davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Lois Henderson on Grading
Dolls"

Dear Juniors:
I am going to write about two little
girls trading dolls. The name of the
story is. Trading Dolls
Hello, Mary, where did you get
that doll?" asked Aunt Jessie of her
niece, Mary Hale, who was busy
dressing doll.
Traded my old one for It," Mary
said, proudly exhibiting very beau,
tiful doll
"Give anything besides that?' Aunt
Jessie asked remembering the doll
Mary had had for some time.
Mary shook her head, "Traded
sight unseen"
Aunt Jessie raised her eyebrows
disapprovingly. Whom did you trade
WITH"
Traded with Carrie Cole. This is
the doll she got for Christmas
ooh, and you cheated her. said
Aunt Jessie.
"Why, no, Aunty. l just asked her
If she'd trade, and she said yes
How old is she?"
"She is s years old"
"Why. you are older than Carrie,
her aunty said. "Do you think that
was exactly honest?" Aunt Jessie
asked.
A few days afterward she came out
on the lawn where Mary was trying
to teach her cat how to carry a rubber
ball
"Will you trade cats, Mary?' she
asked.
"Why. have. you cat. Aunt Jessie?"
eyes, I have cat, white cat" she
said.
ooh. I'll trade. Aunt Jessie"
"Sight unseen?" asked Aunt Jessie
Course" replied Mary.
"All right. it's trade"
Aunt Jessie took a toy cat from her
pocket and gave it to Mary and took
Mary's cat away.
Mary looked at her cat and said In
dignantly. This is no cat
"Why, yes it is
"But il isn't live cat"
"No, and the doll you traded Carrie
Cole wasn't real doll. 1t had an arm
broken and there was big hole where
the sawdust came out You don't call
that real doll do you? And yet you
got new doll for it."
Mary had not thought of this be-
fore.
"Where are you going to take my
cat. Aunt Jessie?" she asked wistfully
81 thought I'd give It to Carrie Cole
to make I'D for the doll you cheated
her out of" Aunt Jessie explained.
''I'll take the doll back. Aunt Jessie
and 7 won't trade sight unseen with
anybody else if you will let me have
my cat back" Mary said.
And Aunt Jessie said she thought
that was the only fair way to do.
Lois Henderson. age IL.
Milton. Iowa. Box 61
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Olga M. Williams First
Story All About Cotton
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
This is the first story l have ssnt
in and I would like to see 1t in Print.
Cotton is raised in the warm part
of America. 1t is planted the first
of April. 1t must be chopped when
it Is an inch high and left twelve
inches between each plant. When 1t
is foot high it begins to square and
when 1t is two feet high 1t begins, to
bloom. It has 8d i bloom Of
colors. One morning It is pink, the
next morning II is yellow, and the
next it is white. Then the bloom
falls off. The plant then puts on
holds and when they are the size of
a large marble they burst open
have lived in Oklahoma and picked
lots of cotton. People begin picking
1t about the first of September.
When 1t is picked It Is sent to the
mills and put into large bales. Some
bales weigh over 1000 pounds.
Olga McWilliams, age 10.
North English, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Second George Washington
By Letha Estella
GOnterman

Dear Editor:
This is nv second letter that have
written to The Courier. and l VIII
write about Washington.
When George Washington was a
little boy his father gave him new
| Ratchet for his birthday
7 can imagine how proud Washing
TON was of his little Ratchet, and like
most boys, was anxious to try IT,
One dav he went down in the gar
den and thought he was woodsman.
he thought that the plants were Wild
flowers and the bushes big trees. So
no ran on until he came to little tree
and cut it down.
So in the afternoon after dinner his
father was walking down through the
garden and looking at his plants
when he saw that his little cherry
tree was cut. down. Then he turned
end went back to the house. He met
George at the door, and asked MIN
| If he cut his cherry tree down
George said q did it,, father, | did
| it with my little Ratchet,
But have never heard of but one
.OtlGr George, anu all guns w w.
| YOU about him. He was my cousin.
One day he was ont in the orchard
looking around as Washington did. In
stead of cherry tree he noticed a
plum tree. He wanted his mother to
! see how nicely 1t was growing. In
stead of calling his mother, he went
and got the butcher knife and cut it
! off and took it in the house and said
"See. mother. how nicely this plum
tree is CROWN" and his mother only
| laughed.
When George Washington grew tc
be a man he was general He fought
many battles and won great vic
tories.
! Then he was appointed president
F; The white house was at Philadelphia
at the time Washington was presi
dent.
He was first in war, first in peace
and a country man.
! Letha Estella Gonterman, age IL.
Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
A Drop of Water -
Ernest H, James

