davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
STORIES WRITTEN BY WIDE AWAKES.
The Cleaners.

At one time, some years ago, there was very little work and many poor people had not even enough bread to eat. To help them a kind man of- fered to give loaf of bread to every one who asked for it.
 A great many went for the bread and each one seemed to try to get the largest loaf, All except one little girl, who waited till the others were helped. Then she took what was of fered to her, said Thank you!" and went off happy.
 This happened more than once, and the man who gave away the bread saw how modest the child was.
 One day, when the girls mother broke the loaf to give it to her hun gry little ones, out tun1bled four or five dollars. The good woman was surprised.
 These are not ours" she said. Take them back to him who gave you the loaf"
 The child did as she was told.
 The dollars are for you, my dear" |" said the man. q have watched you from day to day. While you needed the bread as much as anyone you waited till the others were helped These dollars are your reward. Give them to your mother The mother of such a child is good woman, I am sure"
 GERALDINE GAREAU, Age 12.
 Southbridge, Mass.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
A Gift to the Red crosa

For many years it has been the GUS tom at Cony High school for the freshman class to give to the school some costly present, generally a piece of statuary, at the end of the school year.
 This year about a month before school closed, the principal sent word to all of the freshmen to meet in the assembly hall.
 Each freshman is supposed to give fifty cents toward the present.
 MT. Cobb then expressed a wish that instead of making q present of statuary that year, why not raise as much money as possible and give it to the Red Cross, instead.
 Everyone seemed much pleased with the idea. so it was then planned that instead of giving some ornamental present to the school we would give to the Red Cross.
 Freshman presentation is always held Monday evening at o'clock, on June IS.
 One of the teachers wrote out a short programme. There were only six that took part
 We formed in one of the rooms downstairs
 At 8 o'clock we marched up to the assembly hall and around the room twice. We then took our seats.
 MT. Cobb and Mir Stuart were both seated on the platform. They both spoke
 Four of the freshmen read essays There was a violin solo by one of the girls. One girl played a piece on the piano.
 We ended by singing The Star Spangled Banner.
 ARLENE PEARL, Age 14.
 Augusta, Me.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
My immigration to America.

On account of the French Repolu- tion, l decided to embark to America, where could be a free man and not have to bear persecution.
 After being on the seas for many days, the thrilling cry of "Land," was given from the watch of the vessel. None but those who have been there before can form an idea of the de- licious throngs Of feelings that rush into Frenchman's bosom when he comes in sight of New York. It is the land of Freedom in which everyone has his own rights, and France and America have long been friendly countries.
 From this time forth he is in fever ish excitement One great thing that impresses an immigrant is the gigan- tic Statue of Liberty which is the sign of Peace and Freedom to all new corners.
 noticed the ships of war that prowled about guarding the coast against any kind of foe.
 Our voyage was not over yet, for our next stop was at Ellis Island, where our eyes must be tested and our whole body examined before we were allowed to depart to the homes of our rela- tives.
 AS l was standing on the deck of the steamer waiting to land I caught sight of man who thought himself the most important of the crowd. I judged so by noticing his calculating brow and restless air. His hands were thrust into his pockets and he was whistling and walking to and fro He was one of the owners of the ship,
 All at once woman stepped out of the crowd. She was of humble dress and looked sad and disappointed, for she could not find her friend. Sudden " heard faint voice call her by name. It was from a poor sailor wbo had been i'll all of the voyage, and ba6
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
One Little Part

 I pray for sweet peace that the hor- TOTS of war May pass from our beautiful world, That no more we may hear the can mons loud roar, That the banner of peace be un- furled But I have no courage nor wisdom nor skill
 The thoughts of great nations to sway, While treading the pathway up life's weary hill, For the mighty I only can pray. While I have no wisdom nor wealth l can give, 4 few earnest words l can speak For the innocent creatures around me Gods little ones humble and meek The little wild dwellers in woodland and grove, So harmless. so merry and gay, Q. leave them in peace through their green haunts to rove, Nor darken their brief happy day. I speak for our friends on the hot dusty street Who toll the long weary day through. And often with harshness and negli- gence meet Dumb, helpless, yet faithful and true Glad if may help them less suffering 10 know
 Ere they sleep meath the green grassy sod. And their souls-if they have souls, I think that they do Are at rest in the blessing of God e
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
FRENCH CHILDREN

