and candy.
 One day a schooIboy came in and bought me. He took very good care of me at first. But after a while he began to sharpen me. I grew very small and was soon thrown away.
 Thus ended my happy life.
 GLADYS WILLIAMSON, Age 13.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
A Medsrn.e eenov,.tern,.

Of late years large snowztorn1s have been known as bfizxards. Years ago . blizzard occurred most every year end caused people to be shut in for many days in succession by drifts from IF to 20 feet deep.
 A severe storm occurred this year which might be called . small b1ixxand. The snow began descending on Erf- day evening. covering the ground with n crystal white sheet. Saturday ell was peaceful and quiet and as the newly fallen snow was damp and sticky. many snowmen were nadA.
 Sunday morning about half past 5 the sDew began to fall anew. It fell steadily during the day, qcozaing at times in very large flakes, and a little later in very diminutiEe particles. Al night the snow ceased to fall but was followed by violent wind containing sleet and rain which tore shutters from their hinges, upset small bufld- inEs, and banked the, snow in large drifts on fields paths, fences and roads.
 On Monday morning the inmates of the home were awakened by the in. cessant batter of the sleet against the window pane. The wnisfiing of the boisterous wind was heard from far and near.
 As school was kept only until o'clock, we had an Afternoon for fun. Making candy and popping corn fur nished pastine for the house1nates.
 CLARA PARK, Age 1s.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
The Broken Sled.

Dear Uncle Jed: I once had a little sled. It was good sled. too, if it wasn't very big.
 As I was walking down the road l met team. I hitched the sled on the back of it, and then I got in the team myself. The team started; but the horse went slow.
 We went down town. or to Columbia Green. When we were coming home we saw the sled in the road. It was broken and could not be fixed.
 EVA E. NUFFER, Age 8. Columbia
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
POETRY.
Goins to Town With Pa.

I tell you what I liked to do When was bout as big as you, Was go t town with pa!
 They ain't been nuthin' fore or sence Of night one-half the consequences, Nor half s full of pure joy As when my mother'd hoiler: Boy. It's brekfus time, nigh five o'clock F VII hurry up an feed the stock
 Y kin go t town with pa" Beyond the ridge the white road bent The furtheSt then I'd ever went! An then went leadin' down Past Jackson's Crfck an Possum Gap, Through woods so dark I hung t pap, An ever step showed more an more The world I'd never knowed before; An then across the railroad tracks.
 Am tnen-e Burgettstown. Of all. my youthful dreams. I gess.
 Nun half so great cud be! The biggest nillwheel eyer wrought Was turned to grind the grist we
 brougati -- The biggest things the world aroun' saw right there in Burgettstown- No bNildin's half so big and tall! It seemed that there was nuthin'
 Exceptin' pa an' me, The sun'd beedgin' to'ris the west When pad allow: 'FWen, Bud, you best
 Climb up here with yer pa,'' An out from meath the seat 'ud cum The snack that pa had brought from Sum hard d-ioiled eggs an, ginger snaps Was a1lus fa-yor-iteS O pap,s- An I'd eat too, stiIl I cudn't see; An be plum glad, as glad cud be,
 TT git back hum t maj @Jehn p. Wells. in Woman's World
 for ,January.EE
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Honest Work.

Once in a town there lived two blacksmiths. whose names were Mir. May and Mir. Finner. Mir. May was an honest, hard-worlSing man. Mir. F'inner was a lazy. reckless man. ,One day the two blacksmiths were ordered to make chains for two new ships. MT. May set straight to work and took pains to close every ring carefully. Mir. Finner did not care fl they were closed or not. just the same he gets money.
 As soon as the chains were finished and attached to the ships they were set on the water. The ship that had MT. Mays chain sailed away and came safely back into the harbor; but MT. Timers chain broke in the middle of the ships voyage and the ship was wrecked.
 wish all boys and girls should be like Mir. May
 IDA STOCK. Age 12.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Autobiography Of a Kitten.

The first I remember about myself Is that I was born in a high loft of hay. was born about four months Rgo.
 My mother is black with little white around her nose and under her throat and she is two years of age.
 could not see anything for about ten days. The people who kept my to look for her. They found her near the cupola. in the cowbarn in the hay
 I stayed in the barn for about three weeks. Then my dear, dear mother to climb for about i've minutes be- cause I was heavy for dear mother to carry me so far.
 She finally got me to the house and I thought. Oh. what nice and happy home~I shall have!
 When my mothers owner would come in with the milk he would give my mother and I a great big dish of milk every night and morning.
 Around my dear mothers neck they had little collar and she told me that would have one some day when got old enough.
 My dear mother would catch rats and mice for me. I don't know what [ would have done without her.
 The children used to play with me. They used to dress me up with a iit-- tie hat and coat. My mother used to sit at their feet and watch me so as to see did not get hurt.
 When the children used to get through playing with me they used to put me in 8 box with hay in the bottom. On top of the hay was a iit- tie quilt and they had a little pillow for my head. When they thought I, was getting tired they would put me in my little bed and rive me a drink of milk and a piece of bread or cake would sleep for about half an hour at time. After I woke up would look for my mother. When I couldn't find her I would sit on the window sill looking for her.
 ELSIE M'DANIEI1S, Age 15.
 Mansfield Center
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Georqe Dewey.

