davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Hazel Pauline McCme-l
Little Boy and q Fairy.

Dear Juniors:
I am q girl eight years old l
thought I would write to Tho Junior,
as I have never written before.
am going to write about NY Best
Friend"
My best friend is Jesus. n Il
wasn't for Jesus I would not b living
now, neither would you. The beauti.
full green grass In the summer would
not grow, the beautiful roses would
not bloom. We wouldn't have the
beautiful snow (which We all love)
and We wouldn't even have the beau.
tiful Christmastide. We Ill ought to
be thankful for Jesus, because he died
on the cross for US.
Your friend,
Hazel Kendall, age 3,
OttumWa, Iowa.
R R 8.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Isabel Watts-Her Grand
father Wilkins A Hero of
the Civil War.

Lear JunlOIS.
I am an old Junior and thought
would tell you about my Grandfather
wilkins. He is 81 years old the 10Th
of February. He only has q birthday
every four years. He served three
years in the Civil war. He enlisted
in February, 1861, and was mustered
out in February, 1864. The Battle OF
Shiloh was his first battle. He was
in many others and has seen many
hardships. At one time he went
three days and nights without food
or anything to drink. He was on a
long march. He had bullet wound
in his front finger. He belonged to
Co. D, 18th Iowa Volunteers.
He had quite an accident over two
years ago. Ny uncle got a new
auto and on October Is they started
down below Selma to Jake Sedore's
home to spend the day. My grand
father went with them. When they
got down below Selma little way,
the car went OF a bridge. breaking
Grandpa's thigh and the bone went
through the flesh, his pants and his
raincoat and about four inches into
the ground. and mashed his nose, cut
a cash in his head. They set his leg
and dressed his wounds down at Sci.
ma and then Harry Sedore brought
him home in his car. It was about
six months before he could get up
from his bed. He now can go down
town on his clutches. He says he
suffered more with his broken leg than
all of the three years In service In
the war.
Isabelle Watts, age II IN,
los North Davis Sereek,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Thelma OsbOrne-The Story
of the ''Sky Lark"

Dear Juniors
AS have not written to the Juniors
I will write now. The title is "The
Song of the Skylark." The picture
was painted by Jules Breton. Jules
Breton was French painter. He was
born in France in the year Of 1927; he
died in 1906. Mr.. Breton tried to paint
his pictures and show love and JOY and
happiness Of the people which be
painted in the picture.
Millet, another artist, showed the
hardships and sufferings Of the people
There is copy of the "Song of the
Skylark" in the Art Institute In
Chicago.
The girl is a peasant girl. She is
"a native of France. She has on her
native costumes. She has in her hand
a sickle with which she is going to cut
the grain of the field. She has car
on her head, brown skirt and light
blue waist. She has no shoes on her
feet, for that is not the custom of the
peasants.
This girl is strong, healthy girl
She is heavily built She is the pic
ture of health. 1t is like the little
poem. Health Is the Greatest
Wealth"
In the background is the sun rising
out of the eastern heavens. The whole
picture is bathed in color of the sun
One can also see the farm houses
and haystacks, and the trees just wax
ing up from the nights rest and sleep,
In the foreground is the rough
meadow where the girl is standing
listening to the sweet, merry notes OF
the skylark as he scars high in the
blue sky.
As my story is growing long. I will
close.
Thelma Osborne, age II years.
922 Railroad St, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Alice Pyle-A New. Junior
Writes a Very Newsy
Letter.
Dear Junior:

Dear Junior:
AS l have never written to The
Courier Junior, thought would like
to write. / am little girl ten years
old. go to school every day. ! am
in the nth grade. My teachers name
is Mrs. Curtiss and I like her Just
fine. have two brothers and two
sisters. Their names are: Eva, Enc,
Orville and Francis. My sister, Edie,
is married and lives In Avery. She
and her children were down for Christ.
mas and we had q dandy time. ~
ceived a big doll and lots Of oehee
nice things.
Well. as my letter is getting long.
I will bring 1t to q close, hoping that
it will be printed.
Yours truly,
Alice PyA.
RidWell, Iowa,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Beth Bahwin-The Flag.

l have never written to the Junior
page and thought that I would write
about 1.-THE Flag"
The colors of the flag are red, white
and blue. It has forty-eight stars and
thirteen stripes. The thirteen stripes
stand for the thirteen original states.
The forty-eight stars stand for the
forty-eight states admitted to the
union in later years. The first flag
was made by Betsy Ross. Flags are
made Of cotton and silk and there are
both large and small. MY papa saw q
flag in Chicago that was 20 by so feet
When was at the state fair in Des
Moines last summer / saw 1,600 SOL
diers march out in front of the amphi-
theater and with due ceremony they
raised large flag. My-how every
body cheefed!
BmA 8n1au1n- a0n =
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Alice Jones' Compositions
Red Riding Hood.

