davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Vera McElroy- School Com
positiOn-The War.

Dear Juniors:
AS have never written to the Junior
before thought I would send my
school composition about the war.
When the war mothers met at the
assembly room in the public librar vat
Washington, D. G. they saw picture
Of the kaiser laying on the table. 1t had
been placed there by Joker. The war
mothers said they would burn the
1oker's ears and the kaiser's also.
The amusements for tho soldiers are
out door music, running races, reading.
smoking, playing certain games such az
tennis, foot ball, base ball and many
other sports.
The Y. NJ. c. A. authorities are trying
to end some new amusements for the
Camp Dodge boys.
To win the war we must be saving,
observe meatless and wheatless days,
buy Liberty Bonds, War Savings
Stamps and Thrift Stamps.
1 60 to the Reed school. I am In the
fourth grade MY teachers name is
Miss Gay. like her fine. Well, as my
letter is getting long will close.
Vera McElroy, age 9,
Eddyville, Ia, r. 8.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Mildred Lucille Hamilton
The Adventures of aTalk.
ing Machine.

After was manufactured II wa
then taken to q furniture store where
l was for about three weeks. Ono day
as ! was playing America, for MI.
Rocker, bride and groom came, IN
and bought some furniture for their
new home. Among their purchases
was chosen. was taken to their
bungalow where spent many happy
evening playing and enjoying It Is
puch as my friends did because I ike
to hear myself play One day my
owner decided to go south.
was sold to Z druggist, but was
not treated very nice for he had six
children and when they got angry they
would take their spite out on mo By
kicking me. One day their father was
killed.
was then sold to two old maids.
Here ! spent happy time playing for
the old bachelors who came to Sc
the old maids. One day as was play
ing Long Boy heard Mr.. Folding
Bed and Mr.. Davenport say they won
dered where they would 90 when the
maids went west. wondered what
they meant but did not have to walt
long to SEQ what was going to happen.
The next day I was taken to bear.
full house which seemed like faif1land
to me, but afterwards learned It was
q palace. am 8ti1l living In this pax,
ace but am 80 old now that I can
hardly play.
Mildred Lucille Hamilton, Age II.
Lock Box 10. Milton, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Stella Tuttle-How We Can
Help Win the War.

Dear Junior:
As I have not written for some time
thought I would write about how
we can help win the war.
If we expect to win this war we
must help ourselves and not let the
soldiers do It all. We must save food
and cloth. Our soldiers must have
clothes as we'll as food.
Everybody who can should buy war
savings stamps, thrift stamps and
Liberty Bonds.
We should plant large war garden
and eat vegetables SO as to save wheat
and meat. We should all observe
wheatless and meatless days.
II we do not try to save and raise
all we can, what would our soldiers
over In France do? What could they
do? They can not fight without food
and clothes, SO think it Is our duty to
do our bit.
Stella Tuttle, Ago TO-
Routes. Charlton, BoWA
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Melba Bevans-The Soldier
Boy In France.

Dear Juniors:
am going to write about the soldier
boys in France.
The soldier boys in France are do
ing their bit to win the war by fight
ing. We should do our bit by buying
Liberty Bonds, thrift stamps and war
savings stamps and we will be glad If
we lick the kaiser. We should give
money to the Red Cross and Y. M. C.
A. for our soldier boys over there. We
ought to be glad that our soldier boys
have good beds to sleep In, good food
to eat and good fire to keep warm
by.
We should be saving and do all we
can to win the war and help our SOL
der boys.
There are many and many of OUR
soldier boys dying every day and many
are suffering in the hospitals with
broken arms and legs and some have
no hands or legs.
It would be an awful sight to see
those boys who are dying on the battle
field and have died for their country
and for Old Glory. We should never
go against Old Glory but should fight
for her till the last.
Every child should save their money
for thrift stamps instead of buying
candy, chewing gum and cracker jack.
The Red Cross is doing all 1t can to
help the soldier boys over there and
save Old Glory. Every child can do
their bit by making little bit of gar
den for the food saving administra.
ton.
Melba Bevans, Age IL.
BATAVIA iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Nonsense Verses