was first drop of water living
among the other water in the Indian
ocean. One day the sun was shining
down awfully hot on me when 1t
turned me to vapor and took me up
to the sky where was put in cloud.
| floated around in the air when one
dav I was just over New York City
when l fell to the ground with some
other rain. Then rolled down the
pavement to a little bridge where ]
ran into a little brook. Then finally
the water in the brook all sank into
the ground. was the last to sink
Then crept into the well where
stayed a long time. One day a little
girl had her hands muddy and she
pumped me out of the well into a
wash basin and washed her hands
with me. Then she carried me to the
little brook which took me to Rock
Creek. Then went to the Missis
sippi where have stayed to this day
Ernest II. James.
Batavia Iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Constance on a Nickel and
Its Travels

Once upon a time nickel fresf
from the mint was sent to bank with
lots of other money After while il
put away with some other money.
One day the man took the bright
nickel and gave it to little poor girl
who was hungry and dirty. She took
the nickel and spent 1t for some
bread, for her hungry brothers and
sisters.
The grocer gave 1t to a miser, who
put 1t In dirty pocketbook and took
it home. Il, then put it in chest
with lot OF ,ther money that was
dirty and rusty. The nickel stayed
there for many years.
The miser had died and some people
who had thought he was a miser
looked for his money, but they could
not find it.
One day a couple of little boys
were digging around as they had
moved into the house that the old
miser used to live in, and came upon
this old chest. They were very glad
because they had found the money.
One day soldier of high rank was
at the house where the little boys
lived The little boys told him the
story Of the nickel, and asked him to
wear it over his heart. He said he
would if they wanted him to.
One day on the battle field bullet
struck the soldier, but it did not hurt
him for he had the nickel over his
heart. And for all I know the dent
is still in the nickel
Constance Evans.
Ottunwa, Iowa,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Cora Leona Is an Orphan
Girl But She Lives
With Her Uncle

Dear Juniors:
l thought ! would write you a few
lines.
am 13 years old. My birthday is
August 16. I am an orphan girl. My
father and mother are both dead. My
father died November 9, 1910. and my
mother died January 20, 1912. l have
two sisters and one brother. Their
names are Ellen. Sylvia and Ermal.
II am the Oldest child. am staying
with my Uncle James Johnson. l have
been going to school. l am in the
eighth grade.
Well, l will close hoping to see my
letter in print
Cora Leona Sleeth, age 10.
Exline, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Vera Beatrice Roberts
Writes Story Called
Lucille and the
Mouse

Dear Juniors:
| I am writing my first letter to the
Juniors. The title is Lucille and the
Mouse"
One day Lucille was laying on the
floor reading a book Of which she
was very fond. She was very much
astonished to turn leaf over and see
mouse come up out Of the paper.
| VIII you grant me a favor?" he
began. But Lucille was so dumb
stricken she could make no reply. She
at last said, IF it be anything can
do will grant It, But -" Here she
stopped because the mouse inter-
rupted her by saying, "Then please
take the traps and cats and dogs
and ="
But" again interrupted Lucille,
I'VE have no cats or dogs"
Makes no difference" replied the
ssaucy little mouse, 81 don't like to be
interrupted" He again started. "I'm
too wise to get near traps. but my
children are terribly miscellaneous at
times and l am afraid they will
wander in the trap. Please come with
me to see how many have and how
cute they are"
u accept your invitation" replied
Lucille. "but am too large to get in
your house. Please bring them out
here so I might see your boosted
children"
The mouse did not seem to like her
reply. but said, ."Follow me-"
Lucille fell into sleep and when
she awakened she found herself in
the home of the mouse IAN dream
ing?" she cried. "Not quite" laughed
the mouse.
She looked around. No, she could
not be dreaming because she could
feel the things she touched
How cute your children are" she
cried. II beg your pardon for calling
them boosted children"
After she had promised to throw
the traps away the mouse again said.
GO home"
She fell asleep and awoke and find
ing herself home she set to work to
throw away the traps.
Vera Beatrice Roberts. age II.
los South Mclean St., Ottumwa, Ia.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
CONTEST SUBJECTS.