T sometimes boast of my memories" said Uncle Sam. for I was quite a
 lad when the Civil war began. but they don't amount to much compared 1 with those the boys and girls of France will carry throughout their | lives.
 Suppose while you were working away as usual in the old school room a whistle were to sound-a siren, so that there might be no mistake about you hearing it. And suppose you and all the other boys and girls started | for safety the instant you heard it, | rushing pellInell into the cellar. Sup pose big shell were to fali, demol- ishing five or six houses and damag- l ing as many more and covering the schoolyard with splinters These shells would come every fifteen min- <, utes and you would stay in the dark till the bombardment was over. but you would be worrying over your mothers, and big sisters who were working in the open (the fathers and big brothers are all away at the bat tie front). Even the children of France have to carry burdens nowa- days"
 There was an expression on Oscar S face that led Uncle Sam to continue
 NO doubt you think there would be
 some first rate excitement in that
 situation, but suppose you were to
 go home after it was over and find
 your home gone.'
 Yes indeed, that happens" said
 Janet. T read the other day a story
 that lady who had visited France told here in Chicago. She said that l twenty of the refugees who had been brought to Paris were asked one day in school to make pictures of a home
 When the drawings were handed in fl } was found that seventeen of the chil- dren had drawn a house in flames A
 house burning up was what seemed
 most natural to them. poor things! Jimmie looked rather sober. "Car . we do anything%' he asked Yes, indeed" replied Uncle Sam There is an American society tha collects funds and forwards them tt a committee in Paris that works un. der the direction of the French gov ernment, to feed and clothe thes' destitute boys and girls. It costs onl, ] s d month to feed one of these chil : dren-10 cents a day, and one ma,
 have the name of the child for whom I his money is used and receive letter 6 from him or his mother. frienC of mine has a picture of the child h is helping.
 e "Oh, Uncle Sam," cried Janet. d
 adopt one Of those orphansi We'll al e chip iii to pay every month Ask tn e committee to select a girl and let m g | correspond with her in Franch. S could 10 ever so many things to pleas e her. We would be friends. and I shoul d learn to read and write French bette q -nnadamoiselle will help. Please dt : Uncle Sam!"
 l Well, maybe I will. I shall have t $ consult Mrs. Walter Brewster of Lak
 Forest and learn to get into the gamt S guess that among us we can rais y ten cents day for Janet's orphan
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
UNCLE JED's TALK TO WIDE
 AWAKES.

Uncle Jed had a bouquet of roses sent to him and noticed upon the leaves a cluster of eggs which he rec ognized as the eggs of an insect. They looked like white enamel beads with black enamel spot in the center as round as round could be and under a magnifying glass each one seemed to be a perfect gem. He did not throw the leaf away but threw it into a large bottle to see what would come from them
 In ten days or so there was a col ony of jet black caterpillars. Then he put wet sand in a jar, covered it with paper, stuck in a sproy of rose leaves and watched the little fellows feed and grow for weeks. They cast of their black dress and wore a brown one; then they wore a green one all covered with black pointed stinging hairs; and then they had white and reddish-purple lines running the whole length of their body and Uncle Jed knew they were Emperor moths, the book name or which is Saturnio To.
 These are handsome creatures that fly by night and lay eggs upon the wild cherry and other plants in late May and June. They keep together in their early days having the social habit, but disperse later adopting the solitary habit or habit of feeding alone
 Trs beautiful eyed, brown and vel low moths with velvet wings spin a very thin, sirken cocoon upon the ground and cover it with litter which makes 1t look like the earth itself and
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
LETTERS TO UNCLE JED.
A Picnic in the Woods.