A bright boy. years old, has an
uncle who teaches him nonsense
verses" not unlike those with which
the late Edward Lear used to amuse
English children. The nephew went
to Sunday school; and not long ago
his teacher was telling the class about
the busy bees, and asked II any OF the
children could tell her anything con-
corning them.
waldo can" spoke up a little fel-
low.
well, Waldo, you may stand in
front and tell US what you know" And
Waldo. rising proudly, steamed away
with these lines:
''How doth the little busy bee
Delight to bark and bite,
To gather honey all the day,
And eat it up 1t night"
Trying to suppress a smile, the
teacher asked, Did your mother teach
you that?"
mo, my uncle Arthur did, Sc
lected.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Martha May Box What W.
Are Doing for the Soldiers

What We are doing for the SOLDIER !:
Daddy bought . Liberty Bo2d 10
that no could help wallop the kaiser.
My Uncle George is in the trenches
In France, fighting for our nag and
doing bis bit for our country.
Papa Joined the Red Gross, too, and
my brother Kenneth and have Joined
the Junior Red Cross to do what No
can to help OUT soldier boys win the
war.
Kennsth and are going to. buy;
some thrift stamps. Grandma gave
Kenneth bank for Christmas and he
has 1t full and some pennies besides
to buy thrift stamps with.
Daddy got his Liberty Bond to show.
our boys in khaki that We stand back
Of them to help save the name Of Old
Glory. ,,5
Martha May Box, Age 8. a
Route 1. Agency, Iowa,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
POLLY AND DOROTHY

"Squawk! squawk! squawk! cried
Polly, beating his wings against the
bars OF his cage, and making such a
racket that Dorothy put her hands
over her ears and ran out Of the room
81 don't think he's big nice bird"
she told Aunt Hannah. I'm glad my
dear little Dickie isn't parrot. Can
aries are ever so much nicer; don't
you think sol"
"Oh, no, don't" Aunt Hannah said
When you como to know Polly, you'll
find he's very interesting little fell
low. Have you heard him talk YETI
Talk! Why, no, Aunt Hannah; l
didn't know he could talk"
Aunt Hannah took Dorothy's band
in hers and went into tho living room.
Polly rustled his green wings eagerly
and called softly, Hello! hello,
auntie!" Then he ru6led his bright
feathers on his head while she stroked
them with a gentle finger and talked to
him.
Polly knows me, you See" Aunt
Hannah told Dorothy. And while ho
doesn't understand words, he knows
by the tones Of ones voice whether he
is being petted or scolded."
How cunning he Is. and how plain
he talks!" Dorothy cried. '1'm afraid,
auntie-I IN afraid did almost scold.
You see, he bit my finger and 1t made
me Jump"
Polly and Dorothy grew to be great
friends; but even then Polly was some
times naughty. He liked to be talked
to and petted SO much that the dollies
were sadly neglected, and when Dor
othy tried to play with them, Polly
sQuawked so loudly that she could not
hear herself talk.
"Give him something to do" Aunt
Hannah told her.. LET him have q bit
Of paper or bright clothing to pull to
pieces"
SO Dorothy hunted up bit Of bright
cardboard for him to play with.
"He doesn't get cross when he's got
something to do" Dorothy said, stand
ing to watch Polly at his play.
"Being busy keeps one happy" Aunt
Hannah said, smiling.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Margaret Lucille Herrick-
How to Win the War.
~ ~, mi. wor VIC must sava

To win this war we must save.
For instance, we should save our
pennies and nickels that we spend for
candy. chewing gum and picture shows
and buy thrift and war savings stamps.
We should also buy Liberty bonds
and belong to the Red Cross.
We should plant more vegetable gar.
dens and not SO many flowers.
The farmers should plant more grain
30 a. to make bread for our soldiers
fighting for our freedom.
We should also observe meatless
and wheatless days Of the week.
MaxYlrOt Lucille Herrick,
11es0qeellA-. 0a1a1z lossn,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Eva Price Girls at Center
School Knit Quilt.

