davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE.
 AWAKES.

Autobiography of Sheep.
 I was born in a shagged shed with a lot of sheep.s
 My mother was white, with black legs, and a black nose.
 My bed was on some straw laid on the ground.
 My mother was with me all the time Sometimes we would go out into a green lot which was full of green grass.
 When 1t was almost dark at night we were brought home and put into the shed. If it rained we would get all wet because it rained through the roof.
 We were in the lot where there was grass. Around this lot there was a very poor fence, but none of us would go over.
 Once as we were in the pasture we saw a funny animal running toward us. All Gt once we saw 1t was dog. So off we ran with all our might and he did not get us. But as we were running I hurt my leg on a sharp stone. When we came home, our master put on some kind of medicine that. made it heal up in a week.
 We like our master because he is gentle and kind to us.
 Another time we were out in the pas ture, when a dog came and tried to kill us, but we "a naWay.
 SOPHIE MUSIAL, Age 13.
 Mansfield Center.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
POETRY.
THE HORSE TO HIS MASTER.

I am horsas you are a man: I've been vour slave since began, And though I'm strong enough to
 shake
 My shackles off and make a break For freedom that would lift the lid, You've noticed that I never did. By day and night I've worked for you And done the best that I could do; And though I may not always like Your methods, yet l never strike; In heat and cold, in wet and Try I'm always ready-glad to try To do the very most I can To satisfy my master, man. Therefore. my master, if you please, Consider such facts as these: Say. don't You think it ought to be Your pleasure to look out for me, If for no other reason than My great usefulness to man? Of course you might be worse, I
 know
 You sometimes treat your own kind so, But I'm a Horse, and truer than The rnan-sIave to his master, man. And. furthermore, my nature is Much more dependent than is his, And as I trust you, Sir. you should Do all you can to make it good. Nor do I ask a lot, I guess, To he fairly fair success Good food, good shelter, good care, [ think, is just about my share. No other pay I ask-no touch ' make. but this, Is that too much?
 " J. HAMPTON, in
 New York Times.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
Edwards Garden.

Dear Uncle Jed: Monday morning when I got up, I filled the woodbox This I do every morning. Then 1 chopped some kindling wood, and worked in my garden. About s.3O went to school When I got home I immediately visited the pantry. There I found some cake and ate some of it.
 Tuesday I planted some seed in my garden, and discovered that my beets and beans were up.
 In my garden l have four rows of onions, twenty five feet long, five rows Of beans, twelve feet long. I have some pansy plants, and sweet alyssum up about one-half inch. I have one en-foot row of beets, carrots, onions, onion sets. radishes, Swiss chard, let tuce, parsnips, so lettuce plants, 20 endive and twenty plain lettuce plants.
 My onion sets are about five inches high.
 My father has about three-quarters of an acre of flint corn planted. It is coming up fast now. His potatoes are up about four inches. We have about one-Quarter of an acre of beans.
 Last Saturday father and I set some traps in the field where he has his corn and potatoes. They have been sprung several times, but we haven't gotten any thing. yet. We put rags, soaked with gasoline down MT. Wood chuck's hole. I guess that finished him. We found four holes and stop ped them up.
 Yesterday I rode around Knowlton's lake. It is a flve-mile ride. It took
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
PRESENCE OF MIND IN AN EMERGENCY

Edmond Graham of Boston, Mass, a lad of sixteen years of age was visit ing his cousins, Bertram and Lester Arnold, in the early spring of 1915, at Rayberry, N. H. Lester was somewhat lame because he had a serious fall when very young, and was obliged oft entimes to favor his leg so he could not join in all the lads strenuous un- dertakings but enjoyed watching them, and they did have fine times to- gether.
 The succession of warm days caused the ice along the shore Of the bay to crack and break up. and the boys spent seve eral hours each day in play ing on the ice using long poles to sway the blocks from side to side.
 One day fire was made on the bank and Lester remained to tend the fire and to prepare the picnic lunch, while Edmond and Bert.;m played on the ice. Suddenly the ice snapped and broke off from the shore and they were swept out into the current and f1oated slowly down stream. The boys considered this a pleasant coincidence and laughed heartily as they were borne along.
 Lester stood aghast gazing out upon the waters, then, as a thought came to him, he turned and rushed madly along the shore, forgetting that rum ming was a forbidden sport. He kept the ice raft in sight until he swerved
 