Dear Uncle Jed: One fine summer morning Bess, Rob and Louis started out to spend the day in the woods, taking old Jacob along to protect them from harm.
 To Bess, who had never been in the woods before, they were a wonderland and a fairy tale all in one. Through the lacelike network of leaves the sun sent it's golden shafts of light.
 The scarlet berries, the feathery ferns, the soft green moss, the purple sea of foxglove, natures harmony of light and color made the spot most beautiful.
 All the morning they roamed about, Bess finding new treasures on every hand.
 At length they began to feel hun gry, so Jacob and Rob gathered the firewood, Louis built the fire while Bess filled the kettle and set it on to boil Then she spread the tablecloth on the messy ground and placed upon it dainties mother had prepared for them. What good things there were in the baskets
 The bakey white biscuits spread with golden butter, the delicious cakes and cookies which tasted so good to the children that they ate every crumb. Then as a surprise there was the pail of sweet wild strawberries that kind old Jacob had picked for them.
 After finishing their dinner they found favorite seats on the gnarled roots of old trees and sat down to plan now they should spend the afternoon.
 They decided to gather some lovely wild flowers and make bouquets for their dear mother. This was mother s birthday and she was to take tea in the club room in honor of the event. The children picked many beautiful bouquets and tied them up with bright colored ribbons.
 They then departed for home, hay l ing spent most delightful day in the woods.
 HELEN E. FRINK, Age 14.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
THE WINNERS OF PRIZES.

1-GeraIdine Gareau of Southbridge, Mass.-The Blue Grass Seminary Girls
 2-Arlene Pearl of Augusta, Me- Phil Bradleys Winning Way.
 a-catherine c. Lawton of Warren ville-The Broncho Rider Boys.
 +Miriam ShershevsEy of Norwich A Thrift stamp.
 5-Horace Peekham of Lebanon The Boy Chums in Florida
 6-WaIter V. Gaviean of Willimantic The Boy Scouts in Maine Woods.
 7-Helen E. Frink of Norwich When a Mans a Man.
 S-Rose Weiner of Norwich-The Red Cross Girls With the Russian Army
 Prize winners living in the city may call at The Bulletin business office for them at any hour after 10 a. m. on Thursday,
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
A Birthday Gift of a Work Basket,

am a rosewood workbasket with three trays containing two balls Of tape, four spools of thread, one thim- ble, and one pair of scissors. My lin ing is made of lowered silk I once lay in a shop with other baskets. A lady came in and bought me. l was then sent to poor girl as a birth day gift.
 Words cannot tell how pleased she was. She at once began to plan what to do with me At last she thought of plan to make her mother a dress. So she made a dress of gray calico, trimmed with lace, and caught at the throat with bits of gray ribbon which she had saved.
 Her mother was so pleased with her new dress that she bought Ter little girl a new coat and had her ini- tials engraved on the basket She also bought some cloth. lace and ribbon, and the girl is now planning to make as many clothes as the family needs, and so tighten her mothers work.
 CAROLINE c. LAWTON, Age B.
 Warrenville, Conn
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
Benefit for the Red Cross.

Dear Uncle Jed: I am going to tell you about the play we had for the benefit of the Red Cross. It was held Sunday, July 14th, 1918, at ? p. m.
 We had six girls and one boy for actors. They were Hannah CurlanG. Eva, Rose and Morris Mogel. Mary Blumenthal and Rose Weiner.
 The first thing on the program was A Real Patriot, by Eva Mogel, Morris Mogel and Rose Weiner.
 2. There's a Service Flag Flying at Our House, by Rose Weiner.
 3. Henry. My Son, by Hannah Cur land and Rose Weiner.
 4. A Spanish Waltz, by Rose Weiner
 5. Just Break the News to Mother, by Hannah Curland and Rose Weiner. 6. The Naughty Nurse, by Hannah Curland, Rose Mogel and Rose Weiner '. Joan of Arc by Hannah Curland and Rose Mogel.
 8. The Glow Worm, by Rose Wei ner.
 g. The Marseiliaise, by Eva Mogel, Rose Mogel and Hannah Curland.
 10. The Sabbath Play by all.
 H. Poor Butterfly, by Hannah Cur land and Rose Weiner.
 F. The Red Cross, by Mary Blu menthal mad Eva Mogel. At the end of this act Rose Weiner went around collecting money in a soldiers hat and earned s0.31.
 IS. The Honeybees, by Rose Weiner. 14. Just a Baby's Prayer at Twi- light, by Hannah Curland and Rose Weiner.
 15. The Handkerchief Dance, by Rose WeiIier. 16. Liberty Bell, Keep the Home Fires Burning, The Star Spangled Banner, and My Country lis of Thee, were sung by the audience and actors. I had the play in my yard: I had a tent put up and decorated it with American flags. We earned s4.52. We brought the money to the Red Cross the next day They thanked us for it and put piece about it in the paper
 ROSE WIENER ioh
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
EVERGREEN INN.
By Louise M. Haynes.