Dear Editor:
This is the first time have ever
written. So thought would write how
to win the war. We should all or as
many as can should buy Liberty Bonds
or Thrift Stamps and War Savings
Stamps. The boys and girls could save
their money by not buying so much
candy and gum and other things not
usefulAI go to Center school and we
girls knit squares for the Red Cross
and the boys and three Of us girls
made checker boards. have one broth
er in the army working for Uncle Sam.
His name is Private Earl S. Price.
Eva Price,
Russell Iowa
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Maurine Richards0n-HOw
to Win the War

Dear Juniors:
haze never written to tho Junior be-
fore. I am writing How to win the
war"
To win the war we must save. We
must save our money to buy War Saw
ings Stamps, Thrift Stamps. and LIB
erty Bonds. We must also save wheat
and sugar. We must save the things
which will not spoil while being ship
per to our boys "over there"
Everybody must do their "bit" by
raising war gardens for the people here
to live upon.
The Red Cross is doing all they can
for the boys in many ways. Help the
Red Cross and you will be helping the
boys.
Maurine Richardson, age II,
>s3ox stN eigC,zfna. 10w1.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Violet Right History Of
Halloween.

John and Elsie woke up early on
halloween morning. They peeked out
the window and saw the bright sun
coming up over the hill.
"Oh goody," said Elsie to John, III
Is going to be just q fine day. Let's
get up now and begin to get ready to
make our Jack-o'-lanterns.
eyes, and we will make a ghost
too" said John, as he lay there about
to 30 to sleep aagin.
After breakfast they went out and
their father said that he didn't buy
them pumpkin, but they could 60
and get them each, one pumpkin from
the corafeld.
They went out and got as big q one
40 they could fnd and brought 1t back
to the house.
They sat down on the porch and be.
gan to, work to make q good face in 1t.
First they cut a hole in the top, then
the eyes, nose and mouth.
Elsie then thought Of q new plan
She said, II will make girl face and
you make q boy face" So she made
her face and went to get some silks
out Of an ear of corn for her hair.
John agreed, so he made a hoy face.
and for his hair he took some straws
out Of a broom which made It very
stiff.
Now the pumpkins were done and
they are ready to make the ghost, but
they have to eat lunch first.
After lunch they got an old chair
and took It to the yard, then they
found broom and put q face on 1t
and nailed It to the chair, then put q
cap on the head of the broom and GOV.
cred the rest with a sheet.
Nov We are ready for the even
Ing" said Elsie,
"Oh, NO. Not yet" said John, I'VE
have to rake up leaves for bon1lres
and we will do that next"
Now they were ready for the even.
ing, although it was only 8 O'Clock, SO
they went and sat on the porch to
talk over what else they should do
that evening.
After. supper they toasted marsh
mallowS, roasted weenies ana apples.
ducked their heads under water for
pears and built bonfires. John was
the boss Of everything thought Elsie.
Soon It was time for bed.
They didn't wake up so early the
next morning, but they are now wait
ing and wishing for the next hal
lowe'en.
Hoping to see my letter in print, I
will close.
Violet Right, age IL years.
r. r. No. 1, Ottumwa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Catherine Burke - Hel
Father and Mother Have
Liberty Bonds.

Dear Juniors:
How to win the war.
We must save wheat and meat and
buy Liberty Bonds. war savings and
thrift stamps and plant gardens in our
back yards, join the Red Cross, sew
and knit for the boys over there; and
that is not much.
I have two sisters and one brother.
We each have war savings stamp
and thrift card very near full OF
stamps. We are going to get more. I
want to see how many can get.
John Burke, Age 9.
GIG West Mill st. Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
sEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIOR

oEvEN RULES FOR THE JUNIOR
/. Use one side Of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and legtbly, using
Ink or shurp load pencil.
8. Always sign your name In full
and state your ago.
4. Do not copy stories or poetry
and send US as your own work.
s. Number your pages.
\ 8. Always state choice Of a prize
On n separate piece Of paper, with
Hsme and address in full.
Z. Address envelope to The Courier.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
THE COURIER JUNIOR
DEPARTMENT
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.
OttumWa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA pEVEREAUH
ANEW CONTEST

