davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

notice nor care when his father left.
Lewis was in the sitting room by
an open window, for it was summer
time. The door leading to the kitchen
was closed. He had been alone for
some time when he heard something
rafting in the kitchen.
Was it burglars? There had been
burglars in town stealing money, food
and whatever they could find. He
hadn't a gun so he ran across the
street and summoned his father. Mr..
Miller and the neighbor got a gun
and a fash light and went to Mr..
Miller's home.
Mr.. Miller opened the kitchen door.
A rafting came from near the cup
board. He turned on the hashlight
and his neighbor leveled the gun.
They saw no one! They looked
around and still no sight of anyone
Who could it be and where?
There came a rafting from under
the stove. When they looked they
saw the old gray tabby cat with a
salmon can over her head.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
Prize Winner a Bookworm.

By Matiwan J. Anderbery, Aged 8
Years, Minden, Neb. Blue Side.
l received my prize book before
my letter was in print and was very
much pleased with it.
The name OF it was the Water
Babies by Charles Kingsley. 1t is
very interesting and is about boy
named Tom who fell into a pond and
then became water baby. Then he
went through many adventures in the
water.
l wish I could win some mere prize
books because | am keeping all the
books that | get, and | think that |
have read about twenty-five books
out of the Minden Public library. The
books are very interesting. | took
THE Golden Goblin" the last time
from the library and it is very good
book.
Some of the other books ] read
were the RED Book, Blue Book"
and "Green Fairy Book" They all
have fairy tales in them.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
a xsuxAv vzr ENVELOPES 791z 1zmoEzrous,

He struck one and knocked him down
the stairway. He was belaboring the
others when. wolf OF the under
world who carried the most formid-
able fang known to his pack, black
jack, struck him with it, and he top
pied forward like tree in a storm
which has been struck by lightning,
carrying squirming mass of his as
sailants with him.
Then all was silent upstairs, all save
a MORALLY wounded gangster, who,
squirming and cursing, drew a pistol,
pointed it at Strong and pulled the
trigger. II missed FIRE. The gangster
was aiming anew when, with crash,
the police swept into the building.
Ackerton was at the head Of a
squad of detectives, and his share in
the raid was to locate Beverly, while
the men in uniform had orders to
round up all hands in the resort. Wee
See, when he sighted the onrushing
bluecoats, dived for the Underwater
and descended to the basement i'll it.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

Al the same time The Hyena, receiv-
ing warning of the danger, pressed
spring near the door, and slowly the
room began to- drop. Built by the
Secret Seven for just such all
emergency as that presented by the
police raid, it swung downward when
certain mechanism was set in motion,
and in its former place appeared an
innocent looking compartment con-
tanning few chairs and table. Only
the trusted confederates of The Secret
Seven knew of this continuance.
Like soldiers trained to guerrilla
warfare the police charged through
the lower part of the building, strik-
ing down desperadoes, who flashed
knives and pistols. Next a squad OF
them rushed upstairs. The dazed
gangsters there began rallying for
last stand, and two brave bluecoats
gave up their lives in the encounter.
The police seized Strong, who with,
torn clothes and battered features,
was mistaken for gangster.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
Johnn;' and the Gypsies.

By Martin Nerly, Aged Is Years, &C.
neva. Neb. Blue Side.
I am sending to you the story of
Johnny and the Gypsies," and wish
very much to sec it in print.
Once there was a cute little boy
named Johnny Brown. One day on
his way to school he saw covered
wagon, so he thought he would take
look inside. A large man caught
him and tied him to the back of
the wagon.
Pretty soon they hitched the horses
up and started moving, taking poor
Johnny with them. He tried to break
loose and scream, but they told him
il he screamed they would stick dirty
rags and papers in hs mouth.
They travelled mile after mile, but
finally car came behind them.
Johnny cried Help! helpw
One of the men got out and de-
manded Johnny's release and the
Gypsies had to give him up. The
marshal took them prisoners and
Johnny was take,, home, where his
anxious parents were overjoyed at
seeing him.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
Twilight Animal Stories
"Bumper the White Rabbit
BY George Ethelbert Walsh

and Mary holding the other, Bumper
felt as if he would part somewhere in
the middle. He kicked with his hind
legs, and scratched Toby's hands, but
the boy would not release his hold.
He gave sharp jerk, and Bumper
let out squeal.
you cruel. wicked boy" exclaimed
Mary, as Toby pulled the rabbit from
her arms and swung him around by
his hind legs. Let me have him this
minute. You'll kill himr
mo, | won't! He's mine! Isn't
he, Aunt Helen? You brought him
to me, didn't you? There now. Mary,
she nodded her headl I'm going to
keep him."
But, dear, you must be very gentle
with him." said Aunt Helen. You'll
hurt him carrying him that way"
That's the way to carry rabbits, by
their hind legs" replied Toby. II
saw them in the market the other
day-a whole bunch of them-hang-
ing by their hind legs"
But they were dead rabbits, Toby,
and not live, white ones. Now let
me showyou how to hold him."
But Toby was more interested in
the experiment of making Bumper
squeal than in listening to his aunt's
instructions. 1t was better than the
squeaking camel he had or the girls
doll that said mamma every time you
squeezed it.
Mary could stand this cruel torture
no longer. She made dive for Bum
per and caught him by the fore paws.
In the struggle that followed Bumper
was likely to be pulled apart. What
might have happened no one could
tell if the door had not suddenly
opened, and young girl, with red
hair and freckles on her nose, entered.
She was humming some tune to her
self or to the doll she carried in her
hands; but she stopped singing and
stared at Toby and Mary pulling at
the white rabbit.
Then, she dropped her dell and
sprang forward to Bumpers rescue.
"Oh, that's my rabbit, Cousin Maryw
she cried. Its the one | wanted to
buy from the old woman, but I didn't
have the money. Let go of him,
Toby! You're hurting himw
81 won't! He's mine" came the re-
ply. you let go of him"
Hes not! He's mine"
ale amt! He's mine"
"Stop that!' cried the girl, when
Toby squeezed the legs so hard
Bumper whimpered with pain.
Il won't! I'll squeeze him alI>
want to-
To make good his word he gave
the rabbit harder squeeze. Then
something happened that surprised
every one. The girl raised hand
and boxed Toby's ears so hard that it
made him howl
Nov, take that, and see how it
feels to be hurt!'
Toby clapped both hands to his
ears, and in fash the red-headed girl
seized Bumper in her arms and ran
pell-mell from the room. Toby started
after her, but when the door slammed
in his face he Topped down on the
floor to howl and kick just like
baby who had eaten pickles instead
of good milk for breakfast.
Dummy story runs every day In The Eyen-
ing Bee.)
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

We'll let you sit in the chair for
thisp blazed one of them.
IL don't care what you do" num-
bled Strong. Il want to find Beverly
Clarke. Get Ackerton! l know where
they carried her"
The magic name of Ackerton had its
effect. Strong was taken before the
chief of detectives, whom he led to
the doorway of "the room of last re-
sort" They battered it down. 1t was
empty.
"They couldn't have taken her
herep snapped Ackerton. "Where is
she?"
81 don't know" moaned William.
They carried her i'll here. We must
find her."
How, man-how?" demanded the
chief of detectives.
William made a gesture of despair.
He looked blankly at Ackerton, who
recoiled from a gaze which seemed to
have in it the bursting forth of lunacy.
you ask, Howl" said the club
man, drawing himself to his full height
cru .tehei'h,s ms hs's' alsWei' l
aon know. But we must ma her;
Inc glrl is 100 pure, 70 sweet: ! tell
you, man l ana mere ms voice
tremDled, ana MS mead sank down on
his chest. Ackerton had seen other
men act IN that iashion-men whose
emotions were inspired by love Tor a
woman. AND as az the world loves a
lover, me cher OF detectives loved
William montgomery Strong Tor the
love ne mad betrayed
"Ackertoa,' said Strong, Beverly
Clarke is the victim of vile conspir-
acy. ! did not realize that until these
thugs began bounding me in their ef-
forts TO get the fortune she intrusted
to me. now can see what they are
after. They believe she knows the
whereabouts of that treasure. They
have been torturing her, man--tortur-
ing her-in their efforts to make her
tell something she doesn't know.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
Little Stories by Little Folk
prize Story.)
Dora of the Lighthouse.
BY Alice Anderson, Aged II Years,
Route l Box So, Oakland, Neb.

by Alice Anderson, AGED III Years,
Route Box So, Oakland, Neb.
Blue Side.
Dora lived with her father in a
lighthouse on small rocky island far
from the shore. Her father was
keeper Of the lighthouse and had to
live in it all the time SO as to light
the great lamp at night, and ring the
fog bell as a warning to ships to keep
off the dangerous rocks.
Living so far out at sea, little Dora
could not 60 to school, and she had
no friends but the seagulls, who were
very tame and would come to her to
be fed. All day she played among
the rocks, gathering sea shells and
colored stones.
One day her father got into his row.
boat and rowcd to the shore to buy
some groceries, leaving Dora at the
lighthouse alone. The little girl was
not lonely, for she was busy on the
rocks, gathering shells for neck
lace.
By and by clouds began to gather.
The wind blew and rain began to fall.
The waves dashed against the rocks.
Dora began to be frightened, for she
had never been left alone in storm
before.
1t grew dark, and there was no one
to light the. lamp, which ought to
shine brightly on such stormy night.
A narrow winding staircase led up
to the top of high tower where the
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

Copyright, 1917. by George E, walsh)
When the door of the house flew
open with bang the lady holding
Bumper put one hand to her heart
and exclaimed:
"Oh, dear, what has happened
now"
Bumper couldn't see anyone in the
dark, but evidently the lady could,
for a cool, quiet voice spoke to her.
Toby threw his playthings down
the stairs and he's riding the banis-
tiers with a tin pan for hat. l sup
pose you heard the clatter of the pan
as it fell off,
at sounded to me as if the house
was falling down, Mary! l do wish
Toby would behave"
The one addressed as Mary laughed.
She seemed like a pleasant, whole
some young woman, with pink cheeks
and smiling gray eyes. I've told him
to behave dozen times, but he won't
mind. He's been cutting up all the
morning.
Bumper wanted to run and hide.
If it hadn't been for the fear of fall
ing to the hard floor, he would have
jumped out of Mary's hands and
scampered away. But he had no
chance to do this. There was an
other loud racketty-rack-clumpity-
bang! First big tin dishpan rolled
all the way down the stairs into the
hail. then set of building blocks, a
wooden hobby horse, a lot of animals
from Noah's ark, tin soldiers, a
drum and train of cars. Toby came
last, sliding down the banisters and
shouting in glee as he landed at the
bottom.
1T was a landslide, auntiew he
shouted. 1--WE ali slid down the noun
tain together"
Toby, how many times have l told
you not TO do that" reproved Mary,
while Aunt Helen turned pale and
stood stock still.
Toby paid no attention to the re-
buke. He was small, freckle-faced
boy. In one hand he held a whip
and in the other broken head of a
wooden horse. He picked himself up
and began slashing his toys with the
whip, Bumper gave him one terrified
glance and made desperate dive for
Mary's open waist. But Toby had
sharp. bright eyes.
What you got, Mary?' he shouted,
running toward her, whip in hand.
"Oh, rabbit Yes, it is! You needn't
hide him! l see him! It's rabbit
Let me have him"
BE careful, Toby, you'll tear my
Dress"
LET me have himl He's mine"
"No, no, Toby, don't touch him.
Wait! IN show him to your
But Toby was much too spry for
Mary or Aunt Helen. He darted
around back of them and caught
Bumper by the taih-and you know a
rabbits tail is the smallest part OF
him--and began pulling it, Bumper
let out squeal and pulled the other
way with all his might.
II got himP' shrieked Toby glee.
fully. Il got him by the tail"
Toby! Tobyw cried Mary, CATCH
ing his hand. "Let go of him this in
slant"
81 won'tl | won't! He's miner
Between Toby pulling at one enc
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
George Washington.
By Dores Thompson, Aged 10 Years;
G.a NIL Die S.do

3CSt6S
By Dores Thompson, Aged 10 Years;
Genoa, Neb. Blue Side.
George Washington, the first presi.
dent OF the United States, was born
in Westmoreland county, Virginia,
February p, 1882. His grandfather
came from England to Virginia in
1867, and settled at Bridge creek, on
the Potomac river. George was the
eldest son of the second wife, Mary
Ball.
Washington became surveyor in
ISL, and was appointed general OF
one of the districts of Virginia, with
the rank of major.
Washington left the army at the
close OF the war, on January II, 1859,
and married Martha Gusts, a rich
widow, of Virginia, the former wife
of John Pike Gusts.
Shortly after he removed to Mount
Vernon, that estate having been given
to him by his brother Lawrence. For
sixteen years he led the life of a
planter at Mount Vernon and on his
estate he kept IFS slaves, who were
emanicipated by his will at the death
OF his wife.
Washington became commander-n-
chief on June II, l776. and he hur-
ried to Cambridge, Mass, where he
took command of the army under the
historic elm on July 3.
Washington was elected president
in New York, April 80, 1889, and was
reelected on March 4, 1877, He re-
tired to private life and Martha
Washington was pleased when he
refused to be president the third time.
Washington had no children, but he
adopted two grandchildren of his
wife's.
Washington was six feet two inches
tall.
An old saying about Washington is,
first in war, first in peace and first in
the hearts Of his countrymen."
1t is said that Martha Washington
was busy from morn-till night provid-
ing comforts for the sick and wounded
soldiers.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
THE GREAT SECRET
Novelized From the Metro Wonderfully
Serial of the Same Name, in Which Francis
BY j. M. LoUGHBOROUCH
Author Mobilization Clyde Fitchs Sister" ts
Romance" and other short !

Of bestial brutality, and he sank to the
floor unconscious. Then they carried
him to room, in which they locked
him. One of the band staggered
down stairs, told Bull Whalen Of the
fight and asked what other orders he
had.
These ORDERS" said ,Whalen. "That
girl won't tell where tlie 'swag' from
the casket is. We've been giving her
the third degree, an now we're goin'
the limit. You get The Hyena. Send
him to her room. Let her see Just
what he's like. Let him tell her he's
goin' to take her to the room of last
resort And then il she don't tell
what we want let him take her there
and kill her, il he feels that way about
it. Sect" The breathlcss gangster
nodded and shuffied away.
Sitting near Whalen at the time was
Wee See, his hat drawn down over
his eyes and apparently in stupor.
But within him all the wiles OF the
Celestial were working. He saw The
Hyena go sinking to the room where
Beverly was being held, After few
minutes The Hyena appeared with
Beverly in his arms and entered "the
room OF last resort with her. Wee
See had one keen look at that room as
the door was flung open and then
slammed and locked.
He was covertly observing dumb
waiter door in one corner OF the room
where he sat, when suddenly the
whole house was Jared by a tre-
mendous pounding at the main en-
trance. A trembling drug fiend ran
through the Railways, shrieking that
the police were outside, and then
came a terrible noise from upstairs,
blows that sounded like thunderbolts.
ITS the Willie boy again" yelled
one OF the desperadoes and he and
eight others bounced up the stairway.
1t was indeed the willie boy" but
he was working with all the strength
which mythology ascribes to the
thunder god, Thor. Having regained
consciousness and still filled with a
desperate determination to save Bev-
erly, he had torn leg from heavy
table in his prison and was battering
down the door with it.
Outside the gangsters awaited him
a few powerful blows shattered the
door, and Strong, welding the table
leg as a club, strobe into the hall
Again they leaped at him like wolves.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
What Has Gone Before.

What Has Gone Before.
The Secret Seven Is a band of wealthy
and brainy conspirators, ruled by a super
criminal known as the Great Master.
Thomas Clarke, one Of their number. who
Is multi millionaire, becomes III and de-
cides TO leave his wealth to his niece, Bev-
erly Clarke. instead Of TO The Secret Seven,
as he had sworn 10 do. He summons
Beverly. who Is kidnapped by hirelings OF
The Secret Seven while on her way to his
home. but Is rescued by William Mont
gomery Strong. wealthy young clubman.
Strong escorts Beverly to the Clarke home
and there they receive casket filled with
treasure. This Is tho prize Tho Secret
Seven 10 after. At Beverlys request, Strong
carries the casket to his home. pcspera-
does sent out by The Secret Seven kidnap
Strong and steal tho casket, but the treas
ure has been saved by strong's Chinese
servant Wee See Learning that Beverly
has been again seized by the band, Strong.
after being freed from the headquarters
OF The Secret Seven under orders from The
Great Master, starts out 70 find her. wear
ing the clothing Of Chug, desperate
whom he has overpowerel In his home.
He attends masquerade ball given by
The Great Master. there learns that his
fiancee. Euniee Morton, Is false to him,
and finally trails Beverly to rendezvous
Of the gangsters. where Chug confronts
him. With Chug are half dozen gang
sters Strong. knowing that the police are
on their way TO the rendezvous, parties
for time when Chug challenges him to a
hand-to-hand combat.
CHAPTER V.
The Trap.
Outwardly the clubman seemed
cool and unconcerned, but inwardly
every nerve tingled, and his muscles
were tense at the prospect of terri
Bile battle. When he had slowly re-
moved Chug's coat, which he wore,
he began rolling up his sleeves, mean
time surveying the desperate band he
faced.
IF whip this fellow you men
agree to keep back, do your" he de-
manded.
"That'll dor roared Chug. "You've
said enough, you sissy" Here he
aimed a blow at Strong's jaw. The
clubman cyaded it by ducking and
smashed Chug with q straight RICH,
hand punch that sent him on his back
Instantly the other gangsters began
pilirg in like pack Of timber wolves
assailing mountain lion. And Strong
the darling of Fifth avenue society
was fighting like mountain lion. He
bowlcd over three men. Another
lived at his legs and dragged him to
he floor. His shirt was torn from hi:
back. He was pounded, kicked ant
clawed. At last youth, determination
sa<ill and vigor gave way TO methods
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
New Red Side Member.

By Evelyn Hewitt, Aged Z Years,
Miniature Neb.
am writing this for the benefit
of the Red Side. am Il years old
and | am in the Sixth grade.
Whenever we were trying for the
Red and Blue sides, l always was
on the Blue side, but | think | will
be on the Red side now.
I am getting very sleepy and as it
is getting very late and l have to go
to school tomorrow, | must close.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
A Lesson to Children,
By Margaret Bostder, Aged 5 Yea
Miniature, Neb. Red Side.

By Margaret Bostder, Aged 8 Years.
Miniature, Neb., Red Side.
T. am writing a short story for the
first time. am going to write about
two children, a a boy and girl
named Johnny and Helen.
One bright afternoon Johnny went
out for walk and seeing a pocket
book fall from the old mans pocket,
he picked it up and discovered there
was 80 cents in it.
He spent dime for some marbles
and hid the rest i'll a tree.
Helen had seen everything that he
had been doing, and when Johnny
came home Helen said, you will
wish you had given the mans pocket
book back to him."
Helen told her father and he
whipped Johnny, who never again
kept and money that he found.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
How I Got NV Pet Monkey.

By Halet Bell, Geneva, Neb. Blue
Side.
One day my brother and | were out
in the woods, and all of sudden we
heard some chattering behind us. Just
as we jumped behind tree we saw
group of monkeys coming behind us.
We watched until they drew nearer,
then taking a rope, made large loop
in it and placed it in the path.
They came along unaware of dan
ger, for we were completely hidden
from view. One OF the monkeys that
seemed to be the oldest stepped into
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
(Honorable Mention.)
Trim to Rassett. Neh.

By Irwin Craig, Aged II Years, Fort
Calhoun, Neb. Blue Side.
| will tell you about my trip to
Bassett. Neb. We went in a car the
last week in August. We got up real
early and had breakfast and then
started out. We went as far as Ne
leigh, Neb., the first day. There we
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
Rules for Young Writers

1. Write plainly on ono side Of the
paper only and number the pages.
Q. Use pen and Ink, not pencil.
9. Short and pointed articles will be
given preference. Do not use over $50
words.
I. Original stories or letters only will
be used.
3. Write your name, age and address
ut the top Of the first page.
A prize book will DO given each week
for the hest contribution.
Address all communications to Chill
dren's Department, Omaha Bee. Omaha,
Neb.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
(Honorable Mention.
Travels of a, Rain Drop.

By Helen Crabb, AUTO North Thirty
fourth Avenue, Omaha Neb.,
Age 9. Red Side.
A great bank of black clouds
rushed madly across the Gulf OF Mex
leo, lightning playing and out amongst
the dark masses, and every once in
a while great fash seeming to reach
from the clouds to the water.
1t was here began my life, in the
thickest of the black cloud bank.
was terribly frightened by the blind
ing flashes and the awful roar Of
thunder and wind and was almost
glad when felt myself falling
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
A False Alarm.

By Mamie Root, Aged IS Years, Fair
mont, Neb. Red Side.
In Maine in little lumber village,
lived boy with his father. The boy,
Lewis Miller, was very fond of read
ing, and read every book he could
find.
One night Mr.. Miller told Lewis he
was going to neighbor to see him
on business and would probably be
gone an hour. Lewis was so inter
ested in his book that he did not
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

watch for her father. A fog was
creeping slowly over the sea, and soon
the bright light of the lighthouse
could onlyibe ,seep little ways. Then
Dora went'to'the fog bell and pulled
the rope.
By and by Dora's father was able to
row from the land and when he
reached his lighthouse home he found
the light still burning and his brave
little daughter fast asleep.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

the loop and we pulled it together, at
the same time fastening the monkeys
legs, making him our prisoner.
We took him about one mile this
way and then decided to tie the rope
to only one leg, fastening another
rope l happened to have around his
other leg.
After we reached home we placed
him in cage and tanned him. This is
not true story.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

FUTURE CROWN PRINCE OF GERMAN ROYAL FAMILY
Prince William the eldest of Crown Prince Frederick
William, is shown taking ride sled Pushing the sled
his brother Louis Ferdinand William is II and Louis
Ferdinand is 10 years old
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11

good many times. / think the reason
it is called Elkhorn is because it is
so crooked. This is my second letter.