Quick! Ned! Get up and look out the window. The snow has drifted in the night so much it must be ten feet deep out therel" and Henry hop ped about excitedly
 Ned leaped out of bed and ran to the window.
 Let's dig tunnel this morning to "Hooray!''
 Both boys dressed as quickly as possible and were soon through their breakfast and ready to go out in the snow.
 we can start down the path shovel ed and begin to tunnel where the drift is so high" Henry said.
 The boys worked fast as the snow was light. and the tunnel progressed rapidly.
 ''What would become of us if 1t caved in?" Ned asked.
 Tn don't believe we would have a very hard time to dig ourselves to the top, because you see the snow is not heavy" Henry answered. Suddenly a light came into the tun- mel at the end where they were dig ging,. and through the opening they saw the loveliest little evergreen room formed by the dropping branches of the SpfuCe-Lfee.
 "What a grand playhouse. Henry! We'll have this tunnel for our private entrance, and nobody else can come in Just look at the birds hidden in the | branches from the storn-all kinds Both boys peered excitedly through the opening in the end of the tunnel at the birds.
 T don't see what they can find tc eat," said Ned. Let's go into the house and get them some food, they must be nearly starving by this time. The children ran to the house ant called to their mother, asking if shs could give them anything for tht cold, hungry birds.
 My teacher says beef suet is fin, for them in winter" Henry suggest ed, and chickadees like nuts and sunfiower seeds"
 "The boys hurried back through tn tunnel with their hands full of food Clearing away the small amount o snow there was under the evergreen boughs, they scattered the seed ant nut meats on the ground. Then the, tied the suet on the branches ant crept back into their tunnel, wher they could see all that happened. I'm mediately the ground was covere with chickadees and other seed-eat ing birds, while woodpeckers, nut hatches and others, were feasting O the suet ravenously There was quit chirping after they had eaten a fe1 minutes, as though the birds were do ing their best to thank the kind littl
 boys for their thoughtfulness. Ned and Henry kept food under tn spruce tree all winter, and called tn snug shelter made by droopin
 branches, Evergreen Inn" The bird
 soon grew so tame that they let tn boys come into the little enclosure an
 would perch on their heads an
 shoulders in the most friendly man
 ner Henry, who was a very goo' whistler, learned to initiate their note
 and they would answer him.
 Both boys enjoyed their bird friend and Evergreen Inn so much that the
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10

ed ''Home. Sweet Honae,'' best of all.
 One bright morning the signal rang, every one was expected to be in line ready to go to fight the Germans. Lincoln hated this, but he would do all he could to help win this great war.
 Soon they were near No Mans Land ready to fight. If you were there you could see almost two or three soldiers fall wounded. Lincoln soon dropped wounded. He laid there two or three days suffering and no one came to help him. The fourth day the ambu- lance came to the spot where Lincoln lay almost dying. Had he laid there one hour longer he would have been dead.
 He was rushed to the hospital as soon as possible. His arm was band aged up and he lay in the hospital until he was better. Now he is on the battlefield again fighting for his beloved country Some day Lincoln expects to be home telling about his glorious time in fighting for his country. He may be able to say, '1 was one of the many men who helped to capture the kais- el"
 MIRIAM SHEVESHEVSKY, Age 10. Norwich.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
THE WIDE-AWAKE CIRCLE
Boys and Girls Department

it is very difficult to find beneath the lower stone of a wall or in the scat tered leaves.
 This moth seems to be the connect ing link between the moths which burTow in the ground and the great moths which spin thick siIken CO., coons for their protection upon the branches. It climbs like the rest to feed but when it seeks winter guar ters it grovels on the earth and finds shelter in it's half-clad condition by heavy covering of leaves.
 This is the way Wide-Awaloes may learn what tiny objects are which they come across in the garden.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
POETRY.
A New "An1eriea.