Dear Juniors: What Will Do This
Vacation" seems timely subject for
a new contest. There are great open
ings for we'll spent vacation this
year. 'Well spent" according to the
meaning Of to-day" is a busy vaca-
ton. We want all the Juniors to write
on this subject. The contest opens to-
day and closes Monday, April 20. The
writer's can select their prizes from
among the following: May basket, pic
mic basket or a box of war time candy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
John Burke I'VE Must Save
Meat and Buy Bonds"

Dear Juniors:
My father and mother both have
Liberty Bonds. I think that most
everybody can buy them. We must
win this war by saving wheat and
meat.
have war savings stamp and a
thrift card very near full Of stamps.
I think that every boy and girl can
do this much and have garden in
the back yard.
I eat war bread at every meal.
Catherine Burke, Age z.
GIG West Mill st. Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
A young girl in school was repr

A young girl in school was repri-
manded for mispronouncing the word
picturesque" In return she ex-
planned that she had used the first e
where it acknowledgements the
remaining letters spelled sque. She
had pronounced 1t picturesque. In JUS
tification Of her conclusions she said
that no letter should be left at such
loose ends in any word. She was al
mott victorious. but her confusion
came later when an older sister at
most provoking times would assure
her that her, costume was exceedingly
Ea,ScS uEeuama
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
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
appeared in this paper, it is because
the wrong address has been given US.
When we say wrong address we
especially refer to incomplete ad-
dresses. All city Juniors should put
their street number and all Juniors
living In the country should put their
boz number or failing to have . box
send in their parents names.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Among the Eskimos
of Labrador

What will you do II we canno
reach homer" l asked Johannes, one
afternoon, as we labored through the
drifting snow in the teeth Of an arc
tic storm.
"stop and build snow house, said
he.
"Will you be able to find good snow
in this weather."
"Find good snow" said Johannes
with look Of surprise. Il can always
find good snow"
When the afternoon light began tc
grow dull, he pulled out one Of the
big snow. knives, an appalling weapon
with bone handle and blade yard
long. Banishing this, he trotted from
side to side, prodding here and jab
bing there. He was finding snow.'
Soon Julius stopped the sledge, and
they held q consultation.
When the place was chosen-it was
a gently sloping hillside, for there the
snow hardens the best-my drivers
were soon at work. Each man armed
himself with his huge snow-knife, and
between them they marked q circle
to the middle and began to dig. He
first made a wedge-shaped hole. to
give himself a start, and then from
the sides of the hole he carved great
slabs of the frozen snow. Judged
them to be about six or eight inches
thick, two or three feet long, and
eighteen inches high, and they were
nearly as heavy a. stone.
Johannes just tumbled them out OF
his hole as fast as he could cut them,
and, as the hole greaw, saw that the
slabs were all slightly curved. Julius
seized each slab as 1t toppled out,
and carried It gingerly to the edge OF
the circle. He set the slabs on edge,
side by side, and Clipped them Q
little from the top, 80 that they leaned
inward. H pared away the first few
with his knife, so that the lowest ring
formed the beginning Of a spiral. He
followed the spiral up, propping each
slab against its neighbor, and chip.
ping its edge SO that it leaned well In
ward.
Meanwhile Johannes got nearer and
nearer the wall with his digging and
his work got harder and harder, for
instead Of tumbling the slabs out he
had to pick them up and hand them
to julius over the leaning wall.
thought the wall looked frail and I'm
safe. but Julius seemed to think other
wise, for he crawled up on 1t and
leaned over to see how Johannes was
getting on inside. AS q matter of
fact, his weight only pressed the
slabs together a bit more firmly.
At last the spiral was finished all
but the keystone" Julius sprawled
ON the side of the house, while
Johannes hands showed big slab
through the opening that still 10
manned at the top. julius laid It over
the hole, and Clipped the edges away
with his knife until 1t gently dropped
into place.
A scraping and trampling noise was
next heard inside the house; that was
Johannes smoothing the floor. Mean
while, Julius was filing all the crew
ices with snow, to keep out tho wind.
Soon Johannes was ready to come
out. His sword poked out suddenly
and slashed q doorway In the wall.
and then the man himself crawled
out. The house was flnished-Dr. s.
K Hutton.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Max Gavin-How to Win
the War.
Dear Junior;

