davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Strange Animals
of the World

The otter seems to be near-eou-
sin to the seal, although the denti-
ton is OF peculiar form. The
otter is distinguished by the breadth
and fairness of the head and the
rounded outline of the muzzle, the
lips being large and fleshy and fur
nished with whiskers, which are COM
municators of feeling; the ears very
small and set close to the head, and
the eyes, of moderate size, are pro-
vided with a nictitating membrane
as defense to their surface.
The otter's tail is an important
instrument, as it uses it in swini-
ming as rudder, enabling the ami
NAL to turn abruptly or to make
many swift maneuvers in chase of
its tinny prey. The beaver is like
the otter in this detail.
On land the otter is hampered in
its movements, as its limbs are
short and stout and the body long
and hattened; the toes on it's feet
are webbed instead of spreading
open, consequently the animal is
more at home in the water. The
fur is close and woolly and glossy,
making it most desirable for gar
ments of various styles.
The otter is not confined to any
one section of the globe. but may
be found in various countries. 1t
dwells in caverns or hollows near
the water, and seeks its prey mainly
at night. 1t is sly and a recluse
among animals and turks by, day in
deep burrows or in crevices OF
rocks.
Eight or 10 moderate sized fish
constitute a meal for the otter, but
it is a well-known fact that it kills
a much larger number of fish than
it can eat; therefore one can form
an idea of the slaughter the animal
performs. 1t is said that when fish
are scarce the otter will dare to
steal from farms. 1t y known that
sucking pigs, young lambs and
poulty have been killed and carried
away by the nocturnal robbers.
1t is mainly during the summer
months, when the otter has brood
of young to feed, that she kills
many more fish than she can use.
The track they leave in the soft
mud. as they trail their prey, is wit
ness to the extent Of their fishing
activities.
The otter is very intelligent, and
when caught young will become
readily tanned and companionable to
humans. 1t is taught to drive fish
into nets, to catch salmon and as
sist fishermen in many ways. In us
ing the otter to drive the shoals OF
fish into nets the animal is tethered
by a long rope to bamboo poles
driven in the mud near the waters
edge. i
Fish are afraid of the otter, and
will not spawn anywhere where the
slightest signs of an otter are to be
found. Thus an otter is a menace
to fisheries, and one should be
watchful that no such animal hovers
within the ken of the fish.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
SWEET CONTENT STORY
By EDITH HIXON.

Sweet Content, our rosebud fairy
waved her magic wand, saying:
Wand, made of moonbeam ray
Let me have this wish, | pray:
May | have wings gauzy and
bright +....@
To carry me through the sky to.
night" ~
Instantly beautiful gauzy wings
shot out from her shoulders. She
laughed happily and waved them
gently. Her feet fluttered from the
ground and she rose up like a gor-
geous butterfly, for the wings shad-
ed from bright rose color to palest
lavender.
"Now | can have some fun" she
thought, as she sailed over Flower
land village into the deep dark
woods. There the sunbeams were
playing hide and seek among the
trees and\ bushes, while the birds
chorused to each other with joyful
voices.
Light-as-a- Feather, a dainty fairy
dressed in canary-colored spider
web gown, was dancing merrily on
the messy bank which follows the
Singing Brook, when she saw our
fairy.
Come on and dance with me"
said Light-as-aFeat her, who knew
the many pitfalls for new fairies.
But Sweet Content was so delighted
with her new wings that she
flew off swiftly, leaving Light-as- "a
Feather. She dashed in among the
trees and bushes until she was al
most at Sally Sly's doorway. Then
something dreadful happened. She
was flying straight as an arrow for
the house and had shut her eyes;
she was so delighted with the new
feeling, so of course she didn't see
the cruel trap which Spiderspun had
set for nice fly dinner, and flew
right into it. OF course, her won
drous wings caught, and as she
struggled the cruel wires wound
round and round until she was
helpless. My, how she did scream
All Flowerland was dancing in the
fields below, and the fiddler crab
was playing SO loudly that they
never heard her, while the animal
folk in-the wood were off i'll the
hunting grounds, so no one was
about. Spiderspun was summing him
self close by the blue, smiling ocean
and was not a bit hungry Che had
just dined on big bluebottle. fly,
so there was no chance he would
visit his traps again that day. Sweet
Content was in despair.
Meanwhile, Light-as-a-F Feather
was already at Sally Sly's house.
Sally had promised to make the
wings, in fact she was working on
them. Light-as-a-Feather was wor-
ried about our fairy. She was hur-
rying Sally Sly, promising her two
golden earrings which would make
her the envy OF Spiderland if she
would finish them before she count
ed seven. My goodnessl but, won
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
NO ROOM FOR BLUES.