We all want the juniors to SEND IN
school compositions and other stories
besides the ones on the subjects we
suggest. Sometimes children can
write better compositions when choos'
fng their own subjects. We especially
want letters and ancestor stories.
70 encourage originality and variety
In the juniors work the following list
Is given:
School compositions.
Ancestor stories.
Interesting letters.
Book reviews.
Unusual stories.
&f Current events.
Soldier stories related by veterans
and retold by juniors.
Select prizes from among the follow
ing: Bluebird pin, friendship link.
book. box Of letter paper. doll. box OF
school supplies, box of candy or
knife.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
THE FEBRUARY CONTEST.

Oftertimes when we are wanting a
subject for new contest. the want
js supplied by some dear Junior. And
today in consequence of the want" be-
ing supplied, we will announce an
"Autobiogra ply" contest. You all
know that the word Autobiography
means a history or in other words a
story Of ones life written by ones
self. This contest Is open now
and the writers can select their prizes
from among the following: Scehts.a-
bal. skates, either ice or roller. candy.
book, box Of letter paper.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
George Washington Always
on Timely Bernard
4 Fulmer
Dear Editor:

D00E LUltOl.
Is it true that George Washington
was always on time? This is good
question to ask at any time, but it is
especially good now. as George Wash
ington's birthday is here. George
Washington was very prompt, very
punctual, or. as we put 1t ourselves.
ON time. We cannot say he was al
ways on time, but we can say that he
always tried to be and that it was
not his fault when be was late TO
an appointment. In those days acct
dents were bound to happen to delay
people on journeys from one place to
another, Just as they do In these days.
George Washington thought it was
discourteous, impolite, ungentlemanly
to keep anyone waiting. He said it
was part of a gentlemans duty to be
on time at an appointment, and, by
the way, George Washington was right
about that. When he delivered his
communications to congress he came
himself in person and he always en-
tered the hall just as the state house
clock was striking twelve. When he
gave a dinner he issued his invita-
lions for o'clock and he allowed
only five minutes for the variation OF
time In his guests watches. When bis
guests came tagging in he would say
with an amused smile, Gentlemen,
we are too punctual for you. have
a cook who never asks whether the
company has come, but whether the
hour has come"
He was always courteous, however,
and we very much suspect that even
the late Corners had good hot dinner
set before them and we know that a
guest OF President Washington was
seldom late twice.
Bernard A. Fulmer, age IL.
Ottumwa, Iowa, Route 2.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Cleora Tells Of q Family
of Birds
Dear Juniors:

Dear Juniors:
! thought ! would write story.
Once upon time there was fam
lily Of birds.
The little bird said to the Mother
bird, ] am going to fly down without
you now No, you must not. | am,
am, he said
And he did it. And he said, | didn't
listen The old cat got him.
Cleora Sample. age 9.
l144 n. Moore ST., Ottumwa. Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
ANOTHER CONTEST.

We also want the Juniors who
think the other subjects are too hard
to write on one of the following sub
jects.
The Story Of a Nickel.
Ny Best Friend.
A Pet Dog.
Corn and Apples.
sweet Potatoes and Cotton.
A letter.
Select prizes from among the fol-
lowing: Box of candy, football, roller
skates. doll, knife or book.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNloR'

0EVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS.
/. Use one side of the paper only.
>. Write neatly and legibly, using
Ink or sharp lead pencil.
:. Always sign your name In full
and state your age.
1. Do not copy stories or poetry
erd send us as your own work.
4 6. 4 Number your pages.
6. Always state choice Of prize on
and address in full.
Z. Address envelope to The Courier
. separate piece of paper, with name
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Batavia, Iowa.
VlOLETS.