 Kempton's residence.
 It did not take ong to pursuade that gentleman to take ropes, blankets and any thing needful to pursue the boys in his automobile, and his tele- phone fairly buzzed before they start ed with messages to parents. divers, sailors and doctors. They halted on bridge many miles down stream. a mile or so this side of the harDor which led into the ocean and where the current wsa so strong that the boys would be likely to Se dashed against the abut- ments and be killed or drowned.
 In the meantime the cake of ice f1oated faster and faster as the cur rent grew stronger and stronger for brisk breeze was blowing, Bertram and Edmond now fully aware of their danger were filling the air with their shrieks as they passed under the first bridge unharmed. People followed the cries and gathered on the bridge, but could do nothing to rescue them, so the boys bounded on, up and down the large waves expecting any moment that monster one would sweep them from their refuge.
 Their screams could now be scarcely heard on account Of the wailing and whistIing of the wind and the roaring of the waves. The iookers-on were struck numb with horror and no one had the presence of mind to realize what might be done As the boys recognized the bridge which they were approaching their cries ceaseH and braced themselves to meet their doom.
 By the bridge was a steam launch
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
Mildred's Pony.

Dear Uncle Jed: One morning grand pa asked mother if she wouldn't like to so with him to Rockville. She said she would. He did not tell her why he was going, but it was to get pony.
 They started at o'clock in the morning and got back about 6 o'clock in the afternoon.
 When they reached Rockville they found the man grandpa wanted to see and the first thing he said was:
 Did you come to see the pony?"
 This puzzled mother, for she had not heard anything about any pony.
 They got the pony and had their lunch and stayed little while in Rock vile to do some shopping.
 Then they started home. It was 15 miles and as a pony cannot be ex- pected to travel as fast as a horse, it took some time to make the trip. Grandpa and mother took turns walk ing up the long hills so the pony would not have such a heavy load to carry.
 When they reached home they left the pony at the barn and walked up to the house. It was rather of a sur prise to me because 1 did not know about the pony. When we got him he had already been named Prince, so we did not have to name him.
 have many good times with him.
 MILDRED H. kNOWLTON.
 Mansfield Center.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
A Snowstorm.

Dear Uncle Jed: Arising one cold and frosty morning, I jumped up and opened the window. Instantly a raw gust of air struck me. I was greeted flock of crows, who were lazily flying southward. Occasionally a dog parked and a rooster crowed. This I think all indicated that a storm was coming.
 Hastily closing the window, I dress ed quickly, as the moist air had made me uncomfortable. Darker and darker grew the day, the wind shifted north east, with increased velocity. Soon the snowf1akes started, a few at first, but soon they came in dense numbers as if they meant business.
 It certainty was a typical New Eng land blizzard. Huge drifts were piled in this and in that direction. and as far as the eye could reach. over hill and dale lay a dazzling whiteness.
 MICHAEL MARRIOTT, Age 14.
 NorwiCb
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
Norwich
The Good Gray Poet.

Dear Uncle Jed: Walt Whitman. ,. who was the producer of the most distinctly American literature, was a native of West Hills, Suffolk county. May 31 was his ninety-eighth birth day anniversary. The house in which ne was born is still standing along side the main highway to Huntington. It is passed by the cross-island troll ley road. A stone monument on the highway. and in front of the house, is inscribed to the effect that Whit man lived within. 1 pass the house every day and have also seen the stone monument and two or three oak trees called the whitman oaks" They are bea utiful old trees My Rome and the oaks.
 Whitman died in Camden. N. J. where he resided for many years. and his body rests there, in HarIeigh cem- etery. within a tomb whose construc- tion he superintended in his lifetime.
 In his young manhood Whitman re- sided on the South country road West pied by the residence O. G. W. Gill more: and Whitman often fshed in the adjoining lake and loafed on it's banks. While living there he was defendant in a suit for assault and battery, the story of which has been told many times.
 We sat at dinner. not long ago. with a gentleman now famous in the print ing trade who as a young man set type in the same alley with Walt Whitman in newspaper office in Camden. Whitman set with his own hands the pages of his book. Leaves of. Grass. He loved a printing office and loved to set type: and it whiled away time for him because he was
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
rheir stranue Guest.