Open your mind to cheerful
thoughts
Till they fill each corner and nook,
And no room is left for those that
bring
The sigh and doleful look.
The mind is the brush that paints
the hour
And bright will the colors grow
If in the chalice held by time
Content its line doth flow;
But dark and drear the scene will
appear
If gloom fills up the cup;
Then fill your mind with buoyant
hope
And dry each teardrop UP.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
A No-Account Dog
Louella G.. Poole

I think we'd better send away
This dog of ours" said Farmer
Gray:
"He's really of no earthly use;
He brings in dirt and scatters looSe
Hairs on our clothes and furniture
Down, Zippo, down! Down sirl
Down, sirD-
He really isn't worth his keep;
He's certain sure no good tor sheep
No watchdog he, for not bark
He gives at footsteps in the dark.
He amt no earthly good nohow,
Though kind and gentle, I'll allow"
But wise old grandma shook her
= head:
Hes very good to love-" she said.
But Farmer Gray was obdurate;
The cost of living was so great
1t was decreed the dog should go,
And little did the farmer know
That he was planning thus to send
Forth from his home the truest
friend. &
"Oh, where is Willie? Where is hep
Cried everyone distractedly,
And searched in vain, below, upstair,
Then out the house they rushed to
where
o horrors!-their sweet threezyear-
old
His garments clutched in Zippo's
hold
Hung DER the we'll curb in such way
The curb bent with his body's sway,
And had not watchful Hippo been
On guard, he would have plunged
within.
Oh, oh, the praise the good dog had,
From everyone, all were so glad
That Baby Willie had been found
Without bruise, but safe and
sound! -.
well, Zippo," then said Farmer
Gray,
II calculate you'll have to stay"
Giving the dog kind caress,
Whose eyes were raised in
gratefulness.
And grandma stroked his rough,
brown head:
"Im sure you're worth our love-" .-
she said"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
The Wild Deer
Edith F. Moulton,

Over mountains / roam,
Through the forests / slip,
At the rivers | drink to my fiji.
Whether sunlight, or moonlight, I
wander full free,
Mine are moorland. and valley, and
hill.
A sudden, strange echo
A sharp. singing pain
All! Who is there to hear my wild
cry?
I am stumbling, I'm falling my
strengths ebbing fast,
There is nothing left now but to die.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
A VILLAGE THAT FLOATS

In the shadow of the huge Man
haitian bridge which connects New
York proper with Brooklyn, nestles
a veritable fishing village consisting
of nine two-story households moored
side by side so as to form solid
row and sheltering the fishermen
and their families, on whom New
York City is dependent for a good
part of its fish supply, says Popular
Science.
But unless you are familiar with
the .vagaries Of fish and the locaii-
ties in which they school in certain
seasons you need not go in search
of this village. Often it disappears
from a locality overnight, without
any farewells, reappearing as quiet
ly a few months latf.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