Dear Juniors
have not written for long time
and I thought ! would write to you.
I received the card you sent me and
thank you for it. l will write COM
position about Red Riding Hood.
Once upon time little girls moth
er asked her if she could 60 to her
grandma's house and take some cake
to her. Her mother had made her a
pretty red hood and they called her
Red Riding Hood. though her name
was not that. She said she would go.
and on her way she met wolf and he
was going to eat her up but some wood
cutters near by came and scared it
away. The wolf said to himself that
he would nab her yet. so off he ran
through the woods to the girls grand
mas house and knocked at the door,
but no one came. He lifted the latch
and walked in.
The woman wasn't there and her
bed wasn't made and her night cap
was on the chair. He put it on and
got in the bed.
When Red Riding Hood came she
knocked at the door. He said, "Come
HI IIACu W llldhc ulS NOlSC oOl',
but he could not, but she came in and
said, II have. brought you some cake, ="
and he said, "Come to the bedside"
and she did, and she said, Grandma,
what makes your voice so rough?"
"Only a cold, my dear"
what makes your ears so long,"
"The better to hear you, my dear"
What makes your nose so long,"
sThe better to smell your cake, my
dear"
What makes your teeth so big?"
1.-THE better to eat you up"
Just then the wood cutters and her
grandma came in and the men killed
the wolf. Then the girls grandma
gave her a drink and took her home.
I will close now. Goodbye.
Alice Jones, age TO-
Anderson, Alta. Canada.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
ANOTHER CONTEST.

We also want the Juniors who
think the other subjects are too hard
to write on one of the following SUBJ
jects.
The Story Of Nickel.
My Best Friend.
A Pet Doa.
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, 1918-01-04
Henry Parker-Sends Story
Written for His Lam
guage Lesson.

In faraW2y country near the road
side was beautiful house. In gar.
den nearby were all kinds of lovely
flowers.
Outside the fence grew little
daisy which thought the people would
never see it, but always look at the
other flowers.
Soon little bird few down straight
to the daisy and loved and kissed 1t.
How happy the little flower was. In
the morning a little girl came into
the garden and cut all the other how-
ers but did not see the daisy. Just
then it heard the little lark singing a
very sad song because it had been
caught by two boys and put in cage.
They did not put any water in the
cage for the little bird to drink and
it was almost dead Of thirst. They
came into the garden to get some
grass for it to eat and took the piece
where the daisy was. The lark and
daisy were so glad to see each other.
but in two days the lark put its head
down to the daisy and both OF them
died together.
Then the boys cried and dug q grave
for the bird but threw the daisy out
in the road.
dear Editor:
am q little boy eight years old and
am in the second reader. My teacher
had me write a story for my Ian
guage lesson. so am sending It for
other little boys and girls to read and
hope 1t may be printed.
Your friend,
Henry Parker, ago 8,
Batavia, Iowa,
=
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Gladys KendaI-Book Re.
view, "Our Little Hawai-
ian Cousin"
Dear Juniors:

Dear Junl0f0:
I am q girl ten years old. l haven't
written for q long time. This time
my subject is "A Book Review" The
name is "Om Little Hawaiian Cous
in" Her name was Anwae.
She is 4 beautiful child but she ha1
! no thought Of it. She sits in front Of
her low cottage home singing q soft
sweet song, weaving garland Of
flowers to put on her head. As she
is doing this. she looks up at the
American nag floating in the breezes
not far away. Anwae bathes herself
frequently with cocoanut oil, which
makes her skin soft and shiny. Hel
home stands in a grove Of the tai
cocoa palms, which are beauties. The
breeze makes low, sweet music as II
moves gently across the tree tops and
keeps company with Anwae's song.
In one corner of their house, or hut
lie collection Of bowls, or calabashes
as they are called. There are hardly
enough for the people who como from
the little villages to eat from. All
days are holidays to Anvae and hel
relatives.
As for weather there 10 no word fo1
it in Havaiia. All days are alike to
them.
Both cooking and eating are done
out Of doors. For today's dinner there
is roast beef to eat with poi and co
coanut milk. For desert there are
delicious wild strawberries. There are
forty different fruits growing neal
Anwae's house.
"Poi." is used instead Of bread in
Hawaiia, and it is pink or lavender
in color. After dinner a pipe and
tobacco are passed for smoke. After
smoking they go bathing and swim
SO good that It would astonish the
people in other countries.
One day Anwae saw an American
girl. isn't she lovely" thought An.
wac. Mamma, mamma dear" she
cries. why didn't God make me like
my little white cousin?" Her mother
answered her kindly and Anwae was
happy again. But mother" she said,
For Christmas I want a doll just like
the little white girl saw, with curiey
hair, too."
He mother promises her one and
Anwae runs away to 90 to bed. To.
morrow is school day and Anwae
goes to sleep quickly.
Well, will close hoping to see this
in print.
Your Junior friend,
Gladys Kendall, Age 10.
Ottumwa, r. s. care A. F. Hankammer.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
THE COURIER JUNIOR
DEPARTMENT
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING co,
OttumWa, Iowa
EDITOR
MATILDA DEVEREAux
CONTEST CLOSES JANUARY ~.

Dear Juniors: AS the contest an
nounced last week does not close until
Saturday, January -, we will ask all
the Juniors to write on one Of the fol-
lowing subjects:
History OF the Red Cross.
The Local Red Cross.
Work Of the Red Cross.
The prize for the best composition
will be a membership in the Red
Cross, which, of course, entities the
winner to a Red Cross pin.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Wayne Sylvester-A New
Junior Who Lives on a
Farm Near FarSOn.
Dear Juniors

Dear Juniors:
AS l have never written to The
Courier Junior before I thought
would write and try to win one Of
your prizes. I am a boy ten years
old and live on farm near Farson.
go to school at Lowell. My teach.
er's name is Lena Sauer. take read
ing, writing, history, arithmetic, Ian.
guage, geography, physiology and
spelling.
AS my letter is getting long, I will
close, hoping to see my letter in print
Yours truly,
WxyDo.SdlSesAR
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

A small boy ambitious to be skilful
artist drew on the blackboard long,
shapeless something, and when asked
what it was replied, "It's the tail of a
dreadful dragon" "But where's the
dragon?" "Oh, it wouldn't do to draw
him, he's such a dreadful dragon"
New Century Journal =.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
4 Silent Witness

MoIucI, why U0 you hanging
looking glass there!" asked James.
looking ut It curiously. such . pretty
one. too" he continued. 1T seams 70
mo, I should want it where It might
be seen oftener."
II want 1t right hero IN the dining
room, whore 1t can See" answered his
mother. laughingly. II am putting It
here for witness"
"A witness!" sopffed James. ut
can't tell anything"
I'VE shall see. It win tail your
faults TO you as well as to others"
I'd like to know how"
At supper James found that he and
his brother Ned were to sit side BY
side, facing the glass.
What's that fort" demanded both
at once.
"Yor father and I think best TO
have It so" explained their mother.
The boys sat down with soovls ON
their faces and an air of great injury.
Ned happened to. raise his eyes, when
the ludiczousness Of the frowning re-
Elections struck him so forcibly that
1t provoked q shout Of laughter.
What is the matter with your
growled James, looking up TO make m
ugly face, when his attention also vas
arrested by the truthful mirror His
startled stare added 80 much to Ned's
glee that he began to thrust out his
tongue at James. The silent remind.
or brought him to sudden stop.
Il see you are caught also." re-
marked his father, quietly.
The boys were silent. The day fol-
lowing. their experiences were fepeat.
ed with such good results that their
mother was beginning to congratulate
herself on the success Of her plan.
In her absence from home several
weeks. while attending her mother in
. serious illness, the boys had acquired
the habit Of pickering 1T the table,
greatly to the humiliation Of their
parents.
Their silent witness had been with
them two days when their cousin, q
bright, manly little fellow, came to
visit them.
At dinner Mrs. Lane said, William,
you may sit between James and Ned,
where you can all enjoy yourselves"
But, oh, how two boys redeemed as
the mirror showed them how beauti-
fully Williams hair was combed and
INV luOAA ONu SOuZly LUCAS lOOkSO
in comparison. Their mother had re.
NAMED discreetly silent and allowed
them to see for themselves.
Ned spoke first.
Mother, will you excuse me . min
ute?"
Certainly" agreed his mother.
"And me, tooT questioned James.
They returned with shining faces
and well-brushed hair and smiled ut
each other over the changed re1ec-
tons. II William noticed. he was too
much Of a gentleman to say anything.
but three pairs Of eyes returned often
to the pleasing picture.
1T is nice, isn't it?'' said Mr.. lane.
WHAT" asked all three at onco.
Three good looking boys In . row."
"Oh." answered William, IT believe
auntie had a reason for putting the
glass there"
After Williams visit was over and
he had returned home, James came to
his mother.
Mother" he said: "yoQ1 witness il
all right. couldn't understand b.
tore. but I do now. and vote that We
keep it there"
Vote carried BY big majority"
shouted Ned.
"Very WELL" promised mother; 1T
shall stay with you q long As you
want It. A silent witness, but . good
friend"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Christmas Gifts
Astray