Leo was only six, but he knew what wolves were. He had loved to hear stories read about the wolves of the forest, and other stories in his book about Mir Wolf and Mrs. Wolf, and there were pictures of MT Wolf in d cap and coat.
 When, one morning, he heard his father say that MT. Wolf was com ing to dinner Leo went away by him self and sat down to think it over. It seemed strange that one of these peo- pie right out of a story book was coming 10 see papa and mamma.
 He began to grow afraid. It seemed as if he could not meet this dreadful MT. Wolf. When it was time for din- ner and the guest had arrived. Leo was nowhere to be seen. 4 thorough search was begun and at last he was found hiding in a closet.
 Come out, Leo" said his father"
 Whats the natter"
 I'm afr-a-i-d of MT. Wolff" walled Leo.
 MT. Wolf won't hurt you. Come out!" and Leo was gently pulled into the room.
 See. here is Mir. Wolf! He's a good man, and nkes little boys.
 'Is that Mir Wolf?'' asked Leo, in great surprise.
 Yes. that is Mir. Wolf. What is there so strange about him?
 Leo pulled down his fathere head and whispered in his ear: 'Why. didn't know he had a peoples face."
 BEATRICE HELENA. :, Age II.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
rhin-Chin- CherrY.

 Written Specially for The Wide
 Awake Circle.) The sun is just peeping his eye OCT All nature is waking; the birds run ming triIIsi Flying close to my window, a gay little elf Is eyeing the blossoms, and saying to himself sChip. chip, cherry, Old man Jerry! Chip, chip, .cherryl Old man Jerry!'' No meal is in sight on the old cherry tree: But the gGT little fellow, sends this up to me: T know they'll be there at some flu : ture' date, Red and ripe cherries. and so will wait" ~Chip. chip. cherry. Old man Jerryi Chip. chip, cherry! Old man JerTy!" While waiting for cherries. I'll dig me worm: Or fat little bright kernel or seed I may see, While hoping for something on the old ~chfp. chip. cherryI Old man Jerry! Chip, chip, cherry. Old man Jerry!" So sing you a song: and. laugh when you can: And hope on, and keep on. and work like a man; For spring time and blossoms and fruit will come soon; Don't sp01d your time crying; but sing you this tune: Chip. chip, cherry. Old man Jerry! Chip. chip, cherry. Old man Jerry!'
 HILLS" June 12th, 1912.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
The Teachers May Basket.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought I would to our teacher on May 9d. Sixteen of us came and they ali gathered al our house and played till time to go. So we put ali the candies in the basket and went to Miss Bliss house and two.
 At once a boy got caught, and he told two of us where we should go.
 Then teacher came running after us. When we were all caught but two we went into her house.
 Our teacher gave US the candies and she said that the basket was nice and the candies and flowers. We came home at 10 o'clock.
 HANS J. STEIN7MEYER, Age g.
 Ia agleville.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
Lena Had Her Wish.

Dear Uncle Jed: One day as I was doing my work in the house I was wishing something. It was just like asking and receiving. I will tell you what I was wishing.
 As I was going home from school with one of my friends she told me of her being in the canning club. So this is what I was wishing: I was wishing to be in the canning club.
 When I got home I asked my mother If I could be in the club. My mother agreed. but when my father got home he said:
 No; she has no time to can this summer
 So told the teacher with sorrowful heart that I could not be in the can- ming club, or any other club.
 One day Mir. Alderman (who is the agricultural supervisory came and asked the children to which club they
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
Making Cake.