carried them over to where a tub
stood under faucet at one end OF
the machine. He opened the sacks.
They were full of sugar plums, but
such sad-looking ones. He poured
the plums into the tub, then turned
switch just above. The wheels
began to .whir and the engine to
hum. Making sure everything was
running right, he next poured sew
eral mixtures from large jars into a
funnel on top of the machine. Then
he sat back to wait for the result.
Presently a milk-white fluid began
trickfing from the faucet onto the
sugar plums. When they were well
covered he turned off the faucet.
Leaving the sugar plums to soak,
he decided to put the last finishing
touch on his invention. So, getting
some paint and a brush, he printed:
HI-COST-O'-L1VING REDUCER
Patented by S. Claus.
This done to suit him, he turned
to look at his sugar plums. They
seemed to be done, so he turned
valve that let off the liquid from the
tub, and then left the plums to
drain.
During lunch Santa was jollier
than usual and Dinah, having
scrubbed and scraped and soaked
all the candy from her hair and
skin, and put salve on her burns,
was waiting on him. She was sur-
prised at his feeling so light-heart-
ed and was glad that he did not
blame her. She would not admit
it to anyone else. but she knew she
was the cause OF this last trouble
OF Santa's and she decided that if
Taffytoe ever was found she would
never be harsh to him again. -.
After Lunch.
After his lunch, Santa walked out
through the shops, wondering how
the Gnomes we're acting with no
sugar plums. It was their noon
hour and they were gathered in lit
tie groups, eating with much grum-
bling. Some were waving their
arms and talking excited1y but he
could never hear what they had to
say for as soon as he came near
enough they would stop and pre-
tend to be very much interested in
their lunches.
AS he passed through one build
ing, he heard someone in the far
end, behind a large pile Of boxes.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
prize letter.
Winnie's Sacrifice.

South Fifty-tirst street, Oma
ha, Neb.
Winnie was a little girl IL years
old. Her mother had died five years
ago. Her father had just gone away
on business and would not be back
for three months. Jean, and her
husband, Jack, were staying with
Winnie at the time my story opens.
"Oh, that would be fun! cried
Winnie.
what. Winnie dear?" questioned
Jean.
Going out camping in the noun
tains. Don't you think it would be
great, Jack?" asked Winnie.
II most certainly dol" exclaimed
Jack. 1--WE could 60 out to Colo
RADIO.
Papa, before he went away, left
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

morning and went long ways to a
river.
In the morning we did not do
much because it was too cold.
In the afternoon about 4 o'clock
we went in the water. We were
having a good time. Three boys
came over to the place where we
were. We had some of our things
in the bath house. A rain coat. a
sweater and bicycle was outside.
One boy took the bicycle down
over the bank and hid it. They
picked up sweater and rain coat
and put it in a sack they had. They
ran and hid the sweater and coat by
some tracks. About o'clock that
night they returned the things.
We were all tired out and did not
have very good time.
I have read the stories every SUM-
day and wish to join the blue side.
I hope Mr.. Wastebasket has gong
hunting.
A Nice Letter.
By Georgia D. Nardgren, Aged 8.
Phillips. Neb.
My Dear Busy Bees: This will
be my second letter to you, Busy
Bees.
Now I will tell you what I have
done to help win the war. | have
bought war saving stamps for $50
and baby stamps for 81. | have two
uncles in the army and ! have three
cousin also. My uncles' names are
John and Dick. My letter is getting
long so goodby. Dear Busy Bees.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Little Stories by Little Folks

me $500 for my, vacation, Do you
think that will be enough"
"Why, yes, ] think So" And he
went on talking to Jean. Winnie's
face took on an unusual thoughtful
look. Then suddenly she burst out
with Jack, Pm not going to the
mountains this year!"
"Why not, WINNER" Jean and
Jack asked together.
"Ive been a selfish little girl! I've
gone on vacations every summer
and had ice cream and candy when
ever | wanted it! In France our
boys are dying just because I'm fail
ing to do my part! Pm going to the
drug store now and get some thrift
stamps"
After she had gone, Jack and Jean
nodded their heads knowingly.
When Winnie's father returned he
said it was fine. He had wished she
would do it. Winnie is now saving
every penny. She is also urging her
friends to do the same. You cannot
give your life. but you can give your
money.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Honorable Mentlon.)