Dear Junior:
AS this is my first letter have
written to the Courier Junior am go
ing to tell how TO win the war.
Every body hates the war and they
should do something to help win tho
war. Some people can buy Liberty
Bonds and people who cannot buy
Liberty Bonds can buy thrift stamps.
Nearly every body can raise war
gardens and send food to the soldiers.
And we should not eat 30 much % We
did before the war. We should send
clothes to the soldiers and the women
can knit for them.
Max Gavin, Age IL
41S Vernon Ave-, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
Dean Johnson-My Little
Dog Trix

Dear Juniors:
want to tell you about my little
dog. I call It Trix. It is all white and
she wakes me every morning. had
the measles and my dog was lots of
company for me.
Dean johnson, Age 6.y
234 North Hancock street, Ottumwa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26

AZ RS. Alice Roosevelt Longworth
Nv buying Liberty bond from
Av1 a Girl Scout at Washington. In
addition to buying bonds from the
small Girl Scouts on the street at
Washington, Mrs. Longworth is also
busy selling them. She is a salesman
every day at Liberty Loan booth in
one of the Washington hotels.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26

Two little boys witnessed balloon
ascension for the first time decently
"Oh, look, look there!" exclaimed the
youngest. what is that?"
It's a bloon!' replied tho elder.
What makes it go up 80 fast!"
Gas"
What is gas :"
why. -
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
eAsYs PRIVATE TROLLEY LINE

eAeYs PRIVATE TROLLEY LINE.
A certain city in South Carolina
owns its lighting plant and employs
~ superintendent young man who
is an original and enthusiastic cleo
trician. He recently became the
father Of vigorous son, who de-
manded a great deal Of attention, .
large part Of which was contributed
by the father in rolling . baby car
riage up and down the long shady
porch. 1t was here that electric gen
JUS came to his aid.
A strong iron cable was strung the
whole length of the porch. A little
crib with wheels on it, something like
a cash-basket in drygoods store, was
made and suspended on the cable. BY
means Of cord attached to the crib.
and operated by sewing machine
motor, the crib moves along the cable.
and, when it reaches the end, the
motor is automatically reversed, and
the crib goes to the other end, and 30
on. BY the turning Of a switch the
baby 10 kept quiet and happy inde6.
nitely.-Popular Mechanics.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26

Seven-year-old Evana agreed to q
plan to help break her Of the habit of
sucking her thumb. Accordingly, one
night that favorite member was we'll
wrapped up in piece Of cloth. But
the little ones resolution gave way
before she fell asleep; and, bursting
into tears, she sobbed, Its the first
time my thumb was ever stopped
UNI"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
ANOTHER CONTEST.

We also want the juniors who
think the other subjects are too hard
to write on one of the following sub
tects.
The Story Of q Nickel.
My Best Friend.
"A Pet 0oa.
Corn and Apples.
sweet Potatoes and Cotton.
"A letter.
Select prizes from among the fol.
lowing: Game, nag, football, doll,
Knife or book,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
THE PRIZE WINNERS

Today the three judges have award
cd prizes to Anna McMullen and Rob-
art Powell for their excellent work.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26
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'
Ing their own subjects. We especially
want letters and ancestor stories. To
encourage originality and variety In
the juniors work the following list Is
given:
War Savings stamps.
Liberty Bonds.
The Rcd Cross.
A Soldier In France.
What We Are Doing for the Soldier.
How to Win the War.
George Washington.
Abraham Lincoln.
Our Presidents.
Patriotic Duties Of Today.
School competitions.
Ancestor stories.
Interesting letters.
Book reviews.
Unusual stories.
Soldier stories related by veterans
and rstoId by Juniors.
Select prizes from among the fol-
lowing: Book, box of letter paper;
doll. box Of school supplies. knitting
needles. flower seeds or knife.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26

RESIDENT WILSON ride battle
Gently visited
: the while enthusiastic
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26

Media Bevans, Age III.
Batavia, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-26

GIG West Mill st,