I lust ate six violets.
Cause they tasted good;
I hope they understood.
] hope they know
1t was because / love them so.
I've been wondering how
The taste gets in;
I've been wondering how
The smell gets out.
Mother says I've worn her out
Asking why and what it's all about;
She said I'd understand sometime
I'll be told when I'm enough old.
-Katharin Howard
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
ALL ABOUT PRIZES.

We do wish the Juniors would &C
Knowledge their prizes.
II any Junior has ever failed to re-.
-ceive prize after his or her name ap.
peared in this paper, it is because the
wrong address has been given US.
When we say wrong address we es.
pecially refer to incomplete addresses,
All city Juniors should put their
street number and all Juniors living
IN the country should put their box
number or falling to have a box send
In their parents names.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23

nized in the neighborhood himself. but
his plain little mate and all the year
old children were known and greeted
as members of his family.
AS for Eide. Gne Of her favorite
notices to this day is Help your
brother" but, being a wise young
lady, she keeps the fact a secret from
Ted.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
IDorothy Sample Goes to the
A. w. Stuart School v

Dear Juniors:
thought | would write.
am little girl years old. 30
to the A. w. Stuart school. My teach
ers name is Miss Williams.
! have one sister and one brothef.
Dorothy Sample, age I.
i144 N. Moore St. Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
Williams Letter to His
Father and Mother

Dear Mother and Father:
1t is cold. The wind is not blowing
A girl got little news.
Miss Wilacon went to town night
before last
It was dark and cloudy.
She fell.
love you. Gocd-by.
William.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
THE COURIER JUNIOR
DEPARTMENT
Hi Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.
OttumWa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA DEVEREAUx

THE WASHINGTON PRIZE WINNER
Dear Juniors: The prize winner IN
the Washington contest closing today
is Bernardo Fulner Of Route No. 2. All
the Juniors will agree with the judges
when they read Bernards story.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
ALMA LOST MEET
Directors Decide to Hold County Meet
in Breckenridge,

The annual Gratiot county field and
track meet will not be held III Alma
June LIST, az the directors Of the Ora
tiot County Athletic association had
once decided, as at meeting last Sat
urday it was voted TO take the meet
to Breckenridge this year.
Representative Kimball of the local
high school stood for the meet to come
to Alma but was outvoted by the
other directors. Breckenridge has
not a field that compare with the one
that can be used here and is not as
handy for the schools of the county as
Alma. II is thought that the i'll feel
ing between st. Louis and Alma high
schools is the prime move for taking
the meet TO Breckenridge.
The date for the meet is set for
Friday, June LIST.
If enlistments should happen TO
wreck the prospects of the teams Of
the different schools of the county, as
they have the Ithaca team, the meet
may not be held, it is rumored
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
". c. t. q. NOTES

Officers take pledge Under the
leadership Of their commanding Of
ficer, Col A. VI. Tuthill, many officers
of the First Arizona infantry signed
q pledge on March 2sth, to abstain
from alcoholic liquors during the pc
Rod Of their service to the United
States Colonel ruthill said he
thought il was an excellent idea for
the officers to set the men good ey-
ample.
Former governor, Frank b. Willis
Of Ohio. had about the same that when
he said, IN this crisis which confronts
the nation We need every ounce Of
our strength and our clearest judg-
ment 10 protect Us from foreign foes.
We want the nation prepared to win;
il can win more surely sober than
drunk"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
4 TOWN FOREST

The lieutenant governor of the
state, an officer of the state forestry
department, the chairman Of the town
planning committee and park board
and other distinguished people helped
the town OF Walpole. Massachusetts,
10 conduct a genuine community cele-
bration upon the occasion Of the
planting of the first acre of their
new town forest
One thousand boys and girls were
participants in the community demon
stration The children were marched
to the acre which had been carefully
ploughed, spaded and marked off into
twenty sections. A supervisor IN
charge of each section instructed the
children in the planting of the five
year white pine tI-ansplants. When
they were set out, stake was fixed
beside each tree, bearing the name OF
the child who planted it. Fifteen
acres Of white pine and red pine will
soon be forested. A tablet is 10 be
erected at the entrance of the forest
and u record will be kept Of the names
of the boys and girls who have taken
part in the planting.
Brookline and Sharon, Massachu-
sets, have community forest, and
other towns in New England are wax
ing up to the idea. Walpole is plan
ming Fairgrounds, "A swimming pool
and an amphitheatre for pageants
and choral singing in her town forest
tract. Such examples of civic pride
are an inspiration. In forty years
their community forests will be d
source of revenue TO these enterpris-
ing towns From The Peoples Home
journal.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12