Honorable Mention.)
The Hike.
BY Berdean Henderson, Aged II,
Box $40, Norfolk, Neb.
Dear Busy Bees: This is my first
letter. l am going to tell you about
our Sunday school class hike.
The first Friday before school
started we had hike.
We started about 7 o'clock in the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15

The records Of the Bureau Of City Prop
erty show that the art jury was notified
that the mice had been at work on or
about November Is. But for at least three
weeks after that date not single member
of the jury had gone to Independence Hall
20 inspect the damage. The first action
taken was two weeks after the bureau
wrote to the jury. Joseph f. Widener,
chairman Of the art jury, sent for Chief
John K. Arthur Of the Bureau Of City
Property, and directed him to have Fa-
rina proceed on RESERVATIONS that have been
in controversy. Most Of the damaged
Peale portraits are included in Farinas
contract. Farna, however, contends that
the time has come for "showdown," and
has put his case into the hands Of law
yer. He asserts that he has been sub
jected to indignities and arbitrary and i'm
possible instructions by members of the
jury, who know nothing Of the art OF
restoration, and that the public ought to
know about it.
The men under attack have sought to de-
fend themselves by the argument that the
root Of the whole controversy is q question
Of artistic opinion. They have intimated
that members Of the art jury do not be-
lieve Farina capable Of restoring portraits
properly, although he was for nearly four
teen years in virtual charge Of the John
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15
ND Masters
~ Out of Sight

In the meantime, however, the public IS
denied a view of the paintings, which are
publicly owned, and they have been put
into storage warehouse. This, of course,
was better than leaving them in the John
son house, where the walls of the bath
room were adorned with Corots and
100000 worth Of other old masters were
stacked up on the back stairway. The cry
has been raised that the valuation of about
$4,500,00O placed OH the collection is too
high, and that the city is therefore paying
COO much in taxes on the paintings. But
Mr.. Widener, who ought to know, insists
that the valuation is really moderate. Il
has been said that the chief value Of the
collection lay in the fact that it provides
o consecutive history Of art, covering all
schools. Mr.. Widener, however, declares
that the paintings separated and in the
hands of dealers could be sold for more
than 100000.
Mr.. Widener also denies the charges made
about the handling of the Wilstach col
lection. 1t has been asserted that the
100000 Whistler PORTRAIT of Woman"
has been damaged By some cleaning process;
that the canvas shows through the cheek
Similar charges are made as to Mllets
twilight" and various other valuable
iteris in the collection. Mr.. Morris. how
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15
Ceveral Kinds of
~ Restorative Needed

In due time the interior restoration OF
the two buildings was completed, under
the direction of the Philadelphia Chapter,
American Institute of Architects. But for
some reason that has not yet been cx-
planned the art jury failed to rehang the
portraits, with the exception of half dozen
that had been restored An effort is being
made now to blame the delay on con-
troversy between the art Jury and Pasquale
Farina, restorer Of paintings, who has g
contract with the city for the restoration
Of about twenty portraits in the indie
pendence Hall collection. But this does
not explain why the art Jury took ac-
ton with respect to other paintings in the
collection, numbering nearly 100, all Of
which are in need of some attention.
Farna started the present sQuabbe by
announcing that the art jury had been
negligent and that the whole collection is
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15

G. johnson collection and has done some
remarkable work on the Wilstach colec-
ton. Local pride has been wounded by
the more or less open suggestion that tho
only place to get paintings restored is in
New York, but the facts so far brought to
light provide fairly good evidence that this
is only an attempted camouAage by those
who have been under fire.
These facts are that the art jury and the
Park Commission, intoxicated by the almost
arbitrary power given them by law or prece-
dent, have been seeking more power. More
and more in the last few years they have
become star chamber organizations that do
things to public collections and tell about
them aftcrward.
bare announcement was made last
spring that the Wilstach collection was to
be rearranged under Widener's direction.
But nothing was said about the plan to
purge the collection Of certain paintings
that Widener does not like. 1t has still to
be explained whether these originals
or the numerous fakes that have been IN
loaded on the Wlstach fund by various
Philadelphia collectors, who took this
method, it is said, of recovering after being
"stung.''
When Widener did finally agree to talk
he announced that he had ordered the re-
hanging of all paintings in the Indepen-
dence Hall collection that would be safer
on the walls. There was no qualification
to this announcement. But when Andrew
Wright Crawford secretary of the art
jury got through translating it the order
provided that the paintings were to be hung
on the walls Of the room where they have
been stored for three years, on a plat
form to keep them off the floor. And not
a word was said about opening the collec-
ton to the public Presumably, in
its own good time, the art jury will look
into the collection, take a year or two for
restoration and then perhaps reopen the
National Gallery at independence Hall.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15