Continued From Last Week.)
''Im so glad you like them," said
Edna. "Now, if you'll come down we
can have some teal"
Over the pretty tea table the two
girls chatted in a friendly way, and in
little while Edna understood the am.
bition that filled Susie, and Susie re.
allied the understanding.
Then Grace had to come in, and to
Edna's horror she saw that her sister
held the box which had contained the
purple calico!
please put that down. she said
agitatedly. Grace, this is Miss West
over. This is my sister" She turned
to Grace.
Did you bring back Mrs. Gray's
present." asked Grace.
Eyes, and received my own" an
swered Susie, happily.
ooh, no; here is yours" said Grace.
Edna snatched the box from her Sis
ter's hand.
"You don't understand, Grace" she
said. I've entertained Miss West
over, and I've
Susie had risen, suspecting some
thing, she hardly knew what.
81 don't know what you mean, dear, j."
said Grace, puzzled. This is the par
eel from Mrs. Gray that was not for
you!"
Edna looked as unhappy and con-
fused as though she had been de-
tected in wrong doing.
II am sure this must be for you,"
went on Grace, handing the box-on
which the direction showed plainly
to Susie.
Then (Susie opened her bag and
took out the beads) whose are
these?"
"Why, Edna! Uncle Georges beads!
His last birthday present." cried
Grace.
Susie turned to Edna, whose eyes
were full of tears.
"Why, why'-she began, but Edna
said quickly
81 wanted you to have something
pretty-something like what you'd
been thinking your own all day."
oh" said Grace, who was kind
hearted, but not very intelligent, III
I've interfered, I'm sorry, dear"
A very happy look was on Susie's
face.
ut was SO lovely of you to think of
it," she said to Edna. II shall always
be glad to know you felt SO. But I'll
take my own gift, and thank you all
the same"
She hurried away. for Grace was
trying to comfort Edna.
Over the calico gown the Westovers
both laughed and cried.
1T will be nice to sit in, in the
evenings said Mrs. Westover.
81 shall always love it." cried Susie.
at introduced me to a lovely, lovely
girl-and l feel as though she would
be friend!"
They were sitting down to a simple
supper, when a special delivery mes
senger broke the quiet Of their Christ
mas evening. j
"Its the beads!" cried Susie. un-
in her surprise, as she
opened the packet Then she read the
note:
Dear Miss Westover-Please take
these from me! And hope ! shall see
you at the Office tomorrow. My father
and both want to see you. Yours
very sincerely, with best Christmas
wishes, Edna Bright"
Susie touched the purple calico low
ingly.
"You see,' she explained, ut has
brought me a new friend, where had
imagined-almost foe! Lovely purple
CALICO"
Some children on their way to
Christmas tree, sang as they went by:
peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heavens all-gracious King"
Good will all around" murmured
Susie at the window. This has been
such nice Christmas day."
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Doris CockerHS SOldie
Brother Is Somewhere
In France

Dear Juniors: thought vUaM
write again.
MY papa takes The Courier. me-
to read the Junior page very much
Ny brother IL In the 16Sth lnh1txy
and is somewhere In Fnncas I do
hope the boys won't have 20 dghk.
Ny papa and mamma Joined the Red
Cross.
Well rs my letter Is getting long. I
win close.
Desb CocAnsA /.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