Making Cake. Dear Uncle Jed: To Julia and Tom nothing seemed more pleasing than making cake.
 they couldn't try their luck in cake making. It had been raining out of doors and the children had had little if any recreation for the day. To please them their mother said they could try it.
 The children thought they would like to make a loaf of gingerbread with raisins and citron in 1t. Tom was a lad of five summers, while Julia, lassie of ten, quite a difference you see between them. They decided that Julia was to get all the dry fngre- dients, the mustard. ginger, flour, etc and cut them up. Julia had the four, mustard, and ginger sifted, but Tom had but two raisins cut. Next JuIia put molasses in, and then told Tom to stir the batter, and she would cut the raisins. After she had them all cut she thought she would put butter over them and sprinkle a little four. She sent Tom after the flour, and as he was anxious to put the cake into the oven he hurried quickly. He was sent on numerous other errands, but ah! each time never forgetting to put his fingers into the batter to see how laugh certainly at the sight of mis- chievous Tom trudging hurriedly across the floor licking his fingers. At length the cake was mixed and ready for the oven.
 Julia, thinking she had everything in put it into the oven to bake. Soon it was time to take it out again. and- to their sorrow they found it as fiat as pancake. Julia had forgotten the baking powder.
 Their mother told them they could not make any more cake until they were older, sugar and flour is a little too expensive to be wasting. Don't you agree to this?
 "An ounce of pluck is worth a ton of luck"
 HELEN BRINK, Age 13.
 Norwich
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
Silver Medal Contest.

Dear Uncle Jed: I thought you would be interested in hearing about the sil- yer medal contest held in Warrenville under the auspices of the W. c. T. L. on the evening of May 24th.
 There were three pupils selected from our school Ashford town) to take part in this contest. It is three miles from our village to Warrenville, so a kind gentleman in the village took his span of black horses, hitched them to a lumber wagon. covered the bottom with straw and invited twelve of us to go down with him. This is what we call a straw ride.
 We reached WarrenviIie at o'clock We had very much fun unloading. We entered a hall which was filled with people.
 The children who took part were seated upon the platform.
 When the contestants were through speaking there were three judges who
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21

and on the deck walked men dressed in divers suits, looking through ffeid glasses. Leaning over the railings on both sides wero several sailors with ropes in their hands while near them was an automobile in which sat a white, ghostly- faced boy, and an elder ly gentleman, who was calling out in loud, sharp voice.
 Watch sharp, fellows. Iasso them Never mind if you throw them into the water, the divers will then see to them Go on! It is their only chance"
 as Silence prevailed except for the were strained as they gazed on the wild and maddening water. The boys had ceased to use the poles and their ends caught in the bridge and sweEved the ice between the piles underneath. just escaping the ropes which were thrown to catch them as they passed The crash caused the boys to be thrown into. and to sink to the bot tom of the black, greenish water. Not voice was heard. All held their breadth as the divers dived and sank from sight. The water whirled around as the divers appeared on the surface; they grasped the ropes and tied them about the shoulders of the boys and they were drawn up on the bridge where physicians wrapped them in blankets and they were taken in an unconscious state to the nearest house where the untiring efforts of the doctors TIT te1iAO ANobOi gu LilCiAlS OAL HI 11 WCdh condition.
 Hot, quieting cordiaIs were given them and they slept for hours. awak- ing bright and talkative, but they were only permitted to see their parents that day, and were not taken home for a week.
 The parents felt that they could new CT express their thanks to Squire know1ton for his timely aid, but he said the rescue of your boys Is due to Lester's presence of mind, his ability to see and suggesting what could be done and his aptness in acting at once.
 Of course, I put my telephone to use and knew just where to send for help and my pocket-book enabled me to procure it. and just what was re- Quired
 Afu and Mrs Graham remained for two weeks and all endeavored to make the days as pleasant as possible for Lester, who by the doctors orders, must remain in his room for several months. The feeling that he was not useless, even if he was lame, helped him to bear his shut-in- life cheer fully, and to plan what he would do when he wAs about again.
 Control over self caused Lester in time of emergency to throw aside all thoughts of his feelings, lan1eness, and fright, and to think of what could be done and to do it, then wait for results. All boys and girls would do we'll to fol- low his example and exercise presence of mind in time of peril and danger.
 N. H. DIANA.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21

that Edna just watered the garden. No, indeed, she helped to weed and hoe, also.
 tuce with greater relish for had they not raised them themselves? Of course, the. soup tasted much better, for wasn't it seasoned with the greens they had raised? My, but they were pDoud of their mothers canned tona- toes for those were the tomatoes they had grown.
 It was sturdy and well s1nburned children who, returned to their win ter home to tell their friends of their garden. No doubt they will have a larger garden and crop this year than last.
 HELEN R. KLNGoN, Age 1s
 Colchester
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
THE WINNERS OF PRIZE BOoKs.
 Omitted Last Week