in danger Of destruction. Ten portraits, all
by Charles Wilson peale, have been
gnawed by mice. All the damage is to
the corners, and in no instance is it ir-
reparable. Pigment and canvas have been
nibbled away in most instances, however,
calling for careful rebuilding. According to
Farina and others who have looked into the
unsavosy record Of political control at In
dependence Hall, the mice were attracted
by flour paste that was used for refining
many of the portraits about thirty-five
years ago. 1t 10 said that this agent also
was used in filling cracks, but If so the
paintings SO restored" have escaped, SO
far the attention of the mice. In addl-
ton to this direct damage, however, it is
now charged, and admitted by the Bureau
of City Property, that many of the other
paintings are in bad condition. In some
instances the paint is cracked and Taking
and is so loose and brittle that the slightest
jar to the frame loosens fragments OF
the pigment
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15
Dainted From Life
a And Irreplaceable

General Richard Montgomery" hero Of
Louisburg killed in the assault on Quebec
"Chevalier de Ia Lauzerne," a French
soldier in the American Revolution.
Robert Fulton" the inventor.
Colonel Thomas Forrest an artillery
officer in the Revolution
Count de Volney," French soldier,
philosopher and traveller, friend Of Wash
ington and Franklin.
General Benjamin Lincoln q New Eng
land soldier in the Revolution.
The city owns another and better paint
ing of Forrest by Peale but the others, all
painted from life, are irreplaceable. Opin-
ion is divided as to the artistic value Of
the collection. But there can be no ques-
ton of the statement that it is the only
collection Of the work Of early American
artists, and that as such it is complete.
Painters whose works are included in it, in
addition to Charles Wilson Peale, are his
son, Rembrandt Peale; his brother, James
Peale; Thomas Sully, Bass Otis. Robert
Edge Pine and Gilbert Stuart.
Mr.. Widener's explanation of what mas
been done with the Johnson collection and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15

plans for it's future is generally satisfying.
In his will Mr.. Johnson provided that his
former home, at $40 South Broad Street,
was to be maintained as permanent nu-
scum for his paintings, STIMULATING that
they might be removed only if at any time
it became "injudicious" TO keep the col
lection there any longer. It was found
that it would cost 100000 to add n wing
to the building and make it semi-fireproof.
Even then there would not be room enough
for the exhibit of the entire collection.
Accordingly, the executors Of the Johnson
estate and his former law partners have
agreed to join Mr.. Wldener in an appeal
to the courts for an Interpretation Of the
"injudicious" clause permitting the removal
Of the collection to a museum. Plans
have already been drawn for this If the
project is carried through there will be
built on the parkway exquisite structure
just big enough for the Johnson collec-
ton, which will stand as a permanent
memorial to the great lawyer.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-15

whether in the garb Of civilian or in khaki,
made some inquiry about the missing por-
traits Most Of them had seen reproduc-
tons Of the originals in the hall collec-
ton and knew what they wanted 90 see.
The point is raised by such men as Har-
rison s. Morris, former director of the
Pennsylvania Academy Of Fine Arts,
that these portraits of historic figures
might have provided some patriotic ipspira-
ton for the citizens and the soldiers who
passed through the hall in the last three
years But they didn't, because they were
in storage, for no reason far made
public.
The list of Peale portraits damaged by
mice is as follows:
Thomas McKean," a signer Of the
Declaration from Pennsylvania and an early
Governor Of the state.
General Henry Dearborn" 4 Revolu-
tionary physician and soldier; Secretary of
War under Jefferson and later Minister to
Portugal.
"Bishop William White" the first Ameri
can bishop, rector of old Christ Church
and chaplain Of the Continental Congress-
alexander Hamilton" first Secretary Of
the Treasury, etc.