George Dewey, the third admiral of the United States navy, was born in Vermont, Dec. 26, 1887. As boy George Dewey was not fond of study.
 He entered the naval academy when he was IT and was graduated in 1858. fifth in his large class.
 His first active service was in Far r.-ut's attack on New Orleans, and t. he showed courage and coolness u sSr fire.
 Aor two years after the war he was Eructor in the naval academy. In
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22

talke xhese bopks home for our parents AsA friends to read. library and we shall be glad to get a new one.
 Parenfs and children are grateful to the town for making 1t possible to use .thase books.
 Perhaps we would not be able to get any books at all were it not for Someone's generous. thought.
 PELAGIA KURTZ, Age 13.
 Yautic.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
His Pet Mice.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am a boy Il years old. and I love animals very much. My uncle gave me two white rats on my birthday. The white rats were very tame and would eat out of my hand and loved to have me give them candy they would sit up and the mcandy they would sit up and wash their faces with both paws aft CT eating it and looked so cunning. When I come home from school they run to the other end of the cage and wait until I talk to them and I let them out and they climb up on my shoulder.
 One day I put them out in the yard and some dogs opened the cage and let them out and the cat caught them. felt very lonesome with out them.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Lsttsrs of Advice.

Good children should be like B's, That around the hower-beds one C's And not be fond of too much Els, Which will their loving parents T"s; And if they've hopes of growing Y's They must learn how to use their Is Then if they mind their P's and Q's And every moment rightly US, They surely must, now mark it we'll, Both in and out of school x L.
 Catherine Ursula McGoyern.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Comstina.

One day when it was good sliding my sister and I went. The hill we went on was not pack ed down very hard so it was not good sliding.
 We then went on a steep hill. Some men watched us who were waiting for the mail.
 went to the top but my sister was afraid.
 We had a fine time.
 MASON NUIfFER, Age 1s. Columbia
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
The caeae Tree.

The cacao tree is mostly cultivated in South America and West Indies.
 The fruit Of this tree consists Of a large nesi1y pod of bright yellow color, branches and the trunk. The pods are cut from the tree, and the seeds, which are as large as lima beans, are removed, dried, and shipped to fac tories in the United States and Eu- rope. The seeds contain large amount of fat and in the process of preparing chocolate and cocoa much of this s separated and is known as cocoa butter.
 MARY BORovTcKA, Age F.
 West Wilmington.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
seIono. .o Audubon Society.

Dear Uncle Jed: went to school every day this term. am in the Fifth grade.
 We have to sell post cards and we are going to send away and get picture. When I sol1 mine it was slushy and I got my feet wet.
 We are having an Audubon society which I like very much. The extra copies of both came last Thursday. J got blue jay.
 HENRY P. HOLDEN. Age 10.
 South Windham.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Stand by Uncle Sam.

Now that the census is being taken, let all true Americans be ready for tie fight and for the cannon peal.
 Forward, through blood and toll and cloud and fire. glorious the shout, the shock, the crash of steel. the volley's roll, rockets blasting spire, so say be ready and stand by Dear Old Uncle Sam.
 FLOYD E. LAMBERT, Age g.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
A Ria Snows$orn,.

Dear Uncle Jed: We had big snow storm here Monday. The snow was very near up to our knees. The drifts were as high as the stone wall.
 We had some fun playing snowfall and walking in the drifts. It is rain- ing today. It has taken the snow all off
 zILLAiFI MARRIOTT, Age F.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
The Common Pin.

The common pin which we use ev- cry day was at first a piece of wire with a great many kinks in it.
 To make the pin then first put the wire into iron rollers which takes out the kinks. These rollers cut the wire into pin lengths. Then it Is put into another machine (with slits in it) with a little piece left out. then struck with an iron bar and the head is made.
 Then the other end is filed off and made into a point. It is then put into a vessel of melted copper and tin, which changes it and makes 1t shiny and streng.
 It is then put into papers and away to many countries to be sold
 JOSEPHINE FIARRrAAN, Age F
 Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Likes His Bunnies.

Dear Uncle Jed: I'll tell you about my rabbits. They are very tame. They will stand on their hind legs. Their names are Jim and Beauty. My big rabbit is gray and my lit- tie rabbit is white and has yellow spots. They eat all kinds of vege- tables and cake and drink milk and water.
 like my .bunnies very much.
 ERIC SKINNER. Norwich Town.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22

I like to read letters from the Wide -Awalxes and about animal pets. HENRY LaBONNHs.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22

WIT pc IWo fedEs Ne SsorTas Dear Uncle Jed: This year I am go- ing to the Connecticut Agricultural college at Storrs. I am taking a two years course in the school of economies. This course can be taken without four year course at