 A young Hungarian n-AIneTican, Rob ert Loveman, has written a beautiful poem laudatory of his adopted coun- try which carries an exceedingly strong appeal to our patriotism. "The fairest land, the rarest land, The land we love the best, Is our own land that staunch doth
 stand
 A tower in the west: An ocean wide on either side, The gulf beneath her feet, The very name America Doth make our pulses beat. The sweetest land, the heetest land, The land where freedom dwells, Is our own land of mountains And clover-covered dells; One joyous vast republic, God! How we cherish her, The very name America Doth make our bosOmS stir. America America
 o may we die for thee. Proclainning unto all the earth Our love of liberty; America. America,
 Our banner is unfurled, The paean of democracy Shall ring about the world"
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10

bury have contributed by means of food sales and cash donations the sum of $444.99 toward the food for France fund.
 RidgefeId-Rev John NJ Deyo oi Ridgefeld has accepted a call to be- come pastor of the First Congrega- tional church of Danbury, to succeed Rev. Joseph Hooker Twichell, former ly of Hartford. now chaplain with the American army in France.
 sristoT.-An opportunity is afforded Bristol school teachers who are taking an enforced vacation to render dis tinct, helpful and patriotic service by going into some. of the factories while schools are closed. They are needed, and the places are awaiting them at good pay.
 Hartford.-Mr and Mrs Henry J. Spies of Montclair, N J., announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Helen Spies, to Lieut.. Charles H. Redfield, son of Mr and Mrs Edward D. Redfield of Hartford. Lieutenant Redfield has served in the ambulance corps in France and returned to this country last year to resume his studies a Yale university.
 Watertown.-At the recent republi- | can caucus NJ E. Brahen, present in cumbent, was endorsed as first select
 man for the coming year. MT. Brahen | had already been renoninated by the l democratic party. This is probably the first time in the history of Water 1 town that the office of first selectman was not a bone of contention between 1 the two partits MT. Brahen has held
 the office for the past five years.
 PortIand.-A hawser weighing over 5000 pounds, 19 inches in circumfer-
 ence and 1,200 feet long was unloaded 1 by the New York boat at the Middle | town landing the other morning. Ii 1 came from Kingston, where it was used
 for launching one of the big new boats on the Hudson. Its mate arrived by the boat the following day and they
 were used in launching the big boat just finished at the GiIdersleeve yard at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
LETTERS OF AckNowEpeMENr

Grace Mahoney, of Colchester: Thank you very much for the thrift stamp I received. was surprised when got it.
 Mary Peieehatz, of Willimantc: Many thanks for my prize book, The Navy Boys at the Siege of Havana. l think it is very interesting.
 Helen E. Frink, of Norwich: think you very much for the thrift stamp you awarded me. I will try to win more in the future.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
A Brave Soldier.

There was once a man nicely built, just fit to pass the examinations for war. The mans name was Lincoln Spear; and in a few months he was called to the colors. First he was sent to Camp Devens, for a few months of good training, and then he was sent to France. He did not like there, he lik-
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10

few nights ago and stole $50 in money, of which at least 80 belonged to the Junior Red Cross.
 MiddIehury.-Between Oct. 1, 1917, and Oct. 1, 1918, the people of Middle
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
Rules for Young Writers.

1. Write plainly on one side of the paper only, and number the pages. 2. Use pen and ink, not pencil.
 B. Short and pointed articles will be given preference. Do not use over 250 words.
 4. Original stories or letters only will be used.
 D. Write your name, age and ad- dress plainly at the bottom of the story.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
BRIEF STATE NEWS

New Britain.-The number of hunt ers' licenses issued at the town clerks office to date this year is 257 as against APO a year ago.
 Deep River-Some mean thief broke into the grammar school building a
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10
WIDE-AWAKE STORIES

felt sorry to see the snow melt and to have the birds leave the. old spruce tree for the open woods; but they are looking forward to seeing them re- turn when the snow is deep again.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-10

The girl who looks forward to matrimonial alliance should not ba forward looking.