Pearl Of the Army" is coming.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
ANOTHER FIRM
Mt. Pleasant Man Joins V. II. Shep-
ard in Real Estate Business

A. {. Grape of Mt Pleasant is NOV
ing to this city and has formed a
partnership with V. II. Shepard. local
real estate agent, under the firm name
Of Grape & Shepard.
The business of Mr.. Shepard has
grown TO such an extent that he has
found it difficult to handle it alone,
and hence a proposition was made TO
Mr.. Grape to join him. The new firm
will do general real estate bust
ness, besides handling a loan bust
ness and insurance. They will also
handle electrical goods. The office for
the time being will be located in the
Shepard residence on South Wood
worth avenue.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
NO MARRIED MEN
Married Men in National Guard Dis
charged from Duty.

All married men serving in the Ma
tional Guard will be discharged, fol-
lowing an order issued by Secretary
Baker of the war department, if they
have families dependent upon them,
The order will discharge these men
whether or not they wash to be dis
charged from the service
The order reads: Secretary of war
authorizes the discharge of all enlist
co men in the National Guard who
have families dependent upon them,
members of which would, while sol
dlers in the federal service be enlisted
to the benefits of the comforts pro-
vided by the act of congress approved
August %, 1916, whether they desire
to be discharged or not"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
NOTICE
Mr.. Alphonso +. Wood
Elwell, Michigan

Mr.. Alphonso + Wood.
Elwel, Michigan
Dear Sir:
am IN receipt Of your communica-
ton Of February oath in which you
request 10 be advised relative TO the
constitutionality of the statute re-
garding the destruction Of noxious
weeds.
Replying would state that this law
has not been passed upon by the su-
preme court OF this state relative 10
its constitutionality Will say, how
ever, that some of the circuit judges
throughout the state have held this
law unconstitutional. but so far as
an able 10 ascertain no appeal has
ever been taken from any Of the cir
cults. and until this law is passed up
Oh by the supreme court it will, Of
course. be held constitutional
Respectfully yours,
A. B. DOUGHERTY,
Deputy Attorney General
(S6-2t-cl
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
BOSTON WANTS YOU

Private Boston, local recruiting OF
ticer, is waiting in his Office in the
BARLEY block, for those young men,
who would seek TO serve their coun-
try.
Only one young man from Alma has
enlisted since the war was declared.
Is it possible that he will be the only
one in Alma to respond 10 his coun-
try's call for men. The nation wants
an army of million men. Boston
wonders if they will enlist voluntarily.
or wait until congress passes an act
for a draft.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12
ADVERTISED LETTERS

Advertised list for week ending
April 8, 1917:
Mr. Patric Causley.
Nh Walfred Fredrickson.
Mr.. Clarence Frundell
Mrs Mary Frusch.
Mr. Guy" Garwood
Mr. Leland Griffith
Mr. w. tombstone
Mr.. Will Kennedy
Mrs. Anna Foehn.
Mr.. John Maxwell.
David McGuadigan.
Mrs Hugh Sphinx.
Miss Lair Shaster.
Mrs. Edna Terry.
The above, if not called Tor, will be
sent to the Dead Letter office April
%. 1917.
V. P. CASH, Postmaster
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12

An cities Of 10000 population and
over will gather in large mass meet
ings on next Wednesday, April 18th,
to celebrate patriotic day. The slogan
is Wake up America"
The beautiful piece in sheet music,
as well as "A fine Victrola record may
be found at the up-to-date Victrola
store of the c. A. Sawkins Piano Com
pany, opposite Idlehour theatre.
tS6-it-c)
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12

best service of the government will
be taken up. Or. Crooks told the
Record reporter that il was the desire
TO make the maximum contribution,
but until the government has decided
what measures it will pursue in re-
gard To military training, the college
work and athletics will continue as
usual
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-12

They reach the people and they are
cheap. Our readers look for them
Alma Record want ada.