JOLLY American
have made friends in France and some of their appear
. kids with
There may be an that fat men
maon and friendship that so often between the American boys
kindness something of the Amer
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-08

asleep now. but with its fingers still
holding tight TO Darius own.
Some time later in his ubrart
Darius sat thinking. From above.
the sound OF a baby's voice came
down 20 him and as ne smoked h-
planned for the years ahead be
did not want TO leave GreenvilIs
now. the boy must be educated. of
course. but he must carry 0u tfe
business and the name Darius
would tell the foreman n the morn
ing 20 put back the old sign. Green
& Son. over the factory entrance.
A baby's laugh sounded through the
house. usually so silent
Darius started-he had NOE
thought Of that part Of 1.-THE come
partnership. the games they would
play. the talks they would have.
and the travelling they would do ,o-
gether Why. ne would take the
boy 20 Italy,
Next day the news of the adon-
ton Of the baby having spread
through the town. Darius was again
the subject OF discussion as De hur-
ried past the postoHce AS usual.
old Snas Perkins was the first %
speak.
ct reckon YOU was riEht yester-
day. Jep Taylor" he said knowing
Iy. ct calculate she didn't die ~ 70
broken heart at all IL was the pueu-
monfa."
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-08
REPUBLIC DEALER
SOUNDS WARNING
Urges Owners and Operators
to Protect Trucks Dur
ing Winter.

With 50 great share OF the
worlds commercial burden 20 carry.
the motor truck. now more than
ever before. must bee kept in con-
tinuous operation regardless Of
weather conditions" says the local
distributor of Republic internal gear
drive motor trucks
a new era is Just dawning. The
great task OF reconstruction viii de-
7nand our undivided attention for a
long ti-le 20 come. our ability TO
meet and surmount the manifold
problems OF the hour VIII depend
81 great measure upon our success
81 keeping every channel open for
the quick transportation Of supplies
OF every description. for use here
and In the devastated sections Of
Europe. To relax our energy in this
direction. because of the severity Of
the weather. would mean "a general
Slowing up OF most all important
postwar activity.
Jack Frost. arch enemy OF the
motor vehicle. IS no respecter of per
sOns. He will 20 out Of his way 20
pay his compliments 10 a truck radi-
atOr The water jack us Of the cyl
fnders seem 20 be his especial favor
ites-and II Is no trouble whatever
for him 10 quickly CONCEAL the wa
ter W. hin. The Expectations Of this
frosty fellow are 20 be feared not
only because OF the uncOmfortabIy
large repair bills ne is capable Of
causing. but, most of all, because he
IS very apt 10 put your truck out Of
service entirely. Too much depends
upon motor trucks these days TO risk
such an OccuranCe.
My advice to truck owners and
drivers now is to provide themselves
with a few gallons of denatured al
cohol. and as the weather turns in
a decided manner feed little into
the radiator, thus protecting the
truck against damage which will
surely come otherwise. The proper
tiOns depend upon the temperature.
To. VIII require a 5 per cent solution
OF alcohol 10 prevent freezing at IS
degrees. and "A % per cent solution
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-08
Story of a Hard Man
By Phoebe Sheffield

left him free to follow out his
dream. to shake the dust of Green
Vile off his feet and to spend the
remaindr of his days in Italy
As he stopped at the station to
inquire into the non. arrival OF some
goods, the station master hailed
him.
There's a car full of orphans on
that train just in" he said. Finest
little youngsters brought out from
the east for adoption. If 1 hadn't
six hungry little mouths TO I'll a.
ready. I'd surely take that little
chap"
Darius looked where the man
pointed and laughed outright for the
first time in many a day. A dark
haired, dark-eyed boy OF two or
three years sat looking out the car
window and at sight Of the two meP
a happy gUrgle broke from his lips
Daddy" he called, waving his
hand in their direction.
He means YOU" the station mas
ter said delightedly. slapping his
knee. 60 over and talk TO him"
A wave Of something very like
fear swept over Darius. He had
never known children. had never
been interested in them. but some
thing about this baby drew him 10
the opened car window. AS he put
up his hand small fingers clutched
his big ones and held them tight.
MY daddy" the small voice said
conhdingly II love you"
Darius looked up and down the
platform hoping there was no one
bout 10 see this performance. but
the station was deserted for the
minute. He tried 10 draw his fin
gers away but the baby only
clutched them tighter and. 10 Da-
RUS dismay, broke into dismal
howl.
There, there" Darius found him.
self saying in a soothing tone. AMI
vas delighted 10 see the tears give
way 10 smiles. Darius decided that
this special baby was different fro n