1-Barbsra Seheiefer. Of lfanrnalf Depot-The Outdoor Girls s1 a Motor Car.
 Gillian Korner, Of Mansfield De- pot-In the Big Woods.
 3-Carrie Fiau7merlin, af Tanrfe1f Depot-Ethcl Morton a- Sweet Hrsr Lodge.
 4-Frederick Korne, nf Wanvreif drifts.
 5-Harold Wilde of yVaar1ran n-Ffo7r Clear Grit Won The Day.
 6-Dorothy Merrifcld. or Elt.c- On Grarpa's Farm.
 Richard Schatz, of Tautc-RItn Fielding in Moving Pictures.
 s-Leroy Congdon. of 1Ioosup--11t- Door Girls at Ocean View
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
UNCLE JED'S TALK TO WIDE
 AWAKES.

Never Erumble because your parents want you to work more and play less.
 You have to exercise to play as well as to work. Exercise in play makes your body strong. Exercise in work makes you a useful boy or girl
 4 great American writer once said: Everyone's task is his life preserver; and this is so true it has been pre- served for half a century and will be quoted for ages to come.
 There is nothing bad- about work, and there is nothing good about idle ness. Tn work man has found his greatest joy-in idleness his greatest misery.
 Work not only makes the blood cir culate and creates an appetite, but it helps you to learn and to win a di- plona in the school and useful place In the world.
 They used to say "A1l work and no play makes Jack a dull boy: but I tell you all play and no work makes Jack a dunce.
 Uncle Jed does not know how dilemma came to have two horns, but he sees that it needs them as much as does an OK.
 You will doubtless find zeal and ability in your spelling book Make them yours and represent them and 1t will make life much more satisfac- tory to you4
 Zeal makes one eager to progress and to be useful: and ability has been called "a poor mans wealth." because IL represents his most profitable pos session.
 Ability helps man to do all that man has done-and morei
 It Is knowledge to know how to spell such words; it is higher knowledge to become what these words express.
 You may play: but to make in life E place for yourself you will have to work and work becomes play for men whe love to excel in all they do.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
He Has a Garden.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to have a garden, and the things I am going to raise I am going to bring to the school fair.
 I am going to raise radishes, cucum- soers, popcorn beetS and carrots, and the things are up already and growing nicely.
 In our school we have 21 boys and IT girls, which makes 38 scholars. I live near my schooi so 1 go home for dinner.
 am in the second grade. My teach CTS name is Miss Frances NJ. Bliss. like her very much.
 JOHN WRANA, Age '. Ea gievilIe
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
Joseph. Garden and Water Wheel.

Joseph'e Garuen and water Wheei.
 Dear Uncle Jed: I belong to a gar den club. The garden is ten feet square. The seed cost me twenty cents. I planted the seed as soon as got 1t. There were ten rows in all. The onions, beets, carrots, swiss chard, spinach. parsnips, beans, lettuce, and radishes have come up. The turnips have not come up because I have not planted them yet.
 One day this spring when the water was warm I thought of making a dam. I found a place in my brook that was about fifteen feet wide. I made a wall about three feet high. Then I stuffed all the holes I could see with leaves from the northern side, so the water would push the leaves in instead of pushing them out. In one place l made 8 lock so that I could let the water down some when I want to. The water is about three feet deep.
 Later I thought I could have a water wheel. So l made a water wheel that Is about one foot in diameter. I made a sort of lock through which the water goes to the water wheel. Afterward made a six-inch pulley and put it on the axle of the water wheel.
 I had an old circular saw six inches in diameter. I fixed 1t on a spool and put it on an axle. I used a string for a belt. I have much fun playing with it.
 JOSEPH KUI1AGA
 Mansfield Center.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
A Good Recipe for Fudge.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am sending in a very good recipe for fudge. I have made it many, many times and have had splendid luck.
 Measure two cups of granulated su- gar, one-haif cup of milk, four table spoons Of cocoa and mix together: then let it boil five minutes. Take 1t off and add one teaspoon of vanilla and beat until 1t is creamy; then pour into a buttered pan and set in a cool place. Just before it sets, cut into squares.
 I think all the Wide-Awakes will enjoy it if they follow the directions.
 MARY L. O. CASEY, Age 1S